Group Leader - 3rd Shift

Polaris•Huntsville, AL

About The Position

The Group Leader directs daily production work and supports operators in meeting safety, quality, delivery, and cost goals. The role removes obstacles to standard work, contains and escalates production problems, drives continuous improvement, and supports quality initiatives. It documents issues for root-cause analysis, applies structured problem-solving, audits standard-work compliance, maintains the Tier-1 Continuous Improvement Board, and uses visual management tools such as 5S. The position requires willingness to work overtime with little or no notice. The Group Leader leads daily team meetings and collaborates with peer leads on vacation and call-in coverage. The role supports operator training and cross-training, provides situational leadership and supervision, and coaches employees in lean methods and the Polaris Production System. It also involves employee development, mentoring, effective communication across department levels, and promoting a safe and positive work environment. Additional duties may be assigned. The position has physical requirements that include lifting up to 40 pounds; pushing or pulling up to 100 pounds; bending, twisting, turning, kneeling, squatting, reaching overhead, and using air, power, or vibrating tools and strong pincher grips. The employee must stand and walk for the assigned shift; these activities may be required for up to twelve hours per day.

Requirements

Demonstrated technical skills in business, quality, and/or manufacturing.
Fundamental understanding of manufacturing or backshop environments and processes.
Ability to work with systems, including timekeeping systems such as AS400 and Kronos, RF/bar-coding technology, and Microsoft Office.
Performance- and results-driven approach, with the ability to create and sustain a positive, vibrant culture.
Ability to balance multiple demands, solve problems, make decisions, and plan.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Knowledge or use of Visual Work Instructions (VWI).
Ability to respond effectively to containment and quality-related resolution events.
Ability to lift up to 40 pounds and push or pull up to 100 pounds.
Ability to bend, twist, turn, kneel, squat, reach overhead, use air/power/vibrating tools, and perform strong pincher gripping.
Ability to stand and walk for the duration of the assigned shift, potentially up to twelve hours per day.
For current internal applicants: at least one year of continuous service from Polaris hire date; at least six months between department transfers or promotions; no active corrective actions; no more than two attendance points in each attendance category; and a 'Meets Expectation' rating in the most recent performance review, if applicable.
Resume and interview required.
Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States; visa sponsorship is not provided.
Former employees must be eligible for rehire, and current employees must be in good standing.

Responsibilities

Identify and remove obstacles that interfere with operators’ standard work.
Support daily production by containing and escalating problems that disrupt the line.
Drive continuous improvement, escalate issues, and implement improvements where necessary.
Develop and support departmental quality initiatives to improve quality and customer service.
Document problems for root-cause analysis and countermeasures; use structured problem-solving to eliminate waste and drive incremental improvements.
Audit and provide feedback on operator compliance with standard work.
Maintain the Tier-1 Continuous Improvement Board and work toward safety, quality, delivery, and cost goals.
Direct and execute daily work assignments according to department needs and schedules.
Establish visual management to improve processes, using tools such as 5S.
Run daily team meetings focused on improving safety, quality, service, and cost performance.
Work with peer leads to manage vacations and call-ins.
Support operator training and use the cross-training matrix to develop skills across the area.
Provide situational leadership and supervision while supporting Polaris culture and values.
Participate in employee development, coaching, mentoring, job-instruction training, and cross-training.
Coach operators in lean methods and the principles and tools of the Polaris Production System.
Build trust with employee groups through fairness, confidentiality, and leadership.
Communicate clearly and consistently across department levels in a changing environment.
Help ensure a safe working environment throughout the department.
Be flexible and perform additional duties as assigned.
Work overtime with little or no notice when needed.