1st Shift Production Lead

International Paper•Dothan, AL

17h•Onsite

About The Position

The Production Lead assists the Plant Superintendent in leading the plant production department, working with hourly employees to achieve high quality and productivity safely and efficiently. The role emphasizes safety, planning and scheduling work, machine productivity, and coordination with other departments to meet customer expectations. The Production Lead handles day-to-day employee relations, training, coaching, setting expectations, and administrative reporting. The position reports directly to the Plant Superintendent and works under their direction. The role observes and monitors crews, coordinates daily plant activities and employee assignments, attends production meetings, and provides updates to Shipping and Customer Service. The Production Lead follows up throughout the day on production assignments, progress, quality, and safety; communicates shift and machine activity to the supervisor; and communicates order issues with Customer Service. The role may lead a shift for a week or longer with little management input, support plant initiatives, and operate machines when needed to cover vacations or unexpected absences. Additional duties include interpreting customer order specifications, using HRMS for production and end-of-shift reporting, conducting toolbox meetings, training employees on HRMS, monitoring ink inventory and placing orders, supporting customer quality investigations and corrective actions, following the IP Manufacturing Reliability System, and completing and collecting SWOs. The Production Lead must comply with safety and quality policies and be available for overtime, including Saturdays, and split shifts when needed.

Requirements

Two years of manufacturing experience.
Satisfactory working knowledge of all machines in the facility.
Basic computer skills, including data entry.
Ability to perform basic arithmetic, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Ability to communicate effectively with employees, supervisors, and managers.
Ability to interpret and understand customer order specifications.
Ability to problem-solve on the production floor and make judgments about box and sheet quality.
Dependable and reliable.
Highly adaptable to various duties.
Willingness and availability to work overtime as needed, including Saturdays.
Willingness to work split shifts if a second shift is needed.
Ability to repeatedly lift 5 to 50 pounds throughout the shift.
Ability to perform varied tasks throughout the day, including stooping, walking, bending, twisting, standing, sweeping, hand and wrist motions, body rotation, counting, and reading a tape measure.
Ability to work in an environment that is often very hot in summer and cool in winter.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or GED preferred.
One year of industrial lead experience preferred; corrugated packaging experience preferred.
Forklift experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Assist the Plant Superintendent in leading production activities to achieve quality and productivity goals safely and efficiently.
Observe and monitor crews to ensure safe work, product quality, and achievement of production goals.
Assign employees to jobs and coordinate daily plant activities.
Attend production meetings and provide updates to Shipping and Customer Service.
Follow up with coworkers on production assignments, progress, quality issues, and safety.
Provide daily feedback to the supervisor regarding shift and machine activity.
Communicate with employees, supervisors, managers, and Customer Service about order issues and production matters.
Interpret customer order specifications and make production-floor judgments about box and sheet quality, rejecting materials when needed.
Lead a shift independently for an extended period, with little input from management.
Provide leadership support for plant initiatives, including new machine installations.
Use HRMS for production and end-of-shift reporting and train employees on HRMS.
Conduct toolbox meetings.
Follow the IP Manufacturing Reliability System and ensure crew implementation.
Support customer quality issue investigations and Elizabethton corrective actions.
Complete two SWOs daily and collect SWOs completed by employees.
Act as an Operator or Assistant Operator and run machines when needed, such as to cover vacations or unexpected call-ins.
Monitor ink inventory and place orders as needed.
Comply with all safety rules, procedures, quality policies, and protocols, while watching out for personal and team safety.