Production Lead Hand

Hamilton Kent LLC; United States; On-site; USD 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision after 30 days

401(k) after 6 months

Vacation accrual

Growth opportunities

Safety and training programs

Job summary

Hamilton Kent LLC in Winchester, TN is seeking a Production Lead Hand to provide hands-on leadership on the night shift. You will coordinate daily production activities, monitor safety and quality, and support the Production Supervisor to meet goals.

The ideal candidate has prior manufacturing leadership experience, strong communication skills, and the ability to train and mentor team members on standard procedures. Join a global organization committed to safety and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Must have manufacturing experience in a production environment.
• Proven leadership experience (Lead Hand, Team Lead, Trainer or similar).
• Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting ability.
• Experience with workplace safety regulations and quality standards.
• Experience using Microsoft Outlook and Excel.

Responsibilities

• Support daily production activities and assist the Production Supervisor with on-floor oversight.
• Coordinate and assign work activities to production team members to meet goals.
• Monitor equipment, processes, and workflow for safe and efficient operation.
• Promote safety, quality, and operational standards.
• Conduct effective shift handovers and communicate important updates.
• Assist in training, mentoring, and supporting production employees.
• Maintain production records, downtime reporting, and incident documentation.
• Identify operational issues and escalate as needed.
• Collaborate with Maintenance, Quality, Logistics, HR, and Production leadership to resolve issues and improve performance.
• Step into operator duties to support staffing and continuity.
• Lead by example and foster a positive, team-oriented work environment.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Mechanical aptitude

Safety awareness

Analytical skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Outlook

Excel

Job description

At Hamilton Kent, we are committed to building a better tomorrow by connecting people with water and energy. As a leading provider of advanced plastic piping systems, we value safety, teamwork, innovation, and continuous improvement. We are currently seeking a Production Lead Hand to join our Manufacturing team in Winchester, TN. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced manufacturing professional who enjoys leading by example, supporting team performance, and driving safe and efficient operations in a fast‑paced production environment.

Position Summary

Manufacturing | Full-Time | Night Shift (7pm - 7am)

The Production Lead Hand is responsible for leading and coordinating production activities during an assigned shift while supporting the achievement of safety, quality, and productivity objectives. Acting as a key point of contact between operators, supervisors, and management, this role provides leadership on the production floor, assists with problem‑solving, and serves as an additional resource to help ensure smooth plant operations. This position is ideal for an experienced manufacturing professional who can provide leadership without direct authority, effectively communicate across teams, and support operational excellence through hands‑on floor presence.

What You'll Do

• Support daily production activities and provide the Production Supervisor with an additional set of eyes and ears on the manufacturing floor.
• Coordinate and assign work activities to production team members to meet production goals.
• Monitor equipment, processes, and workflow to ensure safe and efficient operation.
• Promote and enforce all safety, quality, and operational standards.
• Conduct effective shift handovers and communicate important production updates.
• Assist in training, mentoring, and supporting production employees.
• Maintain accurate production records, downtime reporting, and incident documentation.
• Identify operational issues and elevate concerns when necessary.
• Collaborate with Maintenance, Quality, Logistics, Human Resources, and Production leadership to resolve issues and improve performance.
• Step into operator duties when needed to support staffing requirements and production continuity.
• Lead by example and foster a positive, team‑oriented work environment.

What You'll Bring

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Previous manufacturing experience in a production environment.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in a manufacturing setting, such as Lead Hand, Team Lead, Trainer, or similar role.
• Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and make sound decisions in a fast‑paced environment.
• Mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting ability.
• Ability to effectively interact with employees and stakeholders at various levels of the organization.
• Working knowledge of workplace safety regulations and quality standards.
• Basic computer skills and experience using Microsoft Outlook and Excel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in plastic manufacturing, extrusion, or injection molding.
• SAP experience.
• Leadership training or manufacturing leadership coursework.
• Experience supporting continuous improvement initiatives.

Work Environment

• Frequent standing and walking throughout a 12‑hour shift.
• Exposure to heat generated by manufacturing equipment and finished products.
• Working independently for periods of time while remaining engaged with production activities.
• Working in a fast‑paced environment with changing priorities.
• Lifting, pushing, pulling, and handling materials up to 25 lbs.
• Consistent use of required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Strict adherence to all Health, Safety, Environmental, and Quality policies and procedures.

Compensation & Benefits

• Starting rate of $28.12/hour
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits eligible after 30 days of service
• 401(k) eligibility after 6 months
• Vacation accrual beginning on date of hire
• Company-supported safety and training programs
• Opportunities for growth and development within a global organization

Why Join Hamilton Kent?

At Hamilton Kent, we believe our people drive our success. We offer a collaborative environment where safety comes first, leadership is developed from within, and employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact every day. This role provides a pathway into future manufacturing leadership opportunities, including advancement to Production Supervisor and other operational leadership positions. If you're a manufacturing professional who enjoys leading by example and helping teams succeed, we'd love to hear from you.