Lead Production Operator

Full Time Regular DIRECT Melbourne, FL, US

Job Opportunity:
Lead Production Operator Level 4 - Elevate Electronics Manufacturing with SMTC!

About Us: At SMTC Corporation, our purpose is to enhance people's lives and our world every day. Join us in this exciting journey, making a significant impact on the manufacturing of cutting-edge electronics products. We're dedicated to excellence and innovation, and we're seeking an enthusiastic professional to contribute to our mission.

Summary:

The Lead Production Operator 4 (PO
4) is responsible for coordinating the daily activities of the assigned production area while performing advanced electronic and mechanical assembly operations. This role serves as the technical lead by coordinating workflow, assigning daily work, supporting employee training, monitoring production performance, and ensuring products are manufactured in accordance with customer requirements, quality standards, and production schedules.

Working closely with Manufacturing Supervisors, Engineering, Quality, Materials, and Production leadership, the Lead Production Operator provides day-to-day operational guidance, supports continuous improvement initiatives, and promotes a safe, efficient, and high-performing manufacturing environment.

Essential Functions:

• Coordinate daily production activities by assigning work, balancing workloads, and supporting production schedules to achieve safety, quality, delivery, and productivity objectives.
• Perform advanced electronic and mechanical assembly operations while supporting multiple production processes, including component preparation, manual assembly, selective solder support, post-wave operations, mechanical assembly, and final product packaging as required.
• Monitor production performance, work-in-process (WIP), quality yields, labor utilization, and production efficiency while responding to changing production priorities.
• Verify production readiness by reviewing work orders, build plans, bills of material (BOMs), tooling, materials, assembly documentation, and component availability prior to production.
• Perform routine line audits, in-process inspections, and quality verification activities to ensure compliance with customer specifications, IPC workmanship standards, and manufacturing procedures.
• Coordinate resolution of production, quality, material, tooling, and equipment issues by collaborating with Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Materials, and Maintenance personnel.
• Support root cause analysis and corrective action activities by identifying production trends, documenting issues, implementing corrective measures, and verifying effectiveness.
• Train, mentor, and provide on-the-job instruction to Production Operators while supporting onboarding, cross-training, skills development, and standardized work practices.
• Monitor compliance with Leader Standard Work, ESD controls, safety procedures, 5S practices, manufacturing documentation, and established production processes.
• Maintain accurate production records, shift turnover documentation, WIP transactions, production reporting, and operational metrics to support production continuity.
• Escalate significant production, quality, staffing, material, tooling, or safety concerns to the Manufacturing Supervisor while providing recommendations for resolution.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality, productivity, waste reduction, standardized work, safety, and operational excellence.

Lead Responsibilities:

• Provide day-to-day work direction, guidance, and technical support to team members.
• Assist with onboarding, training, retraining, and skill development activities.
• Monitor workflow, productivity, and quality performance while escalating issues to leadership as appropriate.
• Serve as a resource for problem resolution and process improvement initiatives within the work area.
• Production Leadership: Ability to coordinate daily production activities and support workflow execution.
• Advanced Manufacturing Assembly: Ability to perform advanced electronic and mechanical assembly operations while serving as a technical resource.
• Production Coordination: Ability to prioritize work, balance workloads, and support production schedules.
• Manufacturing Process Knowledge: Advanced knowledge of manufacturing processes, standardized work, and production workflows.
• Quality Awareness: Ability to ensure compliance with customer requirements, IPC standards, and manufacturing procedures.
• Problem Solving: Ability to…