Production Team Leader

Fire-Dex•Santa Fe Springs, CA

37d•Onsite

About The Position

Gear Wash is a family-owned Independent Service Provider (ISP) of personal protective equipment (PPE) care and maintenance. As a subsidiary of Fire-Dex, we specialize in advanced cleaning, inspection, repair, alteration, and equipment customizations for first responders. Our services and rentals meet established industry and manufacturer standards. We're seeking self-motivated leaders to ensure proper organization of work and maintaining high efficiency and quality of Gear Wash teams.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
Demonstrated expertise in industrial sewing and garment repair, preferably with firefighter PPE or similar technical textiles.
Previous experience in manufacturing or production team leadership preferred.
Effective communicator and collaborator.
Demonstrates servant leadership, urgency, and attention to detail.
Ability to follow standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Consistent adherence to safety protocols and procedures.
Active participation in safety and operational training.
Ability to follow and enforce SOPs and company standards.
Teamwork, professionalism, and customer focus.
Problem-solving and continuous improvement mindset.
Coaching and Developing Others: Actively coaches, mentors, and develops team members, demonstrating patience and a commitment to their growth and success.
Patience: Maintains composure and a supportive attitude, especially when training or assisting others.
Ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds regularly; occasionally up to 50 pounds as needed.
Prolonged periods of standing or walking.
Frequent bending, squatting, kneeling, or reaching.
Manual dexterity for operating sewing machines and tools.
Visual acuity for detailed sewing and repair work.
Ability to hear and respond to verbal instructions or alarms.
Ability to sit for extended periods and perform repetitive motions.
Ability to work in a production/warehouse environment with exposure to dust, fumes, or chemicals.
Must be able to work in-person; may require shift work or weekend availability.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience in manufacturing or production team leadership preferred.
Bilingual in Spanish preferred.
Skilled in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook; able to learn new systems.

Responsibilities

Perform advanced sewing and repair tasks on firefighter PPE, ensuring high-quality workmanship.
Prioritize and complete work orders within established turnaround times.
Lead and coordinate daily team activities to meet productivity, quality, and safety goals.
Recognize and report sewing machine malfunctions or maintenance needs to appropriate personnel.
Coordinate with other departments or locations for timely routing and completion of work orders.
Provide hands-on coaching, training, and feedback to team members, especially in sewing and repair techniques.
Support onboarding and training of new employees as directed by the supervisor.
Foster a positive team culture, encourage morale, and support employee engagement.
Communicate effectively within the team and with supervisors.
Monitor attendance and address minor employee issues, escalating more complex matters to the supervisor.
Uphold and enforce company policies, operational standards, and safety protocols.
Maintain equipment and workspace per company guidelines.
Suggest and help implement efficiency improvements as directed.
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives and safety training.
Perform other related duties and assignments as required.