Production Team Lead

Thern, Inc.; Winona (MN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package including Health, Dental, Vision, and 401(k)

Generous PTO

Flexibility in work schedules

Job summary

A manufacturing company in Winona is seeking a Production Team Lead to manage daily team activities and ensure adherence to safety, quality, and operational standards. The successful candidate will foster a productive work environment while providing day-to-day oversight and support. Responsibilities include leading work assignments, validating time entries, and serving as the primary contact for training team members. This role requires strong leadership, safety knowledge, and excellent interpersonal skills.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a manufacturing or production role.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of safety and quality standards in a production environment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily activities of an assigned team in a hands-on leadership role.
• Ensure adherence to Safety, Quality, ISO, and company standards.
• Lead daily work assignments and scheduling.

Skills

Hands-On Leadership

Safety & Compliance

Communication Skills

Organizational Skills

Time Management

Education

Associate degree in business management or equivalent work experience

Job description

Summary

We are looking for a Production Team Lead who is a hands-on leader responsible for managing and coordinating the daily activities of an assigned team. The ideal candidate will ensure efficient operations, enforce compliance with company policies, and promote a productive work environment. Key responsibilities include ensuring adherence to Safety, Quality, ISO, and company policies and standards, assigning and overseeing daily work responsibilities, and serving as the primary point of contact for training new team members. The role ensures the timely completion of scheduled work and serves as the first point of escalation for any issues during the shift. While responsible for day-to-day team management, this position does not handle corrective actions, disciplinary measures, or staffing decisions, which are escalated to supervisors, plant management, or Human Resources.

At Thern®, we take pride in our 75+ years of experience in providing top-quality lifting, pulling, and positioning equipment to a diverse range of industries. As Production Team Lead, you will play a crucial role in our mission to deliver innovative solutions that exceed our customers' expectations.

Responsibilities

include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Hands-On Leadership: A working leader overseeing the daily efforts of an assigned team. While the role is primarily hands-on, 10-15% of time will be spent on leadership activities.
• Safety & Compliance: Ensure the team follows all Safety, Quality, and ISO standards relevant to their area, as well as company policies and procedures outlined in the employee handbook.
• Team Support: Play a supportive and participatory role in team stretching exercises, fostering a collaborative work environment.
• Daily Leadership: Lead the daily shift start/plan meeting, conduct a Gemba walk, and maintain close communication with leadership.
• Work Assignment & Scheduling:
• Lead daily work assignments based on the scheduled work and team mastery using scheduling tools.
• Prioritize tasks according to the planner’s direction and align team skillsets efficiently.
• Balance assignments with team members' development plans, ensuring consistent cross-training opportunities.
• Training Point of Contact:
• Ensure training plans are adhered to, regardless of the day's trainer.
• Serve as the main point of contact for trainees to address any issues that arise.
• Execution of Daily Plans: Ensure the team meets Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) by starting and completing scheduled work on time, measured against planned start and end times.
• Issue Escalation: Serve as the first point of escalation for any production issues and direct the team on next steps, escalating further if needed.
• Time & Attendance: Validate weekly time entries for team members and approve time clock cards on the first workday of the week.
• Paid Time Off Coordination: Work with the supervisor to coordinate team PTO requests, manage challenging PTO periods, and ensure critical functions are covered while PTO is shared fairly.
• Staff Input: Provide input to the supervisor on staff assessments, including 30/60/90 onboarding plans, personal development, skill assessments, and annual reviews.
• Lead weekly team meetings to ensure alignment and communication within the team.
• Escalate any personnel matters beyond simple corrections to the supervisor, plant manager, or HR.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in business management, operations or related field, or equivalent work experience in a production or manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience in a manufacturing or production role.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, along with strong interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organizational and time-management abilities.
• Knowledge of safety and quality standards in a production environment.
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing principles is a plus.

Work Conditions

• The role involves working in a manufacturing environment with exposure to machinery and production processes.
• May require occasional evening or weekend work to accommodate production schedules.

Why Thern?

• Competitive Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package including Health, Dental, Vision, Disability, 401(k), generous PTO, and more. We also partner with local clinics to provide options for free healthcare services.
• Flexibility:At Thern, we value work-life balance while maintaining accountability to set schedules. Our leadership team fosters a flexible work environment, working collaboratively with employees to accommodate personal commitments when changes are needed, while keeping productivity and business goals on track.
• Empowerment & Innovation:Employees at Thern are encouraged to share ideas for process improvements and collaborate with leads to enhance efficiency. Employee input plays a key role in continuously improving our operations and delivering high-quality products to our customers

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disabled and veterans.