Structural Foam/Injection Molding - Team Lead - Lotis Technologies

Vantage Plastics; Bay City (MI); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Vantage Plastics in Bay City, MI, seeks a Production Team Lead to oversee safe, efficient manufacturing and drive continuous improvement. You will lead a team, monitor OEE, and ensure quality while meeting production goals.

The role requires strong leadership, effective communication, and hands-on supervision to train staff, manage schedules, and uphold safety standards in a fast-paced plastics environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 5 or more years of job-related experience in a production environment.
• 1 year of supervisory experience.
• Thorough understanding of vacuum thermoforming.

Responsibilities

• Lead and own all aspects of OEE (Cycle Time, Good Parts Rate, Availability).
• Foster accountability by setting clear expectations and adhering to goals and core values.
• Guide team to meet production goals, including setup times and 5S.
• Review production needs and safety concerns, offering proactive solutions.
• Schedule team members and jobs to meet production demands.
• Train team on basic machine operation and troubleshooting.
• Identify and implement process improvements for efficiency and quality.
• Monitor performance against objectives and take corrective action.
• Manage time/attendance per company policies.
• Ensure proper equipment availability for the team.
• Perform TPM tasks and report maintenance needs.
• Conduct regular performance reviews for team members.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Safety compliance

OEE metrics

Problem solving

Team motivation

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

5+ years production experience

1 year of supervisory experience

Vacuum thermoforming understanding

Tools

PLEX

Microsoft Office

Job description

Join Our Team and Mold Tomorrow’s Innovations in Plastics Manufacturing

Our Commitment

At Vantage Plastics, we are dedicated to becoming a premier employer. Our commitment to achieving this goal is centered on fostering individual development, ensuring world-class safety, and enhancing integration and process automation. We prioritize the growth and career advancement of every team member, creating a safe and healthy work environment. By streamlining our operations and implementing advanced technologies, we drive innovation and efficiency. Join Vantage Plastics as we create a future where excellence, safety, and innovation thrive.

Location: Bay City, MI

Job Id:271

# of Openings:1

2 nd shift 2:45pm – Midnight

Job Summary

A Production Team Lead ensures the safe, efficient, and quality-driven manufacturing of products within the plant. This role requires strong leadership to direct and motivate team members while maintaining morale and meeting production goals. The Team Lead is responsible for achieving operational excellence by focusing on metrics such as OEE, employee retention, and process improvement.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Lead and take ownership of all aspects of OEE (Cycle Time Achievement, Good Parts Rate, and Availability “Uptime vs. Downtime”).
• Foster a culture of accountability by setting clear expectations, ensuring compliance with company goals, processes, and core values.
• Guide the team in achieving production goals, including setup times, OEE, employee retention, and 5S implementation.
• Review production requirements, safety concerns, and emerging issues, while proactively offering solutions.
• Schedule team members and jobs to meet production requirements efficiently.
• Train team members on basic machine operation and troubleshooting, providing feedback to build skills and ensure coverage.
• Identify and implement improvements in the production process to enhance efficiency and quality.
• Monitor performance against planned objectives and take corrective action, including disciplinary measures when necessary.
• Manage time and attendance records, taking appropriate action for missed time per company policies.
• Ensure team members have proper equipment to meet job requirements.
• Perform minor maintenance tasks and ensure Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) work is completed.
• Report maintenance needs to the Maintenance and Production Manager.
• Conduct regular performance reviews for team members to support growth and accountability.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Proficiency in computer skills, including PLEX and Microsoft Office.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to effectively lead and motivate a team.
• Ensure a safe workplace by complying with MIOSHA and company safety standards.
• Deliver products that meet customer specifications and quality requirements.
• Promote teamwork to achieve production goals and support team member skill development.
• Strong understanding of performance metrics and their application to improve efficiency.

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 5 or more years of job-related experience working in a production environment.
• 1 year of supervisory experience.
• Thorough understanding of vacuum thermoforming.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to work in noisy environments.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds at times.
• Must be able to bend, stretch, squat, and climb to access all parts of the machine.