Lead Operator

Watlow; Maryland Heights (MO); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Watlow is seeking a Lead Operator for our Missouri Heights manufacturing facility. You will guide a work center, coach the team on continuous improvement, and partner with Team Leader, Manufacturing Engineering, CI, and Supply Chain to keep production safe, on schedule, and to specification.

Responsibilities include building product to design, planning daily production to takt, leading Gemba walks, standard work, and problem-solving centers, and ensuring training records and inventory accuracy

Qualifications

• Leadership and team coaching in a manufacturing setting.
• Ability to organize and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong communication and training abilities.
• Experience applying problem-solving tools across multiple areas.

Responsibilities

• Guide a work center to build product to design using standard work.
• Plan and update daily production plan to meet takt and MO delivery.
• Coach and mentor cell team members and oversee training records.
• Lead Gemba walks and follow up on actions for Cell Improvement and PSCs.
• Follow Andon and SOP for Lead Operator role.
• Verify 6S daily and maintain a safe, healthy work environment.
• Communicate issues to Team Leader and collaborate with Supply Chain for inventory accuracy.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Problem-solving

Communication

Training others

6S

Education

Two-year degree

Technical certificate

Tools

Watlow Business System

Job description

About the Role

Lead Operators guide flow and process within their assigned work center at Watlow’s manufacturing operation, coaching the work center team on continuous improvement and helping the team embrace change. This role partners closely with the Team Leader, Manufacturing Engineering, Continuous Improvement, and Supply Chain to keep production running safely, on schedule, and to specification.

In this position, you will build product to design using work instructions and standards, coordinate daily production planning to meet takt and delivery requirements, and lead Gemba walks, standard work, and problem-solving activities — using the Watlow Business System and the WW Leader Behaviors to develop your team and drive results.

What You’ll Do

• Build product to design using work instructions and standards, and create or audit standard work in your assigned area in alignment with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Continuous Improvement
• Initiate and update the daily production plan — including daily resource planning — to meet takt and Manufacturing Order (MO) delivery requirements with quality product
• Coach and mentor cell team members, sharing in the responsibility for their training, development, and on‑the‑job learning
• Lead Gemba walks and follow up on actions related to Cell Improvement, Standard Work, and Problem Solving Centers (PSCs)
• Follow the Andon process and the Standard Operating Process (SOP) for the Lead Operator role
• Verify daily 6S is followed and ensure the deployment of a safe, healthy work environment for all team members
• Communicate with the Team Leader on problems, team issues, and other concerns
• Ensure training records for the Work Cell are complete and properly retained
• Collaborate with Supply Chain to ensure inventory accuracy

What You Bring — Required Qualifications

• High school graduate or GED
• Ability to use judgment to know when to refer issues to others, and to recommend and implement solutions within your area of responsibility
• Technical troubleshooting ability across process, equipment, and product
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to problem-solving activities and apply tools and techniques across multiple work areas
• Ability to train others on specific skills and transfer knowledge from one situation to the next
• Strong interpersonal, listening, and communication skills, with demonstrated approachability, openness, and credibility
• Ability to use the Watlow Business System and model the WW Leader Behaviors to achieve results

What Sets You Apart — Preferred Qualifications

• Two-year degree, technical certificate, or 3-5 years of related experience
• Leadership training
• Previous manufacturing or related industry experience