Production Leader

Job Description

Job Description

Production Leader: Sterling, IL

Our client is seeking an experienced Production Leader to oversee day-to-day production operations within a manufacturing environment supporting both machining and assembly. This is a hands-on leadership opportunity for someone who enjoys developing teams, improving processes, solving production challenges, and ensuring safety, quality, and customer expectations are consistently met.

The Production Leader will oversee machinists, assemblers, operators, and production supervisors while working closely with Planning, Purchasing, Warehouse, Quality, Engineering, Safety, HR, and other departments to keep production running efficiently.

Key Responsibilities:

Production & Operational Leadership

• Lead daily machining and assembly operations to achieve production, quality, safety, and customer delivery goals
• Optimize labor, equipment, and resources to maintain efficient workflow and overall production performance
• Proactively address operational challenges, production bottlenecks, and changing priorities

Production Planning & Execution

• Execute production plans while balancing customer demand, available capacity, materials, and resources
• Collaborate with Planning, Purchasing, and Warehouse teams to maintain material availability and uninterrupted production
• Monitor production performance and adjust priorities as needed to meet deadlines and customer commitments

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach, and develop production supervisors, machinists, assemblers, and operators while fostering a culture of accountability
• Establish performance expectations and support employee development through ongoing coaching, training, and feedback
• Promote strong communication, teamwork, safety awareness, and continuous improvement across production teams

Continuous Improvement & Process Optimization

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on productivity, efficiency, cycle time, downtime, waste reduction, and resource utilization
• Champion TPS, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other process improvement methodologies
• Partner with Engineering and cross-functional teams to improve manufacturing processes, equipment setups, tooling, and production flow

Quality & Compliance

• Ensure production operations meet engineering specifications, customer requirements, and established quality standards
• Support quality audits, root cause analysis, and corrective actions to resolve production and process issues
• Maintain compliance with ISO 9001:2015 requirements and standardized work practices

Safety & Environmental Leadership

• Champion a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with OSHA, environmental, and company safety requirements
• Proactively identify and address workplace hazards while reinforcing safe work practices and proper PPE usage
• Support safety audits, training, and continuous improvement of workplace safety practices

Skills & Experience :

• Education : Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or similar discipline, required. APICS, CPIM, or similar certification, preferred
• Experience : 5+ years of machining & assembly manufacturing experience, required
• Knowledge: TPS, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies, strongly preferred
• Software: ERP & Microsoft Office Suite proficiency, required

What W e Offer:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
• 401(k) w/ company match
• Company-paid Life & Disability Insurance
• Vacation Time
• PTO
• Paid Holidays
• And More!

Please Note:

This role does not offer visa sponsorship or relocation assistance. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.

Pay: $135,000 - $145,000/year + annual bonus

Type: Full-time, 1st Shift, On-site

Schedule: Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Apply today to take the next step in your career!

Hughes Recruiting & Consulting is a full-service human resources agency headquartered in Freeport, IL, and has 11 locations across Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. We are a growing company that embodies professionalism, pursues excellence, embraces challenges, and has fun! We find valuable placements for employees looking for work and employers looking for staff. Put us to work, finding you work. Visit us online to complete an application today.