Material Handling Process Team Leader (1st Shift)

Stryker; Kalamazoo (MI); On-site; USD 89,000 - 149,000; Full time

Job summary

Stryker in Kalamazoo, MI is seeking a Material Handling Process Team Leader on 1st shift to lead material handling operations, ensuring the safe and efficient flow of materials that support production and drive continuous improvement.

You will coach and develop the team, manage labor and resources, and use KPIs to forecast needs, resolve issues, and partner with cross-functional teams to meet production goals while upholding safety, quality, and cost targets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or 6+ years of equivalent experience, in addition to the below requirements.
• 4+ years of relevant experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the material handling team, providing coaching, performance management, career development, and accountability.
• Ensure effective material flow and replenishment to support production schedules and minimize production disruptions.
• Allocate labor and resources based on production needs, priorities, and operational standards.
• Proactively identify and troubleshoot material, equipment, or process issues that could impact production.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to resolve issues, support production goals, and drive operational performance.
• Use data, KPIs, and operational metrics to identify priorities, forecast business needs, and drive decision-making.
• Identify and lead process improvement, cost reduction, and standardization initiatives.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement through Lean manufacturing, 6S, and other operational excellence initiatives.
• Lead and coach the Managing Daily Improvement (MDI) process through Tier 2 and support Tier 3 as needed.
• Own and execute Leader Standard Work (LSW) and audit requirements, including Quality and 6S.
• Manage labor requirements, including overtime approval, timecard management, and workforce planning.
• Support recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and workforce planning for temporary and permanent employees.
• Foster employee engagement and a culture focused on safety, accountability, teamwork, and employee development.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory, quality, legal, corporate, and human resources policies and procedures.
• Participate in audits and lead plant tours as needed.

Skills

Leadership

Lean manufacturing

Quality & safety

Data-driven decisions

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree or 6+ years of equivalent experience

Tools

Lean Six Sigma

Job description

Work Flexibility: Onsite

Shift: Monday - Wednesday (plus every other Thursday) 5 am to 5 pm EST

What you will do –

As the Material Handling Process Team Leader on 1st shift, you will lead material handling operations to ensure the safe, efficient flow of materials supporting production. You will be responsible for team performance across safety, quality, delivery, productivity, employee engagement, and cost while developing employees and driving continuous improvement.

• Lead and develop the material handling team, providing coaching, performance management, career development, and accountability.


• Ensure effective material flow and replenishment to support production schedules and minimize production disruptions.


• Allocate labor and resources based on production needs, priorities, and operational standards.


• Proactively identify and troubleshoot material, equipment, or process issues that could impact production.


• Partner with cross-functional teams to resolve issues, support production goals, and drive operational performance.


• Use data, KPIs, and operational metrics to identify priorities, forecast business needs, and drive decision-making.


• Identify and lead process improvement, cost reduction, and standardization initiatives.


• Drive a culture of continuous improvement through Lean manufacturing, 6S, and other operational excellence initiatives.


• Lead and coach the Managing Daily Improvement (MDI) process through Tier 2 and support Tier 3 as needed.


• Own and execute Leader Standard Work (LSW) and audit requirements, including Quality and 6S.


• Manage labor requirements, including overtime approval, timecard management, and workforce planning.


• Support recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and workforce planning for temporary and permanent employees.


• Foster employee engagement and a culture focused on safety, accountability, teamwork, and employee development.


• Ensure compliance with regulatory, quality, legal, corporate, and human resources policies and procedures.


• Participate in audits and lead plant tours as needed.

Required –

• Bachelor’s degree or 6+ years of equivalent experience in addition to the below requirements


• 4+ years of relevant experience

Preferred –

• 1+ year of people management/ leadership experience - preferred


• Ability to drive team productivity, while maintaining high levels of quality, safety, employee engagement and morale


• Demonstrated leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to teach and coach individuals from diverse backgrounds with varying communication and technical skills


• Lean Six Sigma or related experience

$89,300 - $148,800 USD Annual

Travel Percentage: 0%

Stryker Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. Stryker is an EO employer – M/F/Veteran/Disability.

Stryker Corporation will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.