Production Lead Hand

Hamilton Kent LLC; Winchester (NV); On-site; USD 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits after 30 days

401(k) eligibility after 6 months

Vacation accrual

Safety and training programs

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Hamilton Kent is seeking a Production Lead Hand for the Winchester, TN plant on a 7pm–7am schedule to drive safe, efficient production. You will lead daily activities, coordinate the team, and maintain high standards of quality and performance on the manufacturing floor.

You will mentor operators, oversee handovers, track downtime, and collaborate with maintenance, QA, logistics, and HR to resolve issues and improve operations.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Previous manufacturing experience in a production environment.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in a manufacturing setting (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.
• Ability to interact effectively with employees and stakeholders at various levels.
• Working knowledge of workplace safety regulations and quality standards.
• Basic computer skills and experience using Microsoft Outlook and Excel.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Decision making

Mechanical aptitude

Safety awareness

Problem solving

Teamwork

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

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.

Required Qualifications

• 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

This position is based primarily in a manufacturing plant environment and requires:

• 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.