Job Description Overview:
I. Role Purpose
The Production Lead is the first line of management within the Sensaria manufacturing team. This role is responsible for training technicians on approved production procedures, answering technical questions, and directing line operators to ensure safety, quality, and throughput standards are maintained at all times. The Production Lead maintains a constant presence on the production floor and works in close communication with the Production Supervisor, using software tools and troubleshooting techniques to proactively address quality, equipment, and order issues. The Production Lead also builds product as needed throughout the shift.
II. Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Training & Development
- Train new hires and existing staff in all department procedures and approved production processes
- Follow training schedules outlined by the Supervisor; communicate trainee statuses, milestones, and production issues
- Take initiative to stay updated on all new procedures and changes; communicate inconsistencies in training materials or procedures to the Supervisor
- Work with operators and Training Assistants when an operator has repeated rejects or is not meeting expected rates
- Ensure operators follow Work Instructions; contact Training Assistant as needed
Production Floor Leadership
- Respond to technician questions, provide feedback, and ensure techs follow correct procedures
- Assist the Supervisor in promoting urgency and maintaining daily workflow goals and assignments
- Notify the Production Manager when there are too many or too few operators on the line
- Move operators between positions to best balance product flow (eliminate stacking)
- Fill in at fold, ship, or final inspection as needed to help resolve bottlenecks
- Fill in for operators if they leave the line
- Perform all responsibilities outlined in the Department Technician job description
Quality & Equipment
- Escalate quality concerns immediately to Production Manager or Quality Supervisor (5+ units for one issue over a 1-hour period)
- Fix printers, baggers, and other equipment if possible; if unable, create a Maintenance Red Alert
- Create IT and Material request tickets as needed
- Create barcodes as needed for unreadable labels
- Update customer orders to correct address issues as needed
- Escalate trouble units to the Past Due Coordinator immediately with notes attached
- Move over shipments to the Past Due Coordinator immediately with notes attached
Order Tracking & Reporting
- Track and expedite past due orders
- Utilize Shop Planning Reports throughout the shift to identify and resolve orders in barcode label or final inspection status for more than 2 hours
- Participate in regular department meetings with the Supervisor
- Communicate workflow concerns, production errors, and safety issues to the Supervisor
End-of-Shift Responsibilities
- Complete final walkthrough to ensure no product is left between fold and ship
- Confirm no product remains at Final Inspection; all products have been touched up and shipped, or rejected
- Ensure all boxed products are on shipping pallets
- Confirm all troubled orders are resolved or moved to Past Due Coordinator with notes
- Verify no units remain in “barcode label” or “final inspection” status
- Conduct 5S walkthrough; ensure operators clean up area, wipe down folders, and verify all printer/equipment function
Lean Manufacturing & Continuous Improvement
- Drive one-piece flow – no stacking; stop the line if needed
- Use basic problem-solving skills to resolve quality issues and minimize defective product
- Drive 5S continuous improvements
- Learn and support implementation of lean manufacturing systems
- Identify and escalate process improvements to the Production Manager and Engineer
III. Additional Task and Responsibilities
- Participate in regular department meetings with the Supervisor
- In the absence of the Supervisor, assume essential supervisory duties with the assistance of the Production Manager
- Work directly with Production Management on special projects as needed
- Perform other duties and special projects as assigned
This job description represents a summary of responsibilities. It is not a contract and is not an exhaustive list of every possible responsibility. Employees can expect to be assigned additional work not explicitly contained in this description to ensure excellent customer service and product delivery.
IV. Professional Experience and Educational Qualifications
Education & Formal Training
- High School diploma or G.E.D. equivalent required
- General production experience preferred
- Experience in Lean Principles preferred
Experience
- Will be required to demonstrate competency in all procedures or tasks they instruct others in
- Understands department and company goals; proactively works toward achieving them
- Experience in high-volume manufacturing environments a plus
Availability
- Available for overtime during busy seasons of the year
- Flexible with scheduling changes
- Reliable in work ethic and attendance; willing to work shifts and extended hours as needed
V. Specific Skills and Competencies
Communication & Interpersonal Skills
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills – verbal and written in English required
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred
- Confidently able to communicate technical information
- Must be an effective listener
- Must remain accessible and professional in high-pressure situations
Leadership & Judgment
- Ability to motivate others to perform at their best
- Demonstrates personal responsibility and accountability
- Reinforces standards and expectations regarding quality of work
- Ability to give and receive constructive feedback and effectively apply it
- Effective observational skills with ability to react consistently and with sound judgment
- Able to lead and manage peers; approachable and responsive to a variety of people and issues
Organization & Technical
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
- Computer literate; ability to multi-task and continuously reassess priorities
- A passion for teaching, demonstrated by enthusiasm and care
- Capable of working in demanding situations when required
VI. Organizational Structure
Functional Area Manufacturing / Production
Immediate Manager Production Supervisor / Production Manager
Subordinates (functionally) None
Other key interfaces (relationship)
Line Operators, Training Assistants, Quality Control Auditor, Production Managers, Quality Supervisor, Training Coordinator, Manufacturing Engineers, Maintenance Technicians, Warehouse Staff, and all departments as needed
Working Environment and Physical Demands
Typical manufacturing environment. Requires prolonged standing, walking, bending, stooping, lifting, and stretching for up to 12-hour shifts. Must be able to lift and carry up to 25 lbs. Requires eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity. Must be able to recognize color differences to properly inspect product.
FLSA Status Full-time, non-exempt from overtime. Consistent and dependable attendance required.
