Assemble Line Lead

Wabtec; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 31,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Wabtec in Kansas City, MO seeks a Line Lead to provide daily leadership and operational support in the production area. You will coordinate workflow, communicate priorities, support training, and drive safe, productive operations while partnering with supervisors and management.

The role emphasizes safety, quality, and continuous improvement, with overtime flexibility and cross-training across production areas as needed. Previous lead experience is preferred.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate's degree preferred.
• 2-3 years in manufacturing, assembly, repair, or production is preferred.
• Ability to read and understand work instructions and business communications in English.
• Bilingual English/Spanish capabilities are highly preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership and ability to influence team performance.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day leadership and operational support to employees in the assigned production area.
• Lead by example in professionalism, attendance, safety compliance, and engagement.
• Communicate daily production goals, priorities, and expectations to the team.
• Coordinate workflow to meet production schedules and objectives.
• Facilitate start-up meetings and communicate safety, quality, and productivity goals.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Manufacturing experience

Read/understand work instructions

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate’s degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

You will work closely with production operators, supervisors, quality, safety, maintenance, and other production support teams. The Line Lead serves as a day-to-day operational resource for employees within the assigned area, helping coordinate workflow, communicate production priorities, support training efforts, and drive safe, efficient operations while partnering closely with supervisors and management.

How will you make a difference:

The Line Lead is responsible for providing daily leadership and operational support within the assigned production area while performing assembly and production-related activities as needed. This position leads by example and supports safety, quality, productivity, employee engagement, and continuous improvement initiatives.

The Line Lead coordinates daily work activities, communicates production expectations, monitors workflow, assists with problem resolution, and supports training and development efforts. This role serves as a key communication link between production employees and leadership while helping maintain production continuity and operational excellence.

The Line Lead does not perform supervisory or managerial functions such as discipline, investigations, hiring decisions, or policy interpretation but provides leadership, guidance, and support to employees during daily operations.

Monday - Thursday 5:00am - 3:30pm. This position might require flexibility to work overtime on Fridays and Saturdays.

Location: KRC 4800 Deramus Ave Kansas City, MO 64120

What do we want to know about you?

Minimum Qualifications and requirements: (To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.)

• High school diploma, associate’s degree or equivalent preferred.
• Minimum 2-3 years in manufacturing, assembly, repair, or production experience preferred.
• Ability to effectively communicate, read, and understand work instructions, procedures, and business communications in English.
• Bilingual capabilities (English/Spanish) are highly preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities and ability to positively influence team performance.
• Knowledge and understanding of specialized equipment, hand tools, and production processes.
• Ability to communicate effectively with employees, supervisors, and support departments.
• Ability to organize work, prioritize tasks, and support multiple operational needs.
• Experience supporting employee training, coaching, or mentoring preferred.
• Experience as a Lead in a manufacturing environment is highly preferred.

Other Qualifications:

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to lead by example and promote accountability.
• Ability to identify and elevate safety, quality, and operational concerns.
• Mechanical aptitude and manufacturing experience preferred.
• Ability to read and follow work instructions, drawings, procedures, and specifications.
• Computer skills and/or experience with Microsoft office is highly preferred.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills within defined responsibilities.
• Willingness to cross-train and support multiple production areas as business needs require.

What will your typical day look like?

• Provide day-to-day leadership and operational support to employees within the assigned production area
• Lead by example through professionalism, attendance, work ethic, safety compliance, and positive engagement.
• Communicate daily production goals, priorities, and expectations to team members.
• Coordinate workflow to maintain production schedules and support operational objectives.
• Facilitate daily production start-up meetings in the absence of the supervisor, communicating key safety, quality, delivery, and productivity objectives while ensuring team members understand expectations, priorities, and staffing assignments for the shift.
• Monitor line performance and proactively communicate barriers impacting safety, quality, delivery, or productivity.
• Provide coaching, guidance, and constructive feedback to employees regarding job performance and work practices.
• Support employee onboarding, training, and cross-training activities.
• Serve as the first point of contact for routine employee questions and concerns.
• Communicate employee concerns, staffing challenges, and operational issues to supervisors and management.
• Foster teamwork, accountability, and collaboration across the production floor.
• Participate in and/or lead daily GEMBA board discussions and production meetings as assigned.
• Promote and model safe work practices while ensuring compliance with all safety policies, procedures, and PPE requirements.
• Identify, report, and elevate safety hazards, incidents, and unsafe conditions.
• Support safety initiatives, workplace inspections, and corrective actions to maintain a safe work environment.
• Ensure adherence to quality standards, work instructions, and established production processes.
• Communicate quality concerns promptly and support corrective actions.
• Coach employees on quality expectations and encourage defect prevention and continuous improvement.
• Coordinate daily workflow and staffing to support production schedules and operational goals.
• Monitor line performance, communicate production barriers, and assist in resolving operational issues.
• Support training, cross-training, and production coverage while maintaining workflow continuity and productivity.

What about the physical demands of the job?

(The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

• Regularly lift, move, carry, push, and/or pull materials, components, and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Walk throughout the production facility and remain on your feet for extended periods, including the duration of a full shift.
• Perform production, assembly, and leadership support activities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
• Move between workstations and production areas to provide operational support, training coverage, and workflow coordination.
• Maintain regular on-site attendance and presence during scheduled shifts to support employees and production operations.

Work Environment:

• Work is performed in shop environment that is non-temperature-controlled production environment, with exposure to varying temperatures and other environmental factors.

Our job titles may span more than one career level. The salary range for this role is currently set at $22.50/hr + $1.50 USD Line Lead differential.

• The actual salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors, such as: training, transferable skills, work experience, education, business needs, market demands and work location. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. More information on offered benefits, which include health, welfare, and retirement, are available at mywabtecbenefits.com. Other benefit offerings for this role may include annual bonus, if eligible.