Production Group Leader

Hankook Tire•Clarksville, TN

About The Position

The Manufacturing Group Leader monitors production operations to ensure maximum quality and profitable performance. The role oversees assigned employees, manages work assignments and attendance, applies company policies, supports corrective action, checks work quality, and conducts performance evaluations. The Group Leader is expected to understand complex operations and optimize daily activities while minimizing costs. The position provides leadership and managerial support to assigned personnel, helps the team meet quality and production goals, and ensures adequate staffing for normal shift operations. It works closely with engineers to establish standardized work procedures, identify and eliminate waste, and implement improved processes. The Group Leader also promotes safety, 5S, communication, continuous improvement, and compliance with environmental, health, and safety programs. The role develops employee skills through coaching and training, verifies completion of on-the-job training and learning-management requirements, communicates across departments and shifts, and uses key performance indicators and data analysis to support continuous improvement. The position is exempt and full-time, with either a night or day shift on a fixed 2-2-3 schedule; shift placement depends on position availability. The role reports to the Manufacturing Unit Manager.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Good command of written and spoken English.
Knowledge of business and management principles, including strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources, leadership, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Practical application of engineering science and technology, including principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment used in designing and producing goods and services.
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and methods for effective manufacturing and distribution.
Functional knowledge of machines and tools, including their design, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Applied understanding of predictive, preventive, and proactive maintenance methodologies.
Critical-thinking skills to assess alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Reading comprehension for work-related documents.
Active listening skills, including understanding others, asking appropriate questions, and avoiding inappropriate interruptions.
Ability to monitor and assess performance to make improvements or take corrective action.
Ability to frequently move around the manufacturing plant campus, office environments, and production areas, and occasionally ascend or descend stairs.
Ability to remain stationary for 50% of the time.
Ability to operate a computer and other office productivity machinery.
Ability to position oneself to file documents in the top and bottom drawers of file cabinets.
Ability to occasionally move office equipment and supplies weighing up to 25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

A degree in engineering, a technical field (such as chemical, mechanical, electrical, or industrial), or business.
Previous relevant experience.
Previous leadership experience in the manufacturing industry.

Responsibilities

Actively support and drive a Safety Always culture, a 5S workplace, consistent communication, and continuous improvement.
Monitor the team for personal protective equipment (PPE) compliance.
Provide managerial support and leadership to assigned personnel.
Manage work assignments, direct tasks, and assist in achieving quality and production goals.
Monitor employee productivity and complete employee evaluations accurately and on time.
Ensure adequate personnel are available on the shift for normal operations.
Work with engineers to develop standardized work procedures by designing or documenting the best work sequence for each process.
Identify and eliminate waste while developing and implementing new processes and methods.
Apply HR policies and procedures consistently.
Perform monthly attendance audits.
Comply with and proactively promote environmental, health, and safety (EHS) programs, policies, and procedures.
Develop assigned personnel through coaching and training, and correct substandard performance.
Complete and verify on-the-job training (OJT) and learning management system (LMS) requirements on time.
Maintain internal communication throughout the department, across shifts, with Line Leaders, and with appropriate support personnel.
Communicate regularly with personnel from other manufacturing units and quality groups.
Use key performance indicators (KPIs) to support continuous improvement.
Compile and analyze data and report requested information to engineers and management.
Perform other duties assigned by management.