Production Team Leader

Job Details

Job Title:

Production Team Leader

Department:
Injection Molding/Blow Molding Production

Reports To:

Group Lead/Shift Supervisor

Direct Reports:
None

Status:
Onsite Hourly – Direct Labor

• 1 vacancy for 1st shift at Applewhite location. Starting at 5:30 am with an 8‑hour shift Monday through Friday. OT may be required, including occasional Saturdays. Added 7/7/2026
• 1 vacancy for 2nd shift at Applewhite location. Starting at 1:30 pm with an 8‑hour shift Monday through Friday. OT may be required, including occasional Saturdays. Added 7/7/2026

This position will act as the first line of leadership within the department for all hourly team members (TM) within the department.

• Adhere to and uphold all safety policies established.
• Ensure Team Members have proper PPE and adhere to the Uniform Policy (no phones, watches, bracelets, rings, necklaces, hoop earrings, hair beyond shoulders).
• Report injuries or pains to Group Leader or Supervisor and implement and audit corrective actions or countermeasures as appropriate.
• Enforce Stop‑Call – Wait for any equipment, machine, or parts related safety concern.
• Set up daily Team Member rotation/tag relief schedule to avoid repetitive motion injuries.

• Monitor change‑over activities, work cell/component setup, focus on Team Member safety.
• Ensure that TM’s are properly trained for the jobs they are performing.
• Ensure TM’s follow Standard Work Instructions (SWI) and use poke‑yoke testing.
• Monitor Team Members’ 5S and TPM completions.
• Maintain or replace signage, SWI, floor tape, and other visual controls/communication tools as they become worn or torn or need updating.
• Check at least one part in every cart or tote, check at least five parts in every rack before the Dandori removes finished goods from the work cell.
• Fulfill Team Lead role in First Part Approval procedure.
• Train TM’s to any Quality Alerts for processes that are running.
• Use the Escalation Process for abnormalities found during the production run.

• Maintain constant communication with support teams during the production run.
• Confirm MATTEC job is correct and scrap or downtime is being input as necessary.
• Know the mold change schedule and targets (time or pieces), confirm finished goods packaging and wand pull time.
• Ensure Kanban cards are available and are being utilized correctly.
• Stock and monitor Shadow boards and consumable hand tools to ensure availability.
• Post and train Team Members on quality alerts issued.
• Respond to Andon calls quickly and turn off Andon if the problem is resolved.
• Assign Team Members work to achieve workloads via Kanban signal or Group Lead/Supervisor assignment.
• Coordinate Team Member activities with peers as necessary.
• Utilize Andon board to maintain needed inventory.
• Promote Kaizen corporate culture.

Complete required reports accurately and in a timely fashion as requested by Group Leader or Supervisor. Provide explanation if targets are not met.

Develop and engage team members to meet KPI expectations.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

• High school diploma or GED

• Minimum of 1 year manufacturing experience, preferably in the automotive industry.
• Minimum of 2 years as Team Leader in the manufacturing industry.

• None

• Beginner to intermediate level in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams) and in the use of e‑mail and web browsers.

• Basic math skills.

• Minimal analytical, planning, and critical‑thinking skills required with orientation for continuous improvement.

• Ability to read, write, and speak English.
• Bilingual English‑Spanish preferred.

• Ability to effectively organize and prioritize work.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to effectively manage a variety of projects and tasks.
• Takes initiative, approaches others in a positive and constructive manner, and works well independently to achieve results.
• Must be able to work with a wide variety of personalities to create a positive work environment and professionally resolve conflicts.

• 100% of the time will be spent on the production plant floors walking, standing, and engaged in the activities associated with the role.
• Be comfortable with lifting, squatting, and repetitive motion.
• Must be able to team lift a minimum of 50 pounds, 25 pounds alone.
• Be able to work in an environment that is climate controlled but may be exposed to potential heat, rain, and cold.

• Paid Basic life insurance
• Paid short‑term disability
• Paid time off
• Paid two shutdown work weeks (summer and winter)
• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching (discretionary)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Vision insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health savings account
• Referral program