Lead Production Technician

Vital Chemicals USA LLC•Bowling Green, OH

11d•Onsite

About The Position

Vital Materials is seeking a Lead Production Technician to join their team. This role involves serving as the lead technician on the production floor, coordinating and overseeing daily activities while actively participating in hands-on production work. The Lead Production Technician will ensure adherence to safety procedures, quality requirements, and operational standards, while also providing technical guidance and support to the production team. This position requires a strong mechanical aptitude, problem-solving skills, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED required.
Driver’s License or State-issued ID.
Demonstrated experience as a production technician or similar role; prior informal or formal lead experience preferred.
Strong mechanical aptitude with effective troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
Organized with strong attention to detail.
Safety-first mindset with the ability to influence safe behaviors in others.
Basic math skills.
Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented, fast-paced environment.
Ability to use hand tools and perform mechanical tasks.
Understanding of visual quality criteria and performance target requirements for certified areas.
Ability to clearly communicate expectations, issues, and performance targets to team members.
Good written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to use mobile systems, communication devices, and simple tool interfaces.
Fundamental computer application knowledge.
Ability to obtain and maintain forklift certification as required.
All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check, pre-employment drug screen, and any additional testing required for the position.

Nice To Haves

Prior informal or formal lead experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Adhere to all safety procedures and promote a strong safety culture while maintaining good housekeeping standards.
Serve as the lead technician on the production floor, responsible for coordinating and overseeing the daily activities of the production team while remaining actively engaged in hands-on production work.
Perform assigned job duties in accordance with all written work instructions, procedures, and quality requirements.
Safely operate and maintain tools and equipment used for Thermal Spray applications.
Provide technical guidance, on-the-job support, and mentoring to production technicians to ensure proper execution of tasks and adherence to standards.
Assist with daily work assignments, workflow coordination, and task prioritization to meet production targets.
Maintain quality control procedures and required documentation; ensure team compliance with visual quality and performance criteria.
Respond to tool alarms or non-standard conditions per work instructions and escalate issues that cannot be resolved immediately.
Perform and oversee preventive maintenance inspections and services on machines and support equipment.
Thoroughly clean machines and machine parts, removing and reinstalling parts as necessary.
Oil and lubricate moving parts to ensure effective machine performance.
Record and report damaged, worn, or broken parts; assist with identifying root causes of equipment issues.
Order, install, and verify replacement parts for machines as needed.
Identify causes of unexpected machine breakdowns and support timely, efficient repairs.
Ensure effective communication across shifts and foster teamwork, accountability, and engagement within the production team.
Ensure waste materials are discarded in designated containers and containers are properly sealed.
Collect, review, and report data related to daily tool and production performance.
Perform all assigned preventive maintenance (PMs) on Thermal Spray and support equipment.
Work independently at times without direct supervision while remaining accountable for team performance, quality, and safety targets.
Support training of new hires and cross-training of team members.
Serve as a point of contact between production technicians and leadership regarding daily operations, issues, and improvement opportunities.
Other duties as assigned.