Operations Team Lead

Bright Machines • Florence, KY

1d

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.

Nice To Haves

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees