Production Team Lead - 3rd Shift
About The Position
Michelman is seeking a dependable, safety-focused Team Leader for its specialty chemical manufacturing team. The Team Leader provides shift direction and technical support, serves as backup to the Shift Supervisor, and helps coordinate production priorities and work assignments. The role combines hands-on production work with shift coordination, operator coaching, troubleshooting, and communication across Production, Maintenance, Quality, EHS, Engineering, and other support functions. The position supports batch execution, process monitoring, material handling, packaging, wastewater and utilities activities, equipment readiness, area preparation, and continuous improvement. The Team Leader helps maintain safe, reliable, organized operations by reinforcing standard work and procedures, monitoring process conditions, documenting work, supporting shift handoffs, and escalating concerns promptly. The role is on 3rd shift in Cincinnati, Ohio, scheduled Monday through Friday from 11:30 PM to 7:30 AM; future shift changes may occur based on business needs and will be communicated in advance. Employment is contingent upon completion of required pre-employment checks. Michelman has a tobacco-free hiring policy and requires a pre-employment drug screen that includes testing for tobacco products. Compensation includes a shift differential, overtime opportunity, and bonus/incentive eligibility, in addition to benefits. Michelman describes its work environment as values-focused and team-oriented, emphasizing integrity, respect, technical development, structured onboarding, and long-term growth.
Requirements
- High school diploma or GED.
- At least 5 years of hands-on chemical manufacturing experience.
- Ability to guide peers, support new-hire training, reinforce standard work, and help maintain an organized and accountable shift.
- Understanding of EHS, quality, housekeeping, chemical handling, work permits, area readiness, and production documentation expectations.
- Ability to read and interpret batch sheets, SOPs, safety data sheets, labels, production schedules, process data, and shift communication tools.
- Ability to make sound, time-sensitive decisions that protect safety, quality, compliance, and production continuity.
- Clear communication skills for shift handoffs and escalation of concerns to supervision, Maintenance, Quality, EHS, or other support teams.
- Ability to work 3rd shift and meet manufacturing-environment physical requirements, including standing, walking, lifting, handling materials, and wearing required PPE.
- Successful completion of required pre-employment checks, including a drug screen that tests for tobacco products.
Nice To Haves
- Experience coordinating with Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, or EHS to resolve operational issues.
- Prior exposure to autonomous maintenance, continuous improvement, shift leadership, team training, or root cause problem solving.
- Mechanical aptitude and ability to identify minor equipment, instrumentation, or process issues.
Responsibilities
- Serve as backup to the Shift Supervisor by providing shift direction, coordinating work assignments, and aligning the team with safety, quality, and production priorities.
- Provide technical knowledge and troubleshooting support during batch production, packaging, material handling, wastewater, utilities, and other assigned production activities.
- Review production needs, balance staffing, prepare work areas, and support clear shift handoffs.
- Operate and monitor production equipment, including reactors, kettles, mixers, pumps, filtration systems, forklifts, packaging equipment, utility systems, and related process controls.
- Monitor process parameters, identify abnormal conditions, record data accurately, and promptly escalate safety, quality, equipment, or production concerns.
- Reinforce standard work, procedure compliance, housekeeping expectations, PPE requirements, and safe chemical handling practices.
- Support equipment readiness, cleaning, changeovers, line clearances, batch documentation, inventory transactions, material staging, and work order completion.
- Coach and guide new and existing operators, model safe work practices, and help team members build technical capability.
- Coordinate with Maintenance, Quality, EHS, Engineering, Project Teams, and peers to support safe work and timely resolution of problems.
- Participate in shift handoffs, daily tier meetings, safety discussions, near-miss reviews, root cause investigations, product trials, and continuous improvement activities.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage options.
- Company-paid and voluntary life and disability insurance programs.
- 401(k) retirement savings.
- HSA/FSA plans with company contribution opportunities.
- Paid time off and holidays.
- Maternity/parental leave.
- Fitness center reimbursement.
- Training, onboarding, and development opportunities.
- Shift differential, overtime opportunity, and bonus/incentive eligibility.
- Additional benefits and employee programs may apply based on role, location, and plan eligibility.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
High school or GED
