Group Leader

Toyota Boshoku America•Lawrenceville, IL

13d

About The Position

The Group Leader directs Team Leaders and other Team Members in an assigned manufacturing area, such as assembly, filter, injection molding, powertrain, stamping, urethane, welding, or kaizen. The role manages a manufacturing line, cell, or area as an operational unit and is accountable for achieving company goals and targets in accordance with company policies, manufacturing standards and methods, and quality standards. Priorities include safety, product quality, customer satisfaction, accuracy, productivity, cost reduction, housekeeping, efficiency, training, teamwork, and morale. As a first-line supervisor, the Group Leader coordinates staffing and work assignments, monitors performance and attendance, and develops team members through training, coaching, and feedback. The role leads production-system and continuous-improvement activities, applies Toyota Production System techniques and Toyota Boshoku Business Practices, monitors production and quality, troubleshoots operational issues, and coordinates with quality, maintenance, and other departments. The Group Leader also maintains records, reports, training documentation, and communications across shifts and work areas.

Requirements

Associate’s degree in Business, Manufacturing, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
At least three years of relevant manufacturing experience.
At least two years of previous leadership or supervisory experience.
Demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the functions of a leadership role.
Ability to work a fixed or rotating shift schedule, including daily or weekend overtime.
Thorough understanding of company products, trade terminology, quality management and control systems and techniques, manufacturing processes, material controls, workflow, scheduling, kanban, machine operation, and company policies and standards.
Good mechanical aptitude and basic math and analytical skills.
Ability to facilitate problem solving and resolution effectively.
Ability to work with a dynamic team and demanding customers in a fast-paced, multicultural environment.
Ability to work across multiple departments and prioritize activities.
Ability to read instruction manuals, blueprints, and specifications.
Ability to plan, supervise, and perform functions of assigned areas.
Ability to maintain on-call flexibility to control abnormal conditions and adapt to a changing production environment.
Effective listening, leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills; ability to work with all organizational levels in a team environment.
Ability to multitask, handle diversity, provide leadership through problem resolution, and adapt available skills and equipment to unforeseen demands or problems.
Ability to implement plans to control and maintain safety, quality, 5S, cost, and efficiency in assigned areas.
Strong organization, time-management, and planning skills, including the ability to manage multiple tasks with tight deadlines.
Ability to teach basic fundamental skills and facilitate Job Instruction Training.
Strong verbal and written communication skills in English.
Experience with integrated computer programs or applications and solid working knowledge of Microsoft Office and other computer-based applications.
Willingness to complete and use required training, including forklift, tugger, and truck operation and certification; overhead crane operation; cross-training for plant support departments; RCRA and DOT hazardous-waste requirements and certification; and computer-based software, applications, and systems.
Ability to perform the essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation, including the physical demands described in the posting.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree.
Automotive industry experience, particularly in parts production, quality, or production control.
Experience in automotive interiors, including carpets, filters, powertrain, seating, or trim.
Working knowledge and experience with Toyota Production System (TPS) and the Production Efficiency (PEFF) system.
ERP system experience, such as Oracle.

Responsibilities

Direct Team Leaders and Team Members in the assigned manufacturing area and manage the area as an operational unit.
Plan and coordinate hiring and placement with the Assistant Manager; monitor staffing, work hours, overtime, job rotation, and absenteeism.
Apply company rules, policies, and practices; manage and appraise team-member performance and recommend corrective action when appropriate.
Build positive team-member relations and provide direction and motivation focused on safety, quality, efficiency, productivity, cost reduction, and morale.
Lead and maintain the manufacturing and production system in the assigned area, accomplish department hoshin goals, and track targets and implementation schedules.
Use Toyota Production System techniques to standardize processes, reduce variation, identify waste, and eliminate waste; develop standardized work procedures.
Assign and reassign workstations and analyze production requirements based on current conditions and production schedules.
Apply Toyota Boshoku Business Practices to direct floor activities and correct substandard conditions.
Perform Team Leader or Team Member duties when needed to maintain efficient, stable, and continuous operations.
Monitor parts and material flow, productivity, quality, kanbans, and inventory; take corrective action as needed.
Ensure quality goals and standards are met, confirm correct use of quality systems, and partner with Quality on investigation and containment activities.
Troubleshoot daily quality, safety, and production issues; identify change points and make adjustments to protect quality, safety, operational availability, production efficiency, and cost control.
Evaluate machinery and equipment issues, coordinate repairs, and participate in equipment evaluations.
Lead continuous-improvement activities, participate in setting KPI targets, maintain department KPI boards and graphs, and initiate or coordinate improvement projects.
Lead implementation of team-member suggestions and management-directed initiatives.
Maintain a safe work environment and ensure compliance with safety regulations, PPE requirements, and company safety policies and procedures.
Lead or participate in ergonomic exercises, 5S housekeeping, accident investigations, safety audits, and ergonomic assessments; implement countermeasures and job rotation.
Maintain knowledge of hazardous-waste, spill-response, and plant-security procedures and monitor team-member health and safety.
Train and coach team members in productivity and quality standards, TS19649, ISO 14001, environmental and safety practices, job performance, setups, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement.
Oversee orientation and training, assign experienced or certified trainers, maintain training matrices and instruction manuals, and develop team members through evaluations, plans, feedback, coaching, and cascade training.
Collect, record, analyze, and maintain documentation about activities in the assigned area.
Prepare business reports and spreadsheets; maintain department and shift records and logs related to production, shortages, scrap, quality, maintenance, and other activities.
Monitor and maintain team-member time, attendance, and training records and perform other administrative duties.
Communicate with internal contacts, keep team members informed through shift-start and other meetings, encourage two-way communication, coordinate with upstream and downstream groups and support departments, and coordinate communications between shifts.