Assembly Team Lead

The Team Leader (TL) is responsible for Leading and supporting a group of approximately 12 Production Associates working on an automotive production lines. The TL ensures safe, efficient, and high quality operations at the workstation or zone level. This role focuses on daily coaching, on job training (OJT), resolving quality and process issues, ensuring adherence to standard work, and maintaining stable production flow. The Team Leader acts as the first escalation point on the line and supports operators by removing obstacles, reporting abnormalities, and driving continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

People Leadership & Team Support:

• lead a team of ~12 assembly operators during daily production activities.
• Provide hands-on training, OJT, and skill development to ensure operators follow Standardized Work and safety requirements.
• Support operators in resolving quality, safety, or process-related issues; escalate when needed through proper channels.
• Cover operator tasks during breaks, absence, or emergencies to maintain line stability.
• Deliver clear and continuous feedback to team members regarding performance, improvement areas, discipline, and development.
• Foster a positive team environment that encourages communication, problem solving, and accountability.
• Prepare work instructions for the assigned production line, working with Process Engineering to ensure accuracy and obtaining required approvals.

Production & Quality Execution:

• Ensure the completion of production targets in line with daily takt time and standard work expectations.
• Verify that all operators follow safety procedures, torque requirements, quality checkpoints, and process controls.
• Identify and escalate abnormalities using the escalation system (Andon, quality alerts, etc.).
• Perform basic troubleshooting for process and quality issues before calling support teams (ME, Quality, Maintenance).
• Update and maintain line KPIs board daily to reflect actual performance and priorities.
• Ensure good housekeeping (5S) and workplace organization in assigned zones. Communication & Reporting
• Report production issues, manpower gaps, quality concerns, tooling issues, and line stoppages to supervisors and support functions.
• Communicate shift handover updates and maintain accurate documentation related to performance, attendance, and training. Provide feedback to Process Engineering and Quality teams to support continuous improvement.

Continuous Improvement:

• Participate in problem-solving activities (e.g., root cause analysis, 5 Why, Kaizen).
• Suggest improvements to enhance safety, quality, efficiency, and ergonomics.
• Ensure proper implementation of improvement actions at the operator level.

Skills

• Strong leadership capability with the ability to coach, guide, and motivate frontline operators.
• Good understanding of assembly operations, standard work, and automotive manufacturing processes.
• Solid communication skills and ability to convey instructions clearly.
• Basic problem-solving and troubleshooting ability (5 Why, Quality alert handling).
• Ability to manage time, prioritize tasks, and maintain production flow under pressure.
• High attention to detail, discipline, and quality mindset.
• Ability to work in a structured, high-pace production environment.

Minimum Qualifications

• Diploma or technical school degree in Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, or equivalent experience.
• 13 years of experience in automotive manufacturing or similar production environment.
• Previous experience as a senior operator, team leader, or line coordinator is preferred.
• Knowledge of safety procedures, standard work, and quality requirements in assembly operations.
• Ability to work flexible shifts according to production needs.