Operations Shift Lead

Job Summary

This leadership role serves as the key operational bridge between shop floor supervisors and the Operations Manager. Responsible for coordinating daily manufacturing activities across shifts, overseeing current operations supervisors, ensuring seamless shift transitions, and driving production goals, safety, quality, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Essential Job Functions

• Directs and coordinates daily manufacturing operations by overseeing current operations supervisors, establishing production priorities, and ensuring schedules are executed efficiently.
• Manages cross-shift communication and handovers to maintain continuous production flow, resolve bottlenecks, and hit on-time delivery (OTD) and quality targets.
• Supports and mentors supervisors and shop floor personnel by monitoring performance, providing guidance, and ensuring adherence to company standards, OSHA regulations, and safety policies.
• Leads or facilitates continuous improvement and Lean/Kaizen projects to drive efficiency, reduce scrap, and optimize capacity across manufacturing areas.
• Reviews key performance metrics and production data, reporting directly to the Operations Manager with strategic recommendations and performance updates.
• Ensures compliance with quality control standards, Device History Records (DHR), and standard operating procedures (SOPs) across all supervised areas.
• Fosters a culture of teamwork, open communication, and accountability among supervisors and shop floor teams.
• Participates in management planning, operational reviews, and cross-departmental problem-solving to support overall business objectives.
• Ensures proper maintenance, calibration, and utilization of equipment, tools, and safety gear.
• Performs other leadership and operational tasks as assigned by the Operations Manager.

Qualifications: Skills and Abilities

• Strong leadership and management skills, with proven experience guiding supervisors, teams, or multi-shift operations.
• Excellent operational and business acumen, including problem-solving, project management, data analysis, and decision-making capabilities.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to build alignment between management, supervisors, and shop floor staff.
• High attention to detail and strong organizational skills for tracking metrics, production plans, and quality compliance.
• Proficient in business systems and Microsoft Office programs (Outlook, Word, Excel); ERP system experience (such as Visual) is a strong plus.
• Able to read, write, speak, and understand English.

Knowledge and Experience

• 3–5 years of progressive experience in operations, manufacturing, or production management, preferably in a medical device or highly regulated manufacturing environment.
• 2+ years in a supervisory, team lead, or management role overseeing staff and daily production workflows.
• Demonstrated experience with Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies.
• Thorough understanding of shop floor nomenclature, manufacturing safety, and quality compliance.

Physical/Mental Involvement & Environmental Factors

• Physical Requirements: Regularly required to stand, walk, sit, bend, reach, and twist. Must be able to move around the production floor and lift up to 50 pounds when necessary.
• Mental Requirements: High mental demand requiring critical thinking, multitasking, analyzing complex operational data, resolving multi-shift friction points, and working under production deadlines.
• Working Conditions: Split between an industrial manufacturing/warehouse environment (near machinery and metal-finishing processes) and an office setting. Required to wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE) when on the shop floor.