Group Leader

Toyota Boshoku America•Lawrenceville, IL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, the Group Leader oversees quality control operations during the designated shift, maintains the plant quality system, and coordinates daily assignments. The role directs Team Leaders and Team Members in an assigned manufacturing area, managing the group as an operational unit and working to meet company goals and targets in accordance with company policies, manufacturing standards, and quality standards for safety, product quality, customer satisfaction, accuracy, productivity, cost reduction, housekeeping, efficiency, training, teamwork, and morale. The Group Leader serves as a first-line supervisor and leads manufacturing and production systems in the assigned area. The role uses Toyota Production System techniques and Toyota Boshoku Business Practices to standardize work, reduce variation and waste, manage staffing and workflow, monitor production and quality, and drive continuous improvement. It also supports the plant quality system by maintaining customer-focused standards, investigating and containing defects, coordinating with customers, suppliers, and internal departments, and ensuring quality procedures are followed. The position includes safety oversight, training and development, performance management, records and reporting, KPI monitoring, and frequent communication across teams and shifts. Work is performed in open-office and automotive manufacturing environments, with moderate noise and possible exposure to cold, dust, heat, or odors. PPE may be required in designated areas. Travel is minimal.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent required.
Associate’s degree required, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
At least three years of relevant manufacturing experience.
At least two years of leadership or supervisory experience.
Demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform leadership-role functions.
General understanding and practical experience with automotive quality systems and processes.
Working knowledge of inspection standards and check fixtures.
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, manufacturing processes, material controls, workflow, scheduling, kanban, machine operation, and company policies and standards.
Basic math and analytical skills and ability to facilitate problem solving and resolution.
Ability to work with a dynamic team and demanding customers in a fast-paced, multicultural production environment.
Ability to work across departments, prioritize activities, plan and supervise assigned areas, and perform their functions.
Ability to read instruction manuals, blueprints, and specifications.
Ability to remain flexible in a changing production environment and be on call to control abnormal conditions.
Effective listening, leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills; ability to communicate and work with all levels of the organization.
Ability to multitask, handle diversity, and provide leadership through problem resolution.
Ability to adapt available skills and equipment to unforeseen demands or problems.
Ability to implement plans to control and maintain safety, quality, 5S, cost, and efficiency.
Strong organization, time-management, and planning skills, including managing multiple tasks with tight deadlines.
Ability to teach fundamental skills to Team Leaders and Team Members and facilitate Job Instruction Training.
Strong verbal and written communication skills in English.
Experience with integrated computer programs or applications; solid working knowledge of Microsoft Office and other computer-based applications.
Willingness to complete and use training as required for forklift, tugger, and truck usage; overhead crane operation; cross-training for plant support departments; RCRA and DOT hazardous-waste requirements; and computer-based systems.
Ability to meet the role’s physical demands, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree preferred.
Automotive industry experience preferred; parts production, quality, or production control experience is a plus.
Working knowledge and experience with Toyota Production System (TPS) and Production Efficiency (PEFF) preferred.
ERP system experience, such as Oracle, preferred.

Responsibilities

Supervise Team Leaders and Team Members, including coordinating hiring and placement with the Assistant Manager and monitoring staffing, work hours, overtime, job rotation, and absenteeism.
Apply company rules, policies, and practices; manage and appraise performance and recommend corrective action when appropriate.
Foster positive team relations and motivate team members to meet safety, quality, efficiency, productivity, cost, and morale goals.
Lead the manufacturing and production system in the assigned area and work toward department hoshin goals, targets, and implementation schedules.
Use Toyota Production System techniques to standardize processes, reduce variation, identify waste, and eliminate waste.
Develop standardized work procedures and direct work assignments and stationing according to production needs and schedules.
Apply Toyota Boshoku Business Practices to direct floor activities and correct substandard conditions.
Perform Team Leader or Team Member duties as needed to maintain stable and continuous operations.
Monitor parts, materials, productivity, quality, kanbans, and inventory; take corrective action as needed.
Ensure quality goals and standards are met, quality systems are used correctly, and escalation procedures are followed.
Partner with the Quality department on investigations and containment; troubleshoot daily quality, safety, and production issues.
Identify change points and make adjustments to maintain quality, safety, operational availability, production efficiency, and cost.
Assess machinery and equipment problems, coordinate repairs, and participate in equipment evaluations.
Lead continuous-improvement activities and participate in setting and monitoring KPI targets and boards.
Initiate, coordinate, and participate in safety, quality, productivity, and cost-improvement projects; implement team-member ideas and management initiatives.
Maintain a safe working environment and ensure compliance with safety regulations, PPE requirements, and company safety policies.
Lead or participate in ergonomic exercises and assessments, 5S housekeeping, accident investigations, safety audits, and related activities; implement countermeasures and job rotation as appropriate.
Maintain knowledge of hazardous-waste, spill-response, and plant-security procedures and monitor team-member health and safety.
Train and coach team members on productivity, quality, TS19649, ISO 14001, environmental and safety requirements, job performance, setups, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement.
Oversee orientation and training, assign qualified trainers, maintain training matrices and department instruction manuals, and support development through performance evaluation, training plans, feedback, and coaching.
Collect, record, and analyze information and maintain documentation required by company policy and practice.
Prepare required business reports and spreadsheets; maintain production, quality, maintenance, parts-shortage, scrap, and other shift records, as well as team-member time, attendance, and training records.
Communicate regularly with team members, upstream and downstream areas, support departments, and other shifts to support efficient operations and two-way communication.
Support the Quality Manager and overall plant quality system.
Establish and maintain quality standards that meet or exceed customer requirements.
Communicate customer and supplier quality issues to manufacturing, production control, and quality control departments.
Initiate containment and investigation to prevent further defects from reaching internal operations or customers.
Communicate with customers and suppliers to resolve quality problems; investigate internal defects and implement countermeasures.
Ensure quality processes and procedures are maintained plant-wide and collaborate across departments and management levels to promote quality.