Production Team Member

Neat Companies; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Neat Companies in Russell Springs, KY seeks a Production Team Member to operate and maintain production equipment in a lean manufacturing setting. This role emphasizes safety, precise measurement, and adherence to quality standards while supporting SQDCI objectives.

The ideal candidate has 1–3+ years of manufacturing experience, and is proficient with calipers, micrometers, and gauges, with a focus on right-first-time results.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• 1–3+ years of manufacturing or machine operating experience preferred.
• Experience with precision measurement tools required or strong ability to learn.
• Forklift/tugger operation experience preferred (or ability to become certified).
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and specifications preferred.
• Strong attention to detail and high level of accuracy.
• Proficiency with precision measurement tools (calipers, micrometers, gauges).
• Mechanical aptitude and equipment troubleshooting ability.
• Ability to safely operate material handling equipment.
• Ability to lift and handle parts in a safe and controlled manner.
• Ability to follow standardized work with discipline and consistency.
• Problem-solving mindset with a continuous improvement focus.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Operate assigned machinery in accordance with standardized work instructions and production schedules.
• Set up, adjust, and monitor equipment to ensure consistent performance and output.
• Perform changeovers, tooling adjustments, and minor machine troubleshooting.
• Read and interpret work orders, blueprints, and specifications.
• Safely transport materials and finished goods using forklifts, tuggers, or other material handling equipment (as required and certified).
• Manually load and unload parts, including lifting and positioning components onto racks, fixtures, or stands.
• Escalate equipment or process abnormalities through defined Daily Management System (DMS) channels.
• Maintain strict adherence to quality standards and a 'right-first-time' mindset.
• Meet production targets and takt time requirements.
• Maintain steady machine operation to support flow and schedule attainment.
• Ensure timely movement of materials to and from production areas to prevent delays.
• Communicate any production delays or risks immediately.
• Support continuous production flow by minimizing downtime.
• Reduce scrap, rework, and material waste through precise operation and measurement.
• Optimize cycle times while maintaining quality standards.
• Perform basic preventive maintenance to support equipment reliability.
• Minimize downtime through quick response to machine issues.
• Handle materials efficiently using proper equipment to reduce damage or loss.
• Properly track and handle raw materials and finished goods.
• Maintain WIP control and prevent overproduction.
• Support FIFO and material traceability requirements.
• Safely store and transport parts on racks, pallets, or stands to prevent damage.
• Follow and sustain standard work processes.
• Maintain 5S organization at the workstation.
• Identify waste and suggest improvements.
• Participate in Kaizen events and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support visual management and daily KPI tracking.
• Participate in Tier 1 (daily) meetings and contribute to problem-solving discussions.
• Follow direction from the Production Team Leader and support team goals.
• Take ownership of individual output, quality, and performance metrics.
• Collaborate with maintenance, quality, and material handling teams.

Skills

Attention to detail

Precision measurement

Forklift operation

Reading blueprints

Teamwork

Safety awareness

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Calipers

Micrometers

Gauges

Job description

Job Details: Job Location: Manufacturing - Russell Springs, KY, Salary Range: Undisclosed, Summary:

The Production Team Member is responsible for operating and maintaining production equipment to produce high-quality parts in a lean manufacturing environment. This role requires strong attention to detail, safe material handling practices (including forklift/tugger operation), and precise measurement skills to ensure product conformity, while supporting plant SQDCI objectives through safe operations, standardized work, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities:

Daily Operations & Execution

• Operate assigned machinery in accordance with standardized work instructions and production schedules
• Set up, adjust, and monitor equipment to ensure consistent performance and output
• Perform changeovers, tooling adjustments, and minor machine troubleshooting
• Read and interpret work orders, blueprints, and specifications
• Safely transport materials and finished goods using forklifts, tuggers, or other material handling equipment (as required and certified)
• Manually load and unload parts, including lifting and positioning components onto racks, fixtures, or stands
• Escalate equipment or process abnormalities through defined Daily Management System (DMS) channels

Precision Measurement & Quality Control (Critical Focus)

• Perform accurate measurements using tools such as calipers, micrometers, gauges, and other inspection devices
• Verify parts meet exact specifications and tolerances
• Conduct in-process inspections and document results when required
• Identify defects immediately, stop production if needed, and escape per standard procedures
• Maintain strict adherence to quality standards and a “right-first-time” mindset

Safety (S)

• Follow all safety procedures, machine guarding requirements, and PPE standards
• Operate forklifts and tuggers safely in accordance with company policies and OSHA regulations (if certified)
• Use proper lifting techniques and follow ergonomic guidelines when manually handling parts
• Conduct pre-shift equipment inspections and report any safety issues
• Maintain a clean, organized workspace using 5S principles
• Identify hazards, report near misses, and support a zero-incident culture

Delivery (D)

• Meet production targets and takt time requirements
• Maintain steady machine operation to support flow and schedule attainment
• Ensure timely movement of materials to and from production areas to prevent delays
• Communicate any production delays or risks immediately
• Support continuous production flow by minimizing downtime

Cost (C) & Productivity

• Reduce scrap, rework, and material waste through precise operation and measurement
• Optimize cycle times while maintaining quality standards
• Perform basic preventive maintenance to support equipment reliability
• Minimize downtime through quick response to machine issues
• Handle materials efficiently using proper equipment to reduce damage or loss

Inventory (I)

• Properly track and handle raw materials and finished goods
• Maintain WIP control and prevent overproduction
• Support FIFO and material traceability requirements
• Safely store and transport parts on racks, pallets, or stands to prevent damage

Lean Manufacturing & Continuous Improvement

• Follow and sustain standard work processes
• Maintain 5S organization at the workstation
• Identify waste (motion, waiting, defects, over-processing) and suggest improvements
• Participate in Kaizen events and continuous improvement initiatives
• Support visual management and daily KPI tracking

Accountability & Team Participation:

• Participate in Tier 1 (daily) meetings and contribute to problem-solving discussions
• Follow direction from the Production Team Leader and support team goals
• Take ownership of individual output, quality, and performance metrics
• Collaborate with maintenance, quality, and material handling teams

Qualifications and Experience:

• High school diploma or GED preferred
• 1–3+ years of manufacturing or machine operating experience preferred
• Experience with precision measurement tools required or strong ability to learn
• Forklift/tugger operation experience preferred (or ability to become certified)
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and specifications preferred
• Strong attention to detail and high level of accuracy
• Proficiency with precision measurement tools (calipers, micrometers, gauges)
• Mechanical aptitude and equipment troubleshooting ability
• Ability to safely operate material handling equipment
• Ability to lift and handle parts in a safe and controlled manner
• Ability to follow standardized work with discipline and consistency
• Problem-solving mindset with a continuous improvement focus
• Strong communication and teamwork skills

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

• Manufacturing environment with exposure to machinery, noise, and moving equipment
• Requires standing, repetitive motion, and regular lifting of parts
• Frequent use of forklifts, tuggers, and manual material handling
• Use of PPE required (safety glasses, gloves, etc.)
• May involve shift work, overtime, and weekend coverage

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