Material Handling Process Team Leader (1st Shift)
Stryker
Summary
Shift: Monday - Wednesday (plus every other Thursday) 5 am to 5 pm EST
Job description
What you will do
As the Material Handling Process Team Leader on 1st shift, you will lead material handling operations to ensure the safe, efficient flow of materials supporting production. You will be responsible for team performance across safety, quality, delivery, productivity, employee engagement, and cost while developing employees and driving continuous improvement.
- Lead and develop the material handling team, providing coaching, performance management, career development, and accountability.
- Ensure effective material flow and replenishment to support production schedules and minimize production disruptions.
- Allocate labor and resources based on production needs, priorities, and operational standards.
- Proactively identify and troubleshoot material, equipment, or process issues that could impact production.
- Partner with cross-functional teams to resolve issues, support production goals, and drive operational performance.
- Use data, KPIs, and operational metrics to identify priorities, forecast business needs, and drive decision-making.
- Identify and lead process improvement, cost reduction, and standardization initiatives.
- Drive a culture of continuous improvement through Lean manufacturing, 6S, and other operational excellence initiatives.
- Lead and coach the Managing Daily Improvement (MDI) process through Tier 2 and support Tier 3 as needed.
- Own and execute Leader Standard Work (LSW) and audit requirements, including Quality and 6S.
- Manage labor requirements, including overtime approval, timecard management, and workforce planning.
- Support recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and workforce planning for temporary and permanent employees.
- Foster employee engagement and a culture focused on safety, accountability, teamwork, and employee development.
- Ensure compliance with regulatory, quality, legal, corporate, and human resources policies and procedures.
- Participate in audits and lead plant tours as needed.
Required
- Bachelor's degree or 6+ years of equivalent experience in addition to the below requirements
- 4+ years of relevant experience
Preferred
- 1+ year of people management/leadership experience - preferred
- Ability to drive team productivity, while maintaining high levels of quality, safety, employee engagement and morale
- Demonstrated leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to teach and coach individuals from diverse backgrounds with varying communication and technical skills
- Lean Six Sigma or related experience
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree or 6+ years of equivalent experience
- 4+ years of relevant experience
- 1+ year of people management/leadership experience (preferred)
- Lean Six Sigma or related experience (preferred)
- Demonstrated leadership and interpersonal skills
- Ability to teach and coach individuals from diverse backgrounds
Company overview
Stryker is a global leader in medical technology, founded in 1941 by Dr. Homer Stryker and headquartered in Kalamazoo, Michigan. As one of the world's premier medical device companies, Stryker operates across three major business segments: Medical and Surgical Equipment, Orthopaedics and Spine, and Neurotechnology. The company impacts more than 150 million patients annually through its innovative products and services sold in over 75 countries worldwide. With approximately 53,000 employees globally and annual sales of $22.6 billion in 2024, Stryker maintains a strong commitment to research and development, investing $1.5 billion in R&D annually. The company's diverse portfolio includes surgical instruments, orthopedic implants, neurovascular devices, endoscopic systems, and advanced digital healthcare solutions. Stryker is recognized for its Mako robotic-assisted surgery systems and has been consistently ranked as one of Fortune's World's Best Workplaces for eight consecutive years, demonstrating its commitment to corporate culture and employee development.