Team Lead - Portables

Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas, Inc.; Michigan City (IN); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Hitachi Global Air Power US, LLC in Michigan City, Indiana seeks a Team Lead to guide a production team, make quick decisions, and ensure customer needs are met. This front-line role offers growth toward a future Value Stream Leader position.

You will work 50%+ on production tasks, manage resources, and drive improvements in safety, quality, and delivery while training and mentoring staff.

Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma required; an Associate degree is preferred.
• Experience leading a team in a shop floor or production environment.
• Knowledge of ERP systems (e.g., SAP, JDE) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day production activities and allocate resources to meet targets.
• Conduct daily Gemba meetings and report barriers to production.
• Identify and implement safety, quality, on-time delivery and cost reduction efforts.
• Support 6S implementation and sustainment in the workplace.
• Ensure availability of parts, tools, and clear instructions for the team.
• Train and mentor employees on safety topics and standard procedures.
• Read and interpret engineering drawings and BOMs as needed.
• Promote teamwork and a culture of inclusion to drive high performance.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Training

Team orientation

Education

High School Diploma

Associate Degree (preferred)

ERP systems knowledge (preferred)

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Location: Michigan City, Indiana, United States Job ID: R0145782 Date Posted: 2026-09-30 Company Name: HITACHI GLOBAL AIR POWER US, LLC Profession (Job Category): Production & Skilled Trades Job Schedule: Full time Remote: No

Job Description: ummary of the position: The Team Lead is a highly visible front-line position leading a production team. This role will require quick decision making, assertiveness, great communication, and organization to meet production expectations and customer needs. The team lead position is a lead growth opportunity to become a future VSL in the company. This position is located at Hitachi Global Air Power in Michigan City, Indiana, and reports to the Value Stream Leader.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Assist Value Stream Leader in, and lead in VSL’s absence, the day-to-day allocation of resources to achieve production targets.
• Lead Gemba meeting daily with support from VSL.
• Identify, develop, and implement best practices in safety, quality, on-time delivery, and cost reduction.
• Implement and sustain all 6S requirements.
• Understand and communicate work priorities based on customer needs and resource availability.
• Ensure the team has all necessary parts, tools, information, and instructions in their area.
• Report all barriers to production with a sense of urgency.
• Utilize problem-solving skills and root cause analysis to resolve and/or mitigate operational issues.
• Assist in training employees on the weekly safety topics and ensure compliance to all safety policies.
• Read, interpret and follow basic engineering drawings, specifications, bills of materials, and other written instructions.
• Have the aptitude to learn, perform, and then ultimately train others to perform all production tasks in their assigned area
• Understand quality specifications and inspection criteria in the work areas and train others to the same
• Identify product defects and complete appropriate documentation when defects are identified.
• Operate material handling equipment, including forklifts and overhead cranes.
• Identify product defects and complete appropriate documentation when defects are identified.
• Operate material handling equipment, including forklifts and overhead cranes.
• Ensure proper material handling practices are followed and inventory control is maintained through accurate system transactions
• Promote a culture of inclusion and teamwork to ensure a high performing team.
• Monitor individual productivity and provide training and assistance to improve performance to levels of expectation.
• This position is required to perform production work at least 50% of their workday.
• 3-5 years shop floor manufacturing experience
• Ability to role his/her sleeves, lead by example and cover shortfalls within his/her team
• Demonstrated capability to perform 60% of the functions in the area

Qualifications:

Education and Knowledge

• High School Diploma
• Associate Degree in Technical and/or Business field preferred
• Knowledge of ERP systems (i.e., SAP, JDE) preferred

Professional Experience:

• 1-3 years of leadership experience preferred
• Experience working as a critical team member and leading a team requiring minimal supervision
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated ability to teach and train others
• Understanding engineering drawings, specifications, bills of materials, and other written instructions or procedures
• Computer skills (i.e., spreadsheets, data entry, email)
• Demonstrated ability to read, understand, and interpret information from measurement devices

Key behaviors:

• Lifting up to 35 lbs, lifting over 35 lbs. requires a lifting device, crane, or assistance from another associate
• Standing and walking minimum of 8 hours, must be able to bend/stoop, squat/crouch, kneel and twist
• Forklift, crane, and other material handling operations
• Must understand and comply with HGAP Safety Standards
• Ability to work flexible shifts and overtime
• Assertive
• Critical Thinking
• Process Driven
• Good Communication Skills
• Team Oriented
• Passionate

Direct reports: N/A

The successful candidate is responsible for complying with Hitachi Global Air Power US Code of Ethics and related policies. In performing the job, the incumbent shall take all steps necessary to comply with our safety rules and requirements and must actively support the organization's efforts to meet and exceed its goals of creating and maintaining a safe workplace. This description is to serve as a guide. It is intended to be flexible and will continue to evolve over time with business needs and demands and may be updated periodically and at the Company's discretion.

Hitachi Global Air Power US is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate based on race, religion, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or other protected categories under applicable law, whether in recruitment, employment, promotion, transfer, compensation, or other conditions of employment.

Hitachi brings together the world’s greatest minds to help breathe life into new possibilities – and drive innovation for a better future. That’s why we look for individuals who share our pioneering spirit, have imaginative ideas and are fearless when it comes to tackling the world’s biggest challenges. Our people love technology – and they love making a difference. They have a passion for finding new solutions and working with brilliant colleagues. Every day they dedicate themselves to a huge range of exciting projects, contributing to the Hitachi vision around the globe. From engineering new sustainability solutions that conserve water and energy to creating the infrastructure for the smart cities of tomorrow, there’s no challenge too great for our pioneers. And there’s no shortage of opportunities for you to make a difference. Come and experience the dynamic, collaborative and creative environments where your ideas are welcome and new discoveries are waiting. To help you grow to your full potential, we strive to support our employees in their career aspirations and promote the freedom to explore new horizons.

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