Production Lead

Surge; Doswell (VA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Surge is seeking a hands-on Production Working Lead to oversee daily production on the shop floor and collaborate directly with the team. This role combines leadership with hands-on machine operation, setup, and basic troubleshooting to meet safety, quality, and productivity goals.

The ideal candidate is mechanically inclined, organized, and comfortable using Excel and internal systems to track production metrics, downtime, and inventory while supporting continuous improvement efforts on the

Qualifications

• 2+ years of manufacturing or production experience.
• Experience leading or supervising on a production floor.
• Mechanical aptitude and comfort around moving machinery.
• Experience with machine setup and changeovers.
• Ability to perform basic math and quality checks.
• Proficient with Excel for data entry and tracking.
• Forklift and pallet jack experience.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently while supporting a team.
• Reliable attendance and safety-focused work ethic.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate daily production activities to meet safety, quality, and productivity goals.
• Operate equipment as needed for most of the shift.
• Coordinate staffing and workflow to keep production running efficiently.
• Provide direction, training, and support to production operators.
• Set expectations, monitor performance, and communicate daily priorities.
• Perform machine setups, changeovers, basic troubleshooting, and daily equipment checks.
• Assist with basic maintenance and keep production areas clean and organized.
• Use Excel to track production, downtime, scrap, and other daily metrics.
• Maintain accurate work orders and inventory information using internal systems.
• Identify production or quality issues and communicate them to management.
• Help troubleshoot problems and implement process improvements.
• Reinforce safety procedures, standard work, and quality requirements.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives such as 5S, standard work, and basic root-cause problem solving.
• Escalate operational issues to management when necessary.

Skills

Manufacturing experience

Team leadership

Mechanical aptitude

Excel proficiency

Data entry

Safety mindset

Strong communication

Problem solving

Tools

Forklift

Pallet jack

Machine setup

Equipment checks

Job description

Production Lead

About the Role

We are seeking a hands-on Production Working Lead to help oversee daily production activities while working directly alongside the team on the production floor.

This is a working leadership position for someone with manufacturing or production experience who is comfortable operating equipment, supporting machine setups and changeovers, troubleshooting basic issues, and helping a team meet safety, quality, and productivity goals.

The ideal candidate is mechanically inclined, organized, dependable, and comfortable using Excel and computer systems to track production information.

What You'll Do

• Lead and coordinate daily production activities to meet safety, quality, and productivity goals
• Work alongside production employees and operate equipment as needed for most of the shift
• Coordinate staffing and workflow to keep production running efficiently
• Provide direction, training, and support to production operators
• Set expectations, monitor performance, and communicate daily priorities
• Perform machine setups, changeovers, basic troubleshooting, and daily equipment checks
• Assist with basic maintenance and keep production areas clean and organized
• Use Excel to track production, downtime, scrap, and other daily metrics
• Maintain accurate work order and inventory information using internal computer systems
• Identify production or quality issues and communicate them to management
• Help troubleshoot problems and implement process improvements
• Reinforce safety procedures, standard work, and quality requirements
• Support continuous improvement initiatives such as 5S, standard work, and basic root-cause problem solving
• Escalate operational issues to management when necessary

Qualifications

• 2+ years of manufacturing or production experience
• Previous experience leading, training, or overseeing employees on a production floor
• Strong mechanical aptitude and comfort working around moving machinery
• Experience with machine setup, changeovers, and basic troubleshooting
• Ability to perform basic math and measurements and follow quality checks
• Comfortable using computers and Microsoft Excel for data entry and basic tracking
• Previous forklift and pallet jack experience
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently while supporting and directing a production team
• Dependable attendance and a strong safety-focused work ethic

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with a production, inventory, or work order management system
• Experience with continuous improvement, including 5S, standard work, or root-cause analysis
• Previous experience as a Lead, Team Lead, Line Lead, Production Lead, Machine Lead, or similar working leadership role

Physical & Work Environment

• Hands-on production floor environment
• Frequent standing and walking throughout the shift
• Regular bending, reaching, and lifting
• Ability to lift 50+ lbs. occasionally to frequently
• Exposure to production noise and varying temperatures
• Required PPE will be provided

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