Team Lead, Manufacturing

Team Leader, Manufacturing

The Team Leader, Manufacturing provides frontline leadership for a manufacturing team, ensuring the safe, efficient, and consistent production of quality products that meet customer expectations. This role is responsible for driving daily performance across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and People (SQDCP) while fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and employee engagement. The Team Leader coaches and develops team members, removes barriers to performance, and applies the Watlow Business System (WBS) to achieve operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Safety

• Promote and maintain a strong safety culture by ensuring compliance with all safety policies and procedures.
• Lead daily safety activities, risk identification, and corrective actions.
• Ensure team members receive required safety training and consistently follow safe work practices.

People Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop production team members to achieve high levels of performance and engagement.
• Conduct regular performance discussions, provide timely feedback, and recognize accomplishments.
• Foster a culture built on teamwork, accountability, respect, and inclusion.
• Support onboarding and training of new employees while developing cross-functional capabilities within the team.

Quality

• Ensure products consistently meet customer and quality requirements.
• Lead problem-solving activities using Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) methodologies.
• Drive adherence to standardized work and continuous improvement initiatives to reduce defects and waste.

Delivery & Operations

• Direct daily manufacturing operations to safely achieve production schedules and customer commitments.
• Manage staffing, attendance, and labor resources to optimize productivity and meet capacity requirements.
• Monitor production performance and quickly resolve issues impacting throughput or delivery.
• Utilize visual management and daily operating systems to drive performance improvements.

Continuous Improvement

• Apply Lean Manufacturing principles to improve operational performance.
• Participate in and lead Kaizen events and other continuous improvement activities.
• Identify opportunities to eliminate waste, improve processes, and enhance productivity.

Communication & Collaboration

• Communicate effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Partner with Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Human Resources, and other functional teams to resolve issues and improve operations.
• Support organizational initiatives and effectively communicate business objectives to the production team.

Qualifications

Preferred Education

• Associate degree in Manufacturing, Business, or a related field preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant manufacturing leadership experience in lieu of a degree.

Preferred Experience

• Previous experience leading or supervising employees in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with production scheduling, workforce planning, and performance metrics.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong leadership and coaching skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities.
• Proven problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to analyze operational metrics and drive performance improvements.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement tools.
• Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and manufacturing systems.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to build collaborative working relationships across departments.

Benefits:
The Watlow Total Compensation Plan

The health, well-being and financial stability of you and your family is a high priority to us. The Watlow Total Rewards Plan includes competitive compensation and a full range of life and career enhancing benefits:

• Annual Incentive Program
• 401(k) plan that includes a company match on your contribution and an annual company contribution that is tied to company performance
• Wellness incentives
• Employee Personal Assistance Program
• Dental, medical, vision and short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Paid holidays, personal time, and vacation
• Parental leave
• Tuition reimbursement

Diversity & Inclusion

We proactively embrace diversity in all its dimensions across our company and cultivate a culture of inclusion and forward thinking that respects and reflects each team member's individual strengths, views, and experiences. Watlow takes pride in being an inclusive equal opportunity employer and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Please let us know confidentially if you need or require any special accommodations to participate in our recruiting process by emailing us at