Operations Team Lead

Bright Machines•Florence, KY

18h

About The Position

The Manufacturing Lead at Bright Machines serves as the key point of contact between frontline operators and the Operations Supervisor. This working-lead role is responsible for directing day-to-day production activity on the floor, ensuring team members follow standard work, and maintaining line performance against safety, quality, and output goals. The Manufacturing Lead is a hands-on role requiring deep production knowledge, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to proactively identify and resolve issues before they escalate.

Requirements

2+ years of experience in a manufacturing or production environment, with at least 1 year in a lead, trainer, or informal leadership role.
Hands-on experience working on assembly lines, preferably in electronics, server, or high-mix manufacturing.
Strong understanding of standard work, production flow, and quality inspection processes.
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, automated production environment.
Comfort operating around automated, robotic, or semi-automated production systems.
Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and work collaboratively with peers, supervisors, and support teams.
Familiarity with MES or ERP systems and production tracking tools is a plus.
Basic knowledge of Lean principles (5S, standard work, waste reduction) preferred.

Responsibilities

Direct and coordinate production operators on assigned assembly lines to meet daily output targets.
Serve as the first point of escalation for production issues, downtime, and material shortages during the shift.
Lead shift start-up meetings, communicate priorities, and ensure a smooth handoff between shifts.
Monitor line balance and adjust operator assignments in real time to maintain production flow.
Actively participate in production activities alongside the team — this is a hands-on, working-lead role.
Guide operators in following standard work, work instructions, and safe operating procedures.
Support onboarding and cross-training of new team members under the direction of the Operations Supervisor.
Provide real-time coaching and feedback to operators; escalate performance concerns to the Supervisor.
Model a culture of accountability, respect, and continuous improvement on the production floor.
Enforce all safety policies and procedures, including lockout/tagout, ergonomics, and PPE requirements.
Immediately address and report unsafe conditions or behaviors; support corrective action as directed.
Ensure operators perform quality checks and inspections in accordance with work instructions.
Escalate recurring defects or non-conformances to the Operations Supervisor and Quality team.
Support 5S and workplace organization standards to maintain a clean, safe, and efficient production environment.
Track and report hourly/shift-level performance metrics including throughput, scrap, and attendance.
Communicate production status and emerging issues to the Operations Supervisor promptly.
Support root cause analysis for downtime and quality issues by gathering data and documenting findings.
Participate in Lean and continuous improvement initiatives as directed by the Operations Supervisor.
Assist with line changeovers, process adjustments, and new product introduction activities.
Coordinate with maintenance and engineering teams to relay equipment issues and support resolution.