Production Process Lead

Job Summary:
The Production Process Lead will serve as the key support to the Production Supervisor, providing engineering insight and hands-on leadership across daily manufacturing operations. While not a supervisory role initially, this position offers critical leadership presence on the floor, ensuring process reliability, quality compliance, and continuous improvement. This role is ideal for a technically capable, engineering-trained professional looking to grow into future supervisory responsibilities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Act as the Production Supervisor’s primary support and stand-in during absences or off-shift hours.
• Analyze production and quality data to drive improvements in efficiency, consistency, and defect reduction.
• Apply engineering principles to understand, improve, and troubleshoot production processes and equipment.
• Collaborate with operators and leads to optimize workflows, eliminate waste, and sustain high quality standards.
• Assist in documenting, updating, and training team members on work procedures and job instructions.
• Actively participate in continuous improvement initiatives, including 5S, Lean, and problem-solving projects.
• Support safety and compliance initiatives, including hazardous material handling and OSHA standards.
• Contribute to internal audits, ISO 9001 initiatives, and environmental/safety compliance systems.
• Maintain accurate records, perform data analysis, and assist in reporting on performance metrics.
• Assist with material handling, quality control, and production coordination as needed.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Participate in training and onboarding of new employees.
• Provide input to production leadership on team morale, training needs, and process gaps.
• May assist in forklift operations or other material handling tasks (certification provided).
• Collaborate on cross-functional projects assigned by Production Leadership or Plant Management.

Skills and Abilities:

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with a leadership mindset.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (especially Excel) and data analysis tools.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, schematics, and standard operating procedures.
• Self-directed, detail-oriented, and able to manage priorities in a dynamic environment.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• Frequent walking, standing, sitting, and occasional lifting (up to 50 lbs).
• Exposure to a typical industrial environment including fumes, noise, and moving machinery.
• Must wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).

Selection Process:

• Formal application and interview with Production Management.
• Drug screening and physical evaluation required.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, or related discipline) OR certification in General Manufacturing in Trade/Technical school is required.
• 1–3 years of experience in a manufacturing environment preferred.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and data-driven mindset.
• Comfortable working on the production floor and engaging with all levels of the team.