Operations Team Lead- Night Shift

About The Role

The Manufacturing Lead at Bright Machines serves as the key point of contact between frontline operators and the Operations Supervisor. This working-lead role is responsible for directing day-to-day production activity on the floor, ensuring team members follow standard work, and maintaining line performance against safety, quality, and output goals. The Manufacturing Lead is a hands-on role requiring deep production knowledge, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to proactively identify and resolve issues before they escalate.

What You Will Be Doing

• Floor Leadership & Daily Execution
  • Direct and coordinate production operators on assigned assembly lines to meet daily output targets.
  • Serve as the first point of escalation for production issues, downtime, and material shortages during the shift.
  • Lead shift start-up meetings, communicate priorities, and ensure a smooth handoff between shifts.
  • Monitor line balance and adjust operator assignments in real time to maintain production flow.
  • Actively participate in production activities alongside the team — this is a hands-on, working-lead role.
• Team Support & Development
  • Guide operators in following standard work, work instructions, and safe operating procedures.
  • Support onboarding and cross-training of new team members under the direction of the Operations Supervisor.
  • Provide real-time coaching and feedback to operators; escalate performance concerns to the Supervisor.
  • Model a culture of accountability, respect, and continuous improvement on the production floor.
• Safety & Quality Compliance
  • Enforce all safety policies and procedures, including lockout/tagout, ergonomics, and PPE requirements.
  • Immediately address and report unsafe conditions or behaviors; support corrective action as directed.
  • Ensure operators perform quality checks and inspections in accordance with work instructions.
  • Escalate recurring defects or non-conformances to the Operations Supervisor and Quality team.
  • Support 5S and workplace organization standards to maintain a clean, safe, and efficient production environment.
• Operational Support & Improvement
  • Track and report hourly/shift-level performance metrics including throughput, scrap, and attendance.
  • Communicate production status and emerging issues to the Operations Supervisor promptly.
  • Support root cause analysis for downtime and quality issues by gathering data and documenting findings.
  • Participate in Lean and continuous improvement initiatives as directed by the Operations Supervisor.
  • Assist with line changeovers, process adjustments, and new product introduction activities.
  • Coordinate with maintenance and engineering teams to relay equipment issues and support resolution.

What You Will Bring

• 2+ years of experience in a manufacturing or production environment, with at least 1 year in a lead, trainer, or informal leadership role.
• Hands-on experience working on assembly lines, preferably in electronics, server, or high-mix manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of standard work, production flow, and quality inspection processes.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, automated production environment.
• Comfort operating around automated, robotic, or semi-automated production systems.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and work collaboratively with peers, supervisors, and support teams.
• Familiarity with MES or ERP systems and production tracking tools is a plus.
• Basic knowledge of Lean principles (5S, standard work, waste reduction) preferred.