Production Lead, Manufacturing

Position: Production Lead, Manufacturing
Location: Warwick, RI
Starting Pay: $20-23 per hour DOE

THE MOST TRUSTED NAME IN CELEBRATING STUDENT MILESTONES – HERFF JONES
Herff Jones is the leading provider of graduation and educational products and services designed to inspire achievement and create memorable experiences for students. Herff Jones' products include class rings and jewelry, caps and gowns, yearbooks, diplomas, frames, announcements, and Greek accessories as well as motivation and recognition programs.
Since 1920, our team has worked alongside students, faculty, and staff on campuses nationwide to help build a stronger community and celebrate student milestones. Our continued success relies on hiring extraordinary talent, with a passion for making a difference and eagerness to roll up the sleeves, to help us write the story of our next 100 years.

Position Summary
The Production Lead, Manufacturing, supports the Operations Manager in overseeing daily operations, workflow, and employee performance within the production process. This position ensures that production goals are met with a strong emphasis on quality, efficiency, safety, and employee development. The Production Lead acts as a working leader and primary point of contact for employees in the department, driving continuous improvement while ensuring customer orders are produced to the highest standards.

Key Responsibilities
Production & Workflow Management
• Monitor and coordinate daily workflow to ensure production schedules, quotas, and delivery goals are met.
• Track order status, prioritize work assignments, and expedite orders as required to meet deadlines.
• Complete and review daily production reports, providing updates to the Operations Manager.
• Assist with production planning, capacity analysis, and scheduling adjustments as needed.

Quality & Continuous Improvement
• Maintain and improve product quality by proactively identifying and resolving issues with upstream or downstream processes.
• Perform in-process inspections, monitor quality standards, and implement corrective actions when necessary.
• Partner with management and employees to identify process improvement opportunities, trial new methods, and support lean manufacturing initiatives.
• Support continuous improvement (CI) projects to increase efficiency, reduce waste, and optimize resource utilization.

Safety & Compliance
• Ensure compliance with all company and OSHA safety standards, including safe equipment usage, PPE, and proper handling of hazardous materials.
• Conduct routine safety checks and reinforce safe work practices among employees.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of MSDS and emergency response procedures.

Team Leadership & Development
• Act as the first-line resource for employee questions, concerns, and problem-solving in the absence of the Operations Manager.
• Provide on-the-job coaching, mentoring, and support to production team members.
• Assist in employee performance evaluations by providing feedback on skill development, productivity, and teamwork.
• Recommend and facilitate training and cross-training initiatives to build team versatility and strengthen workforce capabilities.
• Promote teamwork, accountability, and a positive workplace culture.

Operational Support
• Maintain inventory of tools, supplies, and materials to support uninterrupted production.
• Manage flag system and change requests, ensuring timely updates and closure of old requests.
• Partner with Customer Service Representatives to resolve scheduling or order issues.
• Ensure compliance with HR policies, rules, and practices, maintaining fairness and consistency across the team.

Minimum Qualifications
• High school diploma or GED required; additional technical training preferred.
• 2+ years of experience in manufacturing production or production control; prior lead/supervisory experience strongly preferred.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to prioritize effectively.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook); ability to learn production software systems.
• Ability to work overtime and weekends during peak seasons.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills with a continuous improvement mindset.

Physical Demands
• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs.
• Frequent walking, standing, and movement throughout the plant.
• Good vision and color vision required for quality inspections.
• Ability to manage high workloads and stress levels during peak production periods.


About Herff Jones:
Indianapolis-based Herff Jones is the l