Production Lead

Position Summary

The Production Lead is responsible for overseeing daily production activities, coordinating workflow between operators, and ensuring safety, quality, and productivity standards are met. This role serves as the first-line leader on the production floor, providing direction, training, and support to team members while driving continuous improvement initiatives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate daily production activities to meet production schedules and customer requirements.
• Ensure employees follow all safety policies, procedures, and PPE requirements.
• Monitor production processes to maintain quality standards and minimize defects.
• Assign work tasks and prioritize resources to achieve production targets.
• Support onboarding and training of new employees.
• Conduct shift start-up meetings and communicate production goals, safety updates, and operational priorities.
• Track and report production metrics, including output, downtime, scrap, and labor efficiency.
• Identify and address production issues, equipment concerns, and process bottlenecks.
• Collaborate with Quality, Maintenance, Engineering, and Warehouse teams to resolve operational challenges.
• Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure accurate completion of production records, paperwork, and system transactions.
• Assist supervisors and managers with performance coaching and employee development.
• Maintain organized work areas following 5S and lean manufacturing principles.
• Support inventory accuracy and material flow throughout the production process.

Qualifications

Education

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Associate degree or technical certification preferred.

Experience

• 3+ years of manufacturing or production experience.
• 1+ years of leadership, team lead, or supervisory experience preferred.
• Experience working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Experience with ERP or manufacturing systems preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Ability to coach, motivate, and develop production team members.
• Knowledge of safety regulations and manufacturing best practices.
• Understanding of quality systems and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to read production schedules, work instructions, and manufacturing documentation.
• Basic computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office and production reporting systems.
• Ability to work effectively across multiple departments.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to bend, reach, stoop, and perform repetitive motions.
• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with varying temperatures and noise levels.
• Must be able to wear the required personal protective equipment (PPE).

Working Conditions

• Manufacturing/production floor environment.
• Exposure to machinery, moving equipment, and industrial materials.
• May require overtime, weekends, or shift work based on business needs.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Safety performance
• Production output attainment
• Quality and defect rates
• On-time delivery performance
• Employee attendance and engagement
• Labor efficiency
• Scrap and rework reduction

Reports To: Production Supervisor / Production Manager

Department: Operations / Manufacturing