Material Handling Process Team Leader (1st Shift)

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

Job summary

Stryker Corporation in Portage, MI is seeking a Materials Handling Process Team Leader on 1st shift to guide material flow and ensure safe, efficient production. You will coach the team, manage performance, and drive continuous improvement using Lean, 6S, and data driven decision making.

You will plan labor, resolve issues with cross functional teams, lead Leader Standard Work, and support recruiting and workforce planning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or 6+ years of equivalent experience.
• 4+ years of relevant experience.
• Lean Six Sigma or related experience.
• Ability to lead and develop teams in a manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead material handling operations to ensure safe, efficient flow of materials supporting production.
• Coach the team, manage performance, and drive continuous improvement using Lean and KPI data.
• Plan labor and resources based on production needs and lead cross‑functional problem solving.
• Own Leader Standard Work and support Tier 2/3 improvement initiatives.
• Support recruiting, onboarding, and workforce planning for temporary and permanent staff.

Skills

People leadership

Lean manufacturing

Safety culture

Coaching & development

Education

Bachelor's degree

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%

Equal Opportunity Employment

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.

Company Information

Stryker is one of the world's leading medical technology companies and, together with its customers, is driven to make healthcare better. We offer innovative products and services in Orthopaedics, Medical and Surgical, and Neurotechnology and Spine that help improve patient and hospital outcomes. We are proud to be named one of the World's Best Workplaces! For more information, visit: www.stryker.com

Work Flexibility

• Remote - Role allows you to work the majority to 100% of time from an alternate workplace. These roles could have travel expectations, and you must work within the country of the job requisition location.
• Field-based - You can expect to regularly work a majority to 100% of time at customer facilities and has a set territory or expectation to travel within a set boundary. Almost all sales roles would likely be qualified as field-based.
• Onsite - Role is 100% located at a Stryker facility. Some ad hoc flexibility may be available depending on role, level, and job requirements. Manufacturing roles and any role that requires physical presence at the office would qualify under this category.
• Hybrid - You can expect to regularly work in both an alternate workplace and a Stryker facility. Roles that are partially remote or co-located would qualify as hybrid, and the expectation to be onsite would be defined and agreed upon by your manager/supervisor.