Production Team Lead

Position Overview

The Manufacturing Team Leader will work within the production operators and the BIW team for the purpose of achieving aligned results. The Production Team Leader is responsible for leading and coordinating a team of operators within BIW automated cells, ensuring safe operations, strict quality compliance, and stable production flow. The role drives throughput performance (JPH/OEE) by eliminating losses, enforcing standard work, and enabling rapid response to abnormalities while fostering a zero-defect and zero-incident culture.

Key Responsibilities

Safety Leadership & Compliance (Highest Priority)
Lead and enforce all EHS regulations, robotic cell safety standards, and safe work practices.
Ensure no bypass of safety systems (light curtains, scanners, interlocks, guarding).
Conduct pre-shift safety audits and verify workstation readiness.
Lead safety talks (toolbox meetings) and reinforce safety behaviors.
Ensure proper use of PPE and ergonomic practices.
Investigate and report incidents, near misses, and unsafe conditions, applying corrective actions.
Empower team members to follow stop-call-wait principle for unsafe conditions.

Production Management & Throughput Optimization

Manage team performance to achieve production targets (JPH) aligned with takt time.
Monitor and improve OEE drivers: Availability (downtime reduction), Performance (cycle adherence), Quality (first-time quality)
Balance workloads across stations to avoid bottlenecks, starvation, or blocking.
Ensure proper execution of standard work at each station.
Monitor real-time production flow using Andon systems and dashboards.
Lead recovery plans during downtime and coordinate with Maintenance and Engineering.
Support and oversee changeovers ensuring minimal impact on production.

Quality Assurance & Compliance

Ensure adherence to control plans, work instructions, and quality alerts.
Verify operators are performing in-process inspections correctly.
Lead containment actions for defects (segregation, traceability, escalation).
Drive first-time quality (FTQ) and reduce rework/scrap.
Participate in QRQC (Quick Response Quality Control) and root cause analysis.
Ensure compliance with traceability standards (part labels, lot control, sequencing).

People Management & Leadership

Lead, coach, and develop production team members.
Conduct daily briefings (SPEQDC: Safety, People, Environment, Quality, Delivery, Cost).
Assign tasks and ensure proper station coverage.
Monitor attendance, performance, and discipline within the team.
Identify training needs and ensure skill certification (matrix-based training).
Foster a team-oriented, accountable, and quality-focused culture.
Support new team members onboarding and qualifications.

Problem Solving & Continuous Improvement

Lead first-level troubleshooting of production issues (quality, equipment, process).
Apply structured problem-solving methods (e.g., 5 Why, A3, Fishbone analysis).
Identify and eliminate chronic losses and inefficiencies.
Drive Kaizen activities and continuous improvement actions.
Collaborate with Maintenance, Quality, and Engineering for sustainable solutions.
Ensure implementation and follow-up of corrective actions.

Communication & Escalation

Act as the first point of escalation for Andon calls and line abnormalities.
Ensure clear communication between shifts.
Communicate production status, issues, and action plans to management.
Coordinate with support functions (Maintenance, Quality, Logistics).
Maintain proper reporting of downtime, defects, and performance.

5S & Workplace Organization

Ensure implementation and sustainment of 5S standards.
Maintain clean, organized, and safe workstations.
Conduct regular audits and ensure compliance to visual standards.

Skills

Ability to lead and motivate a team, driving them towards achieving project goals, experience in working UB, Side body and has knowledge of Spot welding, SPR, FDS and MIG/Mag welding
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Problem-solving skills, basic knowledge of robot & PLC programming, and troubleshooting with the ability to identify issues, propose solutions, and implement process improvements.
Strong commitment to maintaining high-quality standards and ensuring customer satisfaction.
Effective organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage simultaneously
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, adapt to changing priorities, and handle pressure while maintaining a positive attitude.
Professional, informative, and responsive communication to customers.
Be proficient in general office PC programs and equipment monitoring systems.

Minimum Qualifications

• Technical associate degree.
• 3+ years of experience as production leaderor related role
• Good communication and teamwork abilities
• Familiarity with BIW processes and components is a plus
• Basic Microsoft Office knowledge (PowerPoint, Excel, Word)
• Physically able to stand, lift up to 50 lbs, and work in confined spaces with required PPE.