Production Team Leader
Neat Companies•Russell Springs, KY
•Onsite
About The Position
The Production Team Leader is responsible for executing daily manufacturing operations within a defined production area, ensuring safe, high-quality, and efficient performance in alignment with plant SQDCI objectives. This role supports the Plant Manager’s Daily Management System by driving frontline accountability, reinforcing standard work, and leading continuous improvement at the team level.
Requirements
- High school diploma or GED required
- 2–5 years of manufacturing experience
- Prior leadership or team lead experience preferred
- Experience in a Lean Manufacturing or Continuous Improvement environment strongly preferred
- Familiarity with Daily Management Systems and KPI-driven operations
- Strong leadership, communication, and team-building skills
- Problem-solving and decision-making capability in a fast-paced environment
- Working knowledge of SQDCI metrics and lean tools
- Ability to drive accountability and enforce standards
- Data-driven mindset with attention to detail
Nice To Haves
- Technical or associate degree preferred
Responsibilities
- Lead shift-level production activities to meet safety, quality, delivery, cost, and inventory targets (SQDCI)
- Execute daily production plan and escalate issues impacting schedule attainment
- Support and maintain Daily Management System (DMS) routines, including tier meetings and KPI reporting
- Ensure adherence to standardized work and escalate abnormalities immediately
- Enforce all safety policies, procedures, and PPE requirements
- Conduct daily safety checks, participate in layered audits, and lead shift safety talks
- Identify hazards and drive immediate corrective actions
- Support incident investigations and ensure timely follow-up actions
- Ensure all products meet defined quality standards and specifications
- Perform and enforce in-process inspections and quality checks
- Identify defects, stop and contain issues, and escalate per standard process
- Support root cause analysis and implementation of corrective actions
- Promote a “right-first-time” culture on the production floor
- Drive schedule attainment and on-time delivery performance at the line level
- Monitor production flow and address bottlenecks in real time
- Coordinate with maintenance, quality, and materials teams to resolve disruptions
- Escalate risks to delivery performance through DMS escalation channels
- Support inventory accuracy and material flow within the production area
- Ensure proper handling of WIP and minimize excess or obsolete inventory
- Escalate shortages or discrepancies affecting production
- Apply lean principles including 5S, standard work, visual management, and problem solving
- Identify and eliminate waste within processes
- Participate in and support Kaizen events and CI initiatives
- Own and execute assigned actions from the plant improvement backlog
- Execute frontline Leader Standard Work, including: Daily Gemba walks, Tier 1 meeting leadership, KPI tracking and performance discussion
- Ensure team adherence to standard work and production processes
- Hold team members accountable for performance, attendance, and behavior
- Escalate issues and ensure timely closure of assigned actions
- Lead, coach, and develop production operators to improve performance and engagement
- Train employees on safety, quality, and operational procedures
- Foster a positive, accountable, and team-oriented work environment
- Support skill development and cross-training within the team
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
