Ovens - Operator, Oven Lead

Elkhart Plastics•Middlebury, IN

About The Position

The Oven Lead oversees production activities in their designated work area during the shift, including production goals, quality, training, and data recording. The role ensures rotational molding activities are performed safely, efficiently, and effectively. The Lead coordinates production scheduling, addresses production issues, supports employees and training, and promotes safety, quality, productivity, and continuous improvement. The position requires a presence on the manufacturing floor for most of the work period in a typical manufacturing environment that can be hot, humid, and loud, with ovens, torches, rotating tools, forklifts, and other moving machinery.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
2–4 years of production experience; preferably the most recent experience is in a lead role.
Knowledge of, or ability to learn, key areas of responsibility.
Ability to operate, understand, and transfer knowledge of all machinery and equipment.
Ability to communicate workplace hazards and handle different situations, including emergencies.
Forklift certification from Elkhart Plastics/Myers Industries.
Strong reading and mathematical skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
Computer literacy, including Microsoft Office products.
Ability to work for extended periods in a hot, humid environment.
Ability to frequently sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
Ability to frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
Ability to walk and stand on concrete surfaces for the majority of the time, for 8–12 hours, with continuous presence on the manufacturing floor.
Ability to operate and use all necessary safety equipment.
Ability to tolerate repetitive motions for extended periods and extreme temperatures.

Nice To Haves

Minimum of one year of forklift experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Own and drive productivity, quality, and schedule attainment for the shift.
Coordinate the daily production schedule and develop rotations based on scheduling needs while ensuring training needs are met.
Respond to production-related issues, orders, and demands, meeting or exceeding production targets.
Learn rotational molding equipment processing; observe machines and equipment for malfunctions; and start and stop all machinery.
Perform production duties and provide coverage for employees during breaks, absences, and vacations.
Train new employees and provide retraining as needed.
Lead shift 5S activities and require daily cleanup of work areas.
Learn and apply LEAN tools, and champion their use and related behaviors on the shift.
Monitor and assess personnel, and coach them on ergonomics, behavior, participation, and cross-training.
Promote a positive safety culture by ensuring safety policies and procedures are followed and a safe work environment is maintained.
Complete accident reports immediately after an accident and notify the Safety Coordinator, Production Manager/Supervisor, Plant Manager, and HR.
Provide leadership in the area of responsibility and reinforce company policies.
Assist with an effective employee relations program that addresses employee needs and supports production operations.
Ensure non-conforming reports are completed, coordinated, and properly closed.
Review employee training data and coordinate with supervisors to ensure training needs are met.
Adhere to the attendance policy.
Assist with projects assigned by a manager or supervisor.