Lead TOPS

Palmer Hamilton, LLC; Elkhorn (WI); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Palmer Hamilton, LLC is seeking a Team Lead for the TOPS department to assist with daily operations, coordinate workflow, and reinforce production standards on the production floor. The role acts as a key resource, monitoring progress and guiding employees to meet goals and schedules.

The position emphasizes hands-on support, leadership presence, safety compliance, and teamwork to drive on-time delivery and quality in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• HS diploma or equivalent.
• Strong verbal communication required.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced production environment.
• Demonstrated ability to guide and support employees to meet production goals.
• Experience with training or mentoring employees is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and track production progress to meet delivery timelines.
• Identify delays or bottlenecks and report status to supervisor.
• Coordinate workflow across production areas to maintain productivity.
• Support department productivity, output, and efficiency metrics.
• Communicate priorities and daily operational goals to staff.
• Provide hands-on support to maintain production flow.
• Ensure safety and housekeeping standards are followed.
• Maintain accurate departmental records and reports.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Time management

Problem solving

Team training

Tools

Microsoft Office

ERP systems

Job description

Position Summary

The TOPS Team Lead supports the TOPS Supervisor by assisting with daily departmental operations, coordinating workflow, and reinforcing production standards to ensure efficiency, quality, and on‑time delivery. This role serves as a key resource on the production floor by providing hands‑on support, monitoring production progress, and assisting with employee guidance and training.

Description

The TOPS Team Lead supports the TOPS Supervisor by assisting with daily departmental operations, coordinating workflow, and reinforcing production standards to ensure efficiency, quality, and on‑time delivery. This role serves as a key resource on the production floor by providing hands‑on support, monitoring production progress, and assisting with employee guidance and training.

The Team Lead helps maintain operational continuity by tracking work orders, monitoring department performance, communicating production priorities, and ensuring adherence to safety and housekeeping standards. This position plays an important role in promoting teamwork, maintaining positive morale, and supporting employees in meeting departmental and organizational production goals.

Key Responsibilities

Production Oversight & Workflow Coordination

• Monitor and track hot orders and priority production jobs to ensure they move efficiently through the department and meet required delivery timelines.
• Track pending or incomplete orders, identify delays or bottlenecks, and communicate status updates to the TOPS Supervisor.
• Assist with coordinating workflow across production areas to maintain productivity and meet daily production schedules.
• Support the Supervisor in monitoring department productivity, output, and efficiency of metrics.
• Communicate production priorities and ensure employees understand daily operational goals.

Operational Support

• Provide hands‑on support within the department when necessary to maintain production flow and meet operational demands.
• Monitor departmental materials, equipment, and waste removal processes (including ensuring dumpsters are emptied) to prevent production disruptions.
• Follow up on assigned departmental tasks to ensure completion of production schedules and operational plans.
• Assist with troubleshooting workflow or operational issues that may impact productivity or quality.

Team Leadership & Employee Support

• Promote a team‑oriented work environment that encourages collaboration, communication, and mutual support.
• Serve as a resource for employees by providing guidance, answering questions, and reinforcing department processes and expectations.
• Assist with on‑the‑job training and reinforcement of standard work procedures to ensure employees understand proper techniques and production standards.
• Support the Supervisor in addressing minor operational issues and helping resolve day‑to‑day challenges on the production floor.
• Encourage positive morale and maintain a respectful, professional work environment.

Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Reinforce compliance with all company safety policies, procedures, and PPE requirements.
• Promote a clean, organized work environment by ensuring adherence to housekeeping standards.
• Support quality expectations by ensuring employees follow established work instructions and quality procedures.
• Report safety concerns, production issues, or equipment problems to the Supervisor promptly.

Communication & Reporting

• Communicate department production status, issues, and updates to the TOPS Supervisor.
• Assist in monitoring and communicating performance levels across production areas.
• Maintain accurate and organized departmental records as required.
• Collaborate with other departments when necessary to support production flow and operational coordination.

Position Expectations

• Demonstrate a strong working knowledge of the TOPS department processes, equipment, and production standards.
• Maintain awareness of departmental performance goals and production targets.
• Exhibit strong leadership presence by modeling professionalism, accountability, and positive work behaviors.
• Communicate effectively with employees, supervisors, and other departments to support operational success.
• Maintain accuracy in departmental documentation and recordkeeping.
• Serve as a positive role model for employees by demonstrating integrity, reliability, and strong work ethic.
• Ability to motivate team members and foster a collaborative and productive work environment.

Requirements

Qualifications

Required

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced production environment.
• Demonstrated ability to support and guide employees in meeting production goals.

Preferred

• Prior experience in a manufacturing or production environment, preferably in a lead or senior operator role.
• Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel and Word).
• Experience working with integrated manufacturing or ERP systems.
• Strong math and problem‑solving skills.
• Previous experience training or mentoring employees.