Operations​/Production Lead

Location: Missouri
Compensation: $25-$30 per hour
Reports To: Plant Manager
Company: Fortune 500 Manufacturing Company

Our client, a Fortune 500 manufacturing organization, is seeking an Operations / Production Lead to support daily production activities and help drive safety, quality, productivity, and employee engagement on the manufacturing floor.

This is an excellent opportunity for an emerging manufacturing leader who enjoys being hands‑on, leading hourly employees, problem-solving in a fast‑paced environment, and wearing multiple hats across production, operations, inventory, and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Lead day-to-day production activities to ensure safety, quality, delivery, and productivity goals are achieved.
• Provide frontline leadership and direction to hourly production employees.
• Support the Plant Manager in executing operational priorities and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Monitor production schedules and coordinate labor resources to meet customer demand.
• Utilize ERP systems to manage production data, inventory transactions, work orders, and operational reporting.
• Train, coach, and develop production employees while fostering accountability and teamwork.
• Assist with employee performance management, attendance tracking, and workforce planning.
• Troubleshoot production issues and coordinate corrective actions to minimize downtime.
• Support inventory accuracy, material flow, and operational efficiency initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with company safety policies, quality standards, and manufacturing procedures.
• Partner with maintenance, quality, warehouse, and supply chain teams to support overall plant performance.
• Perform a variety of operational responsibilities as needed in a dynamic manufacturing environment.

• High school diploma or GED required;
  Associate's or Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Experience working in a manufacturing environment.
• Previous manufacturing leadership experience, including direct oversight of hourly employees.
• Experience utilizing ERP systems within a production or operations setting.
• Ability to effectively lead, motivate, and develop frontline manufacturing personnel.
• Comfortable wearing multiple hats and supporting a variety of operational functions.
• Strong problem‑solving, communication, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and production reporting tools.

• Experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Exposure to Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, or Six Sigma methodologies.
• Experience with production scheduling, inventory control, or warehouse operations.
• Demonstrated ability to drive productivity and employee engagement initiatives.

The ideal candidate is a hands‑on manufacturing professional who enjoys being on the production floor, leading people, solving problems, and supporting plant operations wherever needed. This individual should be comfortable balancing employee leadership, operational execution, and administrative responsibilities while helping the facility achieve its performance goals.

Compensation: $25-$30/hour, depending on experience.