Production Lead

Cristek Interconnects, Inc.; Billerica (MA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading manufacturing firm in Billerica, MA is seeking a Production Lead to oversee daily operations on the production floor. This role involves managing a team of assemblers, ensuring production targets are met, and maintaining quality standards. Applicants should have at least 5 years of experience in wire harness and cable assembly manufacturing environments and hold necessary certifications. The ability to lead effectively with attention to detail in a fast-paced environment is critical.

Qualifications

• 5 years of experience in wire harness and cable assembly manufacturing.
• Electro-Mechanical assembly experience is advantageous.
• Must be fluent in English for reading and writing.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily production activities and manage a team of assemblers.
• Ensure production targets are met safely and efficiently.
• Monitor quality standards and implement safety protocols.

Skills

Crimping skills

Soldering skills

Attention to detail

Fast-paced work capability

Education

High School Diploma

J-STD Certification

IPC-620 Certification

Tools

Measuring devices

Hand and power tools

Job description

Description

The Production Lead plays an essential role in the manufacturing process, orchestrating the day‑to‑day operations on the production floor. This position involves overseeing a team of workers (typically 4‑6 Assemblers), ensuring that production targets/goals are met efficiently and safely, while maintaining the highest quality standards. By coordinating tasks, managing schedules, and troubleshooting minor issues before they escape, the Production Lead ensures a smooth workflow.

Their responsibilities extend to monitoring inventory levels by issuing components to Work Orders, enforcing safety protocols, and contributing to continuous improvement initiatives. Through effective leadership and communication, the Production Lead supports both the operational and strategic goals of the manufacturing facility, aiming to optimize productivity and foster a positive work environment. The Production Lead will organize and lead a daily E3 Huddle for their team and bring any issues to their Production Supervisor or Production Manager as needed.

The Production Lead position will play a key role within a team that will work together to assemble our customers’ product. The ability to perform effectively in a manufacturing environment and in conjunction with meeting delivery schedules and customer requirements is critical to this position.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Train new production staff and provide ongoing coaching to existing employees to enhance their skills and productivity.
• Train assigned production staff in the use of equipment and following processes.
• Address any attendance and performance issues with Production Supervisor or Production Manager.
• Collaborate with Production Manager and Production Supervisor on Assembler Performance Reviews.
• Coordinate and supervise the daily production activities of assigned staff.
• Ensure production schedules, goals, and objectives are met in a timely and efficient manner.
• Monitor production performance and ensure quality standards are maintained.
• Identify areas of improvement and take corrective action as needed.
• Ensure that production processes are carried out in accordance with safety and quality standards.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and organized work environment.
• Implement and monitor safety protocols to ensure a safe working environment for all employees.
• This position will perform a variety of tasks ranging from repetitive to non‑repetitive production assembly operations on
• electronic and/or mechanical assemblies and subassemblies such as cables and harnesses.
• Ability to read and understand, in English, the customer Drawings, Parts List, Wire List, Processes, Specifications, and assembly
• Routers for step‑by‑step instructions on how to manufacture the wire harness and cable assembly.
• Production of wire harness and cable assemblies using hand and/or power tools including specialized crimpers, soldering tools, screwdrivers, torque wrenches, wire strippers and cutters, precision measuring instruments, etc.
• Ability to use measuring devices and understand how to read them.
• Daily cable and harness techniques such as wire cutting, cable prep and layup, connectorization, crimping, soldering, jacketing, braiding, molding, use of lacing tape and spot ties for open wire bundles, testing, etc.
• Performing continuity checks on work in process and completed assemblies.
• Conduct in‑process inspections on product in accordance with quality specifications.
• Ability to read and write in English and fill in Work Order information and sign off on Router Operations.
• Perform rework on required assemblies by following authorized work instructions via Rework Router.
• Testing and troubleshooting of subassemblies at first, second and final tests.
• Work with Sales/Engineering team to correct and improve upon any documents related to the assembly process.

Requirements

WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• 5 years’ experience in a wire harness and cable assembly manufacturing environment
• Electro‑Mechanical assembly experience
• Strong crimping, connectorization, and soldering skills
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced environment
• Attention to detail is critical and required for this position

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• High School Diploma
• J‑STD Certification is required
• IPC‑620 Certification is required

REQUIRED SKILLS/WORKING CONDITIONS

• This position requires use of information or access to hardware which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All applicants must be U.S. persons within the meaning of ITAR. ITAR defines a U.S. person as a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e. "Green Card Holder"), Political Asylee, or Refugee.
• Must be fluent in reading, writing and speaking/understanding English.
• Must be able to pass Visual Acuity requirements (color, depth perception and field of vision).
• Must be able to work under a microscope for inspection purposes.
• Must be able to pass Manual Dexterity requirements (handling small parts effectively, demonstrate fine motor skills and dexterity to manipulate tweezers, small pliers and parts with speed and precision).
• Must be able to use and understand how to read measuring devices (ruler, tape measure, caliper, etc.).
• Must be able to have steady hand in applying epoxy to cable assembly and meet customer specifications.
• Perform a number of complex, sometimes repetitive, electro‑mechanical assembly operations of wire harnessing parts, components and subassemblies.
• Must possess sufficient hand and upper body strength and gross motor skills to route cable bundles of various sizes and weights (cable assemblies regularly weigh more than 20 lbs. and some exceed several hundred lbs. and need to be moved around on large wooden spools).
• Must possess sufficient hand and upper body strength in carrying harness boards to and from their storage area (averaging 20+ lbs. and the size of a sheet of plywood – 4’ x 8’).
• Must be able to demonstrate Technical Literacy (ability to read and accurately interpret wiring diagrams, electrical schematics, Parts Lists and blueprints or demonstrate the ability to learn this process).
• Must be able to sit for sustained periods of time (3‑4 hours at a time).
• Must follow strong safety standards.
• Must possess attention to detail.
• Must be able to work as part of a team.