First-Shift Production Leader — Kaizen & Safety Champion

Alfa Laval; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

Dental and vision plans

Wellness program

401(k)

Paid holidays

Paid time off

Job summary

Alfa Laval in Richmond, VA is seeking a hands-on Production/Operations professional to drive customer order execution and manufacturing efficiency onsite. You will lead capacity planning, ensure resource availability, and maintain quality through SOPs and audits.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in engineering, 2+ years in manufacturing, and strong leadership and improvement experience. Expect a high shop-floor presence and active involvement in cost and process improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent knowledge/experience.
• 2+ years of experience in a production/manufacturing environment.
• Experience with improvement tools (5S, Six Sigma, Kaizen).
• Knowledge of production finance and cost control.
• Proven leadership and people-management abilities.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safety of people, processes and products (quality, delivery, cost).
• Lead capacity and scheduling meetings with managers and team leaders; secure resources as needed.
• Maintain quality via SOP writing, auditing and updates.
• Maintain 70–80% shop floor presence to drive performance and continuous improvement activities (5S, KAIZEN).
• Manage own cost accounts (people costs, consumables, repairs, rework).
• Drive performance and improvement meetings and related activities.
• Control quality deviations and line stops; track targets and break them down to the team level.
• Execute audits per ALPS (Alfa Laval Production System).
• Maintain inventory accuracy with cycle counters and drive improvements.
• Drive ergonomics, standard times, rework and scrap reductions to support business processes.
• Develop standard work for primary areas.

Skills

Leadership

Management

Production finance

Manufacturing experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

5S

Six Sigma

Kaizen

Job description

Alfa Laval in Richmond, VA is seeking a hands-on Production/Operations professional to drive customer order execution and manufacturing efficiency onsite. You will lead capacity planning, ensure resource availability, and maintain quality through SOPs and audits.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in engineering, 2+ years in manufacturing, and strong leadership and improvement experience. Expect a high shop-floor presence and active involvement in cost and process improvements.