Production Group Leader

About the role

Directs Team Leaders and other Team Members in assigned manufacturing area (e.g., assembly, filter, injection molding, powertrain, stamping, urethane, welding, kaizen, etc.) in the execution of the group’s responsibilities.

Manages group (manufacturing line, cells, or area) as an operational unit and responsible to accomplish company goals and targets in accordance with all company policies, manufacturing standards and methods, and quality standards for safety, product quality, customer satisfaction, accuracy, productivity, cost reduction, housekeeping, efficiency, training, teamwork, and morale.

Responsibilities

• Plan and coordinate hiring and placement of team members with his/her Assistant Manager.
• Monitor and track staffing conditions, work hours and overtime, job rotation, and absenteeism.
• Understand, execute, and ensure consistent compliance with all company rules, policies, and practices, and takes appropriate corrective action when warranted, in accordance with the terms of the Team Member Handbook.
• Manage and appraise team member job performance and recommend corrective action.
• Develop and maintain positive team member relations centered on mutual trust, dignity, respect, fairness, consistency, two-way communication, teamwork, and harmony.

Requirements

• Lead and maintain the manufacturing and production system of assigned area, accomplishing department hoshin goals, and keeping on task with targets and implementation schedule.
• Utilize Toyota Production System (TPS) techniques to standardize current/new processes and methods, reduce process variation, identify waste, and methodically eliminate waste.
• Design and/or document the best work sequence for each process.
• Analyze production requirements based on current work situation and production schedules.
• Assign/re-assign work stationing and analyze production requirements based on current work situation and production schedules.
• Direct the work of Team Leaders and Team Members by assigning/re-assigning work stationing and analyze production requirements based on current work situation and production schedules.
• Maintain the highest level of quality and efficiency possible.
• Monitor the flow of parts, materials, productivity, and quality including kanbans and inventory levels; take corrective action as needed.
• Ensure quality goals and standards are met and know how to use the quality feedback loops and systems and escalation procedures.
• Confirm that team members use the quality systems correctly.
• Partner with the Quality department to initiate investigation and containment activities.
• Troubleshoot daily quality, safety, and production issues.
• Identify potential and current change points and make the required adjustments need to ensure quality, safety, operational availability, production efficiency (PEFF), and cost control are maintained.
• Evaluate and analyze problems involving machinery and equipment and coordinates repair of tools and machinery.
• Lead continuous improvement activity for assigned area.
• Initiate, coordinate, and participate in safety, quality, productivity, and cost improvement projects.
• Lead the implementation of team members’ ideas and suggestions and management directed initiatives.
• Maintain a safe working environment for all team members.
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements, and company safety policies and procedures.
• Lead, perform, and/or participate in ergonomic exercises, 5S housekeeping, accident investigation, and safety audits and related activities.
• Lead ergonomic assessments of team member work stations and implement countermeasures and job rotation to improve long-term safe working conditions and team member well-being.
• Maintain knowledge of procedures concerning Hazardous Waste, Spill Response, and Plant Security.
• Monitor safety and health of team members to ensure their well-being.
• Train and coach team members to maintain productivity and quality standards, in TS19649, ISO 14001, environmental, safety, quality, job performance, setups, trouble shooting, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure further development of team members through performance evaluation, development of training plans, feedback, coaching, and cascade training.
• Collect, record, and analyze information while maintaining documentation regarding the activities in the assigned area as defined by company policy, procedure, or practice.
• Prepare business reports and spread sheets of required data.
• Maintain specified records, files and logs of department/shift activities such as production, production problems, parts shortages, scrap, quality, maintenance, etc. (manual and computer) as required.
• Perform other various administrative duties.
• Maintain daily and/or frequent communication with upstream and downstream groups/areas and support departments to ensure efficient and stable operations in a team-based environment.
• Cookbook and coordinate communications between shifts for assigned area(s).
• Follow safety, quality, confidentiality, and information security policies and procedures.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in Business, Manufacturing, or related field required, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Experience: Minimum of three (3) years of relevant manufacturing experience required. Minimum two (2) years of previous leadership or supervisory experience required. Automotive industry experience preferred with parts production, quality, or production control experience a plus. Experience in automotive interiors including carpets, filters, powertrain, seating, and/or trim preferred.
• Worked knowledge and experience with TPS and Production Efficiency (PEFF) system preferred.

Skills

• Demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job functions of a leadership role.
• Must be able to work a fixed or rotating shift schedule, including daily or weekend overtime.
• Thorough understanding of company product, trade terminology, quality management and control systems and techniques, manufacturing processes including material controls, work flow, scheduling, kanban, machine operation, and company policies as standards.
• Good mechanical aptitude.
• Broad range of personal/technical skills including good math and analytical skills, ability to effectively facilitate problem solving and resolution, ability to work with a dynamic team and demanding customer(s), ability to work in a fast-paced, multicultural work environment, ability to work with multiple departments and prioritize activities, ability to read instruction manuals, blue prints, and specifications, ability to plan, supervise, and perform functions of assigned areas, ability to maintain on call flexibility to control abnormal conditions, ability to be flexible in a constantly changing production environment, active listening, effective leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, ability to communicate and work well with all levels of the organization in a team environment, ability to adapt available skills and equipment to respond to unforeseen demands and/or problems, strong organization, time management, and planning skills and ability to manage multiple tasks with tight deadlines, ability to teach team leaders and team members in basic fundamental skills and facilitate Job Instruction Training (JIT).
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Previous experience working with integrated computer programs and/or applications. ERP System experience (e.g., Oracle) preferred. Solid working knowledge and demonstrated experience with Microsoft Office and other computer-based applications (e.g., MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, Outlook, Internet, etc.).

Training Requirements

• Willingness to successfully complete and use training for items below as required by area of assignment: Forklift, tugger, and truck usage, and pass certification.
• Overhead crane operation.
• Cross training for leading other plant support departments.
• RCCA and DOT hazardous waste requirements, and pass certification.
• Computer-based software, applications, and systems (e.g., Oracle, Kronos, Future 3, etc.).

Work Environment/Conditions

Office: Open Office Environment, moderate noise level.