Manufacturing Lead

SUMMARY

The Manufacturing Lead is responsible for coordinating daily production activities within an assigned value stream, work center, or manufacturing cell to ensure the safe, efficient, and timely completion of customer orders. This position serves as the primary point of coordination between operators, planners, supervisors, and support functions to maintain workflow, achieve on‑time delivery goals, and support continuous improvement initiatives. The Manufacturing Lead provides day‑to‑day direction to production employees, promotes operational excellence, and fosters a culture of safety, quality, accountability, and teamwork.

• Coordinate the flow of work, materials, tools, and resources based on scheduled customer orders and production priorities.
• Assign daily work activities to team members to optimize productivity, maximize efficiency, and achieve on‑time delivery (OTD) objectives.
• Ensure work centers are properly staffed, organized, and prepared to execute production schedules.
• Identify and stage required materials, tooling, and equipment needed to support production activities.
• Maintain organized job queues and ensure the next job is available and ready for operators to minimize downtime.
• Transport work‑in‑process and completed materials between work centers as needed to support production flow.
• Monitor production schedules and proactively identify material shortages, capacity constraints, or other risks that could impact schedule attainment.
• Communicate potential shortages, schedule risks, and operational concerns to management, planners, and value stream leadership.
• Identify issues affecting production and engage support functions such as Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, Training & Development, and Supply Chain to resolve barriers and maintain schedule performance.
• Track production progress and communication status through dispatch systems, visual management tools, and hour‑by‑hour performance boards.
• Lead daily Gemba walks and escalate issues requiring management support.
• Ensure compliance with calibration requirements, shelf‑life controls, and applicable production procedures.
• Manage MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Operations) inventory for the value stream and coordinate replenishment as needed.
• Promote employee participation in continuous improvement initiatives, Lean Manufacturing practices, and problem‑solving activities.
• Support and monitor employee training progress to improve productivity, quality, and skill development.
• Assist in onboarding and cross‑training efforts to build workforce flexibility and capability.
• Identify and resolve routine production issues while escalating more complex concerns to appropriate support personnel.
• Participate in root cause analysis and structured problem‑solving efforts using established methodologies.
• Maintain and promote a safe work environment and ensure compliance with all safety requirements and company policies.
• Perform daily and weekly audits, including 5S audits, inventory checks, quality audits, and other operational assessments as required.
• Move completed materials, perform inventory transactions, and support departmental housekeeping efforts.
• Ensure Manufacturing Associates are properly trained in equipment operation, processing procedures, housekeeping standards, quality requirements, and safety practices.
• Other duties as required in support of the department and the Company

Assign and coordinate daily work activities for 5 to 20 employees within the assigned department group. Based on established priorities and direction from management.

Responsibilities include:

• Assigning and directing daily work activities.
• Monitoring productivity and performance to ensure departmental objectives are achieved.
• Assessing employee training needs and supporting skill development.
• Providing coaching, guidance, and constructive feedback to improve individual and team performance.
• Supporting employee engagement and fostering a positive team environment.
• Ensuring adherence to company policies, safety procedures, and quality standards.
• Escalating employee performance concerns management as appropriate.

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