Maintenance Group Leader , General Assembly, Seat Production

About Slate

At Slate, we’re building safe, reliable vehicles that people can afford, personalize and love—and doing it here in the USA as part of our commitment to reindustrialization. The spirit of DIY and customization runs throughout every element of a Slate, because people should have control over how their trucks look, feel, and represent them.

The Maintenance Group Leader in General Assembly, Seat Production is responsible for leading a team of maintenance technicians to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient operation of manufacturing equipment in a high-volume automotive assembly plant. This role oversees preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, corrective repairs, and continuous improvement activities to minimize downtime and support production targets. The position requires strong technical expertise, leadership capability, and experience in automated manufacturing environments.

• Leadership & Coordination:
  Lead and manage the production control team on 1st shift. Assign tasks, monitor performance, and ensure timely execution of production plans. Provide training, coaching, and performance feedback to team members.

• Team Leadership & Supervision:
  Lead and supervise a team of maintenance technicians (mechanical, electrical, controls). Assign daily work tasks and prioritize breakdown response. Coach, mentor, and develop team members. Conduct shift handoffs and communicate plant priorities. Enforce safety standards and plant policies.

• Safety & Compliance:
  Ensure compliance with OSHA and plant safety standards. Lead LOTO (Lockout/Tagout) compliance. Conduct safety audits and toolbox talks. Ensure proper handling of hazardous materials. Maintain compliance with environmental regulations.

• Team Management:
  Lead, coach, and develop maintenance techs. Conduct performance reviews, set goals, and manage staffing levels. Promote a positive work environment focused on teamwork, safety, and continuous improvement.

• Quality & Compliance:
  Ensure compliance with company quality standards and customer specifications. Work closely with Quality Assurance to address non-conformances and implement corrective actions. Maintain adherence to safety regulations and environmental standards.

• Continuous Improvement:
  Lead equipment improvement projects. Identify opportunities to reduce downtime and maintenance costs. Support lean manufacturing initiatives. Participate in Kaizen events. Implement 5S standards within maintenance areas.

• Reporting & Metrics:
  Track and report key performance indicators (KPIs) including OEE, scrap rate, downtime, and labor efficiency. Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly production reports for senior management.

• Preventive & Predictive Maintenance:
  Ensure PM schedules are executed on time and properly documented. Improve PM effectiveness to reduce reactive maintenance. Support implementation of condition-based monitoring systems. Review maintenance logs and identify recurring issues.

• Troubleshooting & Technical Support:
  Provide hands-on support for complex mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and PLC-related issues. Support robotics, conveyors, torque tools, and automated assembly systems. Assist with controls troubleshooting (PLC, HMI, VFDs, servo systems). Coordinate with engineering for equipment upgrades and modifications.

• Spare Parts & Inventory Management:
  Monitor critical spare parts inventory. Support planning of maintenance budget. Work with purchasing to procure necessary components. Identify obsolete parts and recommend replacements.

• Documentation & Reporting:
  Maintain accurate maintenance records in CMMS. Prepare downtime reports and performance metrics. Report KPIs including uptime, downtime, and maintenance costs. Support audits and quality investigations.

• Education and Experience:
  
  8+ years related experience with Bachelor's degree, 6 years with Master’s degree, 3 years with PhD or equivalent related experience. 2+ years of relevant experience as a Maintenance Group Leader, Maintenance Supervisor, or Tradesperson in a manufacturing or assembly environment, preferably in the automotive industry. Experience with preventative…