First Line Leader

8974 DuPont Specialty Products USA, LLC; Valley View (OH); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The First Line Leader at 8974 DuPont Specialty Products USA, LLC in Ohio oversees safe, reliable production on the shop floor, coaching direct reports and contract staff to uphold DuPont Core Values and operational discipline.

You will manage performance, conduct coaching and feedback, lead Leader Standard Work, champion DBS and continuous improvement, and develop staffing to sustain quality, safety, and customer value.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, supply chain, operational leadership, business, or related field (preferred; may consider exceptional candidates without a degree).
• More than five years of direct manufacturing supervisory experience.
• Minimum 3 years in a regulated manufacturing setting.
• Intermediate or advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 Suite.

Responsibilities

• Manage direct reports and provide guidance to contract workforce and support roles.
• Conduct performance management: set goals, measure performance, provide feedback, coaching.
• Champion safety, quality, 5S, and operational discipline through coaching and visibility.
• Lead Leader Standard Work routines: start-of-shift activities, huddles, and shift handovers.
• Drive DBS, continuous improvement, and problem solving using structured methods.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Performance management

Microsoft Office 365

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Job description

Position Overview

The First Line Leader (FLL) is a people‑leadership role responsible for safe, reliable, and quality production through daily shop‑floor execution, coaching, and enforcement of DuPont Core Values and operational discipline.

Responsibilities

• Manage direct reports and provide functional guidance to contract workforce, cell leaders, trainers, or other support roles.
• Conduct performance management: set goals, measure performance, provide feedback, coaching, counseling, accountability, and documentation.
• Mentor staff and support employee engagement, career growth, and skills development.
• Set expectations and hold employees accountable to DuPont Core Values (safety, environmental stewardship, ethics, respect for people, integrity, and accountability).
• Maintain visible field presence; reinforce safety, quality, housekeeping, 5S, and operational discipline through coaching, observation, intervention, and follow‑up.
• Execute Leader Standard Work routines: area walks, start‑of‑shift activities, daily huddles, shift handovers, operator round review, escalation, and production reviews.
• Lead or support Daily Visual Management using SQDIP or other approved area metrics; use performance dialogue to review safety, quality, delivery, inventory, productivity, cost, and people metrics; assign countermeasures, track actions, and escalate barriers.
• Champion DuPont Business System (DBS), Operational Excellence, and continuous improvement mindsets; coach employees to solve problems using structured methods (5‑Why, root cause thinking, PDCA, point kaizen, standard work troubleshooting).
• Manage staffing and time (attendance, overtime, vacation) and daily work assignments to support reliable area execution.
• Develop and improve critical operating systems to optimize process design and execution, reduce waste, lower cost, and improve reliability.
• Maintain and use team key performance indicators and visual boards to connect daily actions to area, site, and business objectives.
• Lead continuous learning and capability‑building efforts, including training, skills development, standard work reinforcement, and cross‑training.
• Establish effective two‑way communication systems within the Operations Team to share information, align priorities, engage employees, recognize contributions, and support site success.
• Understand, support, and communicate company, business, site, and area strategic initiatives; help employees connect daily work to customer value, operational discipline, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, supply chain, operational leadership, business, or a related field from an accredited university (preferred; candidates without a degree may be considered with exceptional qualifications).
• More than five years of direct manufacturing supervisory experience.
• Minimum 3 years of work experience in a regulated manufacturing setting.
• Intermediate or advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 Suite.

Equal Opportunity Employer

DuPont is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability or any other protected class. If you need a reasonable accommodation to search or apply for a position, please visit our Accessibility Page for Contact Information.