Team Lead, Manufacturing - US

Watlow; Columbia Township (MO); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Watlow is seeking a Team Leader, Manufacturing to provide frontline leadership for a production team, driving SQDCP (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, People) performance. You will coach staff, manage safety, maintain quality, and apply the Watlow Business System to achieve operational excellence.

Responsibilities include leading daily operations, developing team capability, solving problems with RCCA, and promoting a culture of accountability and continuous improvement across Lean initiatives.

Qualifications

• Experience leading or supervising employees in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with production scheduling and workforce planning.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement tools.
• Strong leadership and communication abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily manufacturing operations to safely meet production schedules and customer commitments.
• Coach and develop production team members; conduct performance discussions and recognize accomplishments.
• Drive RCCA problem-solving and adherence to standardized work to reduce defects and waste.
• Apply Lean principles and lead Kaizen events for continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, and Supply Chain to resolve issues and improve operations.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Lean Manufacturing

RCCA

Operational metrics

Collaboration

Education

Associate degree in Manufacturing/Business or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Manufacturing systems

Job description

Team Leader, Manufacturing

Position Summary

The Team Leader, Manufacturing provides frontline leadership for a manufacturing team, ensuring the safe, efficient, and consistent production of quality products that meet customer expectations. This role is responsible for driving daily performance across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and People (SQDCP) while fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and employee engagement. The Team Leader coaches and develops team members, removes barriers to performance, and applies the Watlow Business System (WBS) to achieve operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Safety

• Promote and maintain a strong safety culture by ensuring compliance with all safety policies and procedures.
• Lead daily safety activities, risk identification, and corrective actions.
• Ensure team members receive required safety training and consistently follow safe work practices.

People Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop production team members to achieve high levels of performance and engagement.
• Conduct regular performance discussions, provide timely feedback, and recognize accomplishments.
• Foster a culture built on teamwork, accountability, respect, and inclusion.
• Support onboarding and training of new employees while developing cross-functional capabilities within the team.

Quality

• Ensure products consistently meet customer and quality requirements.
• Lead problem-solving activities using Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) methodologies.
• Drive adherence to standardized work and continuous improvement initiatives to reduce defects and waste.

Delivery & Operations

• Direct daily manufacturing operations to safely achieve production schedules and customer commitments.
• Manage staffing, attendance, and labor resources to optimize productivity and meet capacity requirements.
• Monitor production performance and quickly resolve issues impacting throughput or delivery.
• Utilize visual management and daily operating systems to drive performance improvements.

Continuous Improvement

• Apply Lean Manufacturing principles to improve operational performance.
• Participate in and lead Kaizen events and other continuous improvement activities.
• Identify opportunities to eliminate waste, improve processes, and enhance productivity.

Communication & Collaboration

• Communicate effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Partner with Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Human Resources, and other functional teams to resolve issues and improve operations.
• Support organizational initiatives and effectively communicate business objectives to the production team.

Qualifications

Preferred Education

• Associate degree in Manufacturing, Business, or a related field preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant manufacturing leadership experience in lieu of a degree.

Preferred Experience

• Previous experience leading or supervising employees in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with production scheduling, workforce planning, and performance metrics.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong leadership and coaching skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities.
• Proven problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to analyze operational metrics and drive performance improvements.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement tools.
• Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and manufacturing systems.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to build collaborative working relationships across departments.