Garment Production Lead

ReadyOne Industries is seeking a Production Team Lead to serve as the frontline leader on our sewing production floor. This role directly oversees approximately 30 production operators in the manufacturing of military garments—including JSLIST Coats, JSLIST Trousers, and 2PUG products—under government contracts administered through the AbilityOne Program. The Production Team Lead is the critical bridge between management and the production workforce. This individual maintains daily production flow, enforces quality standards, verifies timekeeping for payroll accuracy, and fosters an inclusive environment where employees of all abilities contribute to mission‑critical output for the U.S. Department of Defense. ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Daily Production Operations & Floor Management Maintain 75–80% floor presence throughout each shift, conducting structured floor walks to monitor line flow, identify bottlenecks, and ensure operators have materials and functioning equipment. Monitor production output against daily targets; execute real‑time line balancing adjustments to maintain throughput. Lead daily shift huddles covering production targets, quality alerts, safety reminders, and any operational changes. Document and communicate end‑of‑shift production summaries, noting variances, downtime events, and corrective actions taken. 2. Quality Assurance & Compliance Enforce in‑line quality standards for government contract specifications, conducting periodic in‑process inspections at operator stations. Identify and address common sewing defects (skipped stitches, seam misalignment, tension irregularities, incorrect stitch count) through immediate corrective coaching. Partner with Quality Assurance to respond to audit findings, implement corrective actions, and prevent recurrence of non‑conformances. Maintain awareness of contract‑specific quality requirements and communicate changes to the team promptly. 3. Timekeeping & Payroll Verification Verify daily time records for all assigned team members through PayCom, ensuring accurate clock‑in/clock‑out, break compliance, and proper cost‑center coding. Identify and resolve timekeeping exceptions—missed punches, unauthorized overtime, early departures, and break violations—within 24 hours of occurrence. Submit verified and approved time records to Payroll by established deadlines each pay period. Maintain compliance with FLSA and Service Contract Act (SCA) requirements governing timekeeping practices for government contract employees. 4. People Management & Team Development Directly lead approximately 30 production operators, providing daily direction, coaching, and performance feedback in a manner that supports employees with diverse abilities. Manage attendance through established protocols, including documenting occurrences, conducting return‑to‑work conversations, and escalating patterns to HR as appropriate. Conduct regular one‑on‑one coaching conversations, using progressive coaching and corrective action frameworks to address performance gaps. Support the 16‑week sewing operator bootcamp by mentoring new operators transitioning from the Training Center to the production line and enforcing the 30‑day no‑transfer policy. Identify high‑potential team members and coordinate cross‑training opportunities to build bench strength and operational flexibility. 5. AbilityOne Compliance & Inclusive Workforce Champion an inclusive production environment that enables employees with physical, mobility, cognitive, and mental health disabilities to perform at their best. Implement and monitor workplace accommodations in coordination with HR, ensuring accommodations are maintained and effective without compromising production standards. Support the organization’s 75% direct labor hours (ODLH) disability ratio by fostering retention and engagement among all team members. Model respectful, person‑first communication and hold team members accountable for maintaining an inclusive workplace culture. Conduct daily pre‑shift safety walkthroughs of the production area, identifying and correcting hazards before production begins. Enforce OSHA compliance standards, PPE requirements, and ReadyOne safety protocols; report all incidents, near‑misses, and unsafe conditions immediately. Collaborate with SafetyPlus (third‑party EHS partner), HRBPs, and operations leadership to investigate incidents and implement corrective actions. Promote ergonomic awareness and injury prevention practices tailored to repetitive sewing operations and material handling tasks. Serve as the primary communication link between production operators and the Production Supervisor, escalating issues that exceed the Team Lead’s decision authority using the solve/support/escalate framework. Communicate production updates, schedule changes, and organizational announcements clearly and consistently to the team in both English and Spanish as needed. Participate in weekly leadership meetings and contribute floor‑level insights to production planning and S&OP alignment discussions. REPORTING STRUCTURE Relationship Details Reports To Direct Reports ~30 Production Operators (Sewing) Key Partners Quality Assurance, Training Center, HR/HRBPs, SafetyPlus, Cutting & Packaging Departments Dotted Line In‑Line Trainers (coordination for new operator integration) Qualifications REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS High school diploma or GED equivalent. Experience in a sewing or cut‑and‑sew manufacturing environment. Minimum 1 year of experience in a lead, supervisory, or team coordination role on a production floor. Knowledge of operating and troubleshooting industrial sewing machines (single‑needle, double‑needle, overlock, flatseam). Working knowledge of timekeeping systems and payroll verification processes. Ability to read and interpret production work orders, quality specifications, and standard operating procedures. Strong verbal communication skills with the ability to lead shift huddles, deliver coaching, and address performance issues. Basic computer literacy (email, production tracking systems, timekeeping software). Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods (8+ hours), lift up to 35 lbs, and work in a manufacturing floor environment. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Bilingual in English and Spanish (strongly preferred given El Paso workforce demographics). Experience working within AbilityOne, SourceAmerica, or similar disability employment programs. Familiarity with government contract manufacturing requirements, including DLA specifications and DCAA compliance. Experience with PayCom or comparable HRIS/timekeeping platforms. Knowledge of Lean manufacturing principles, 5S, or Six Sigma methodologies. OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification. Experience mentoring or training employees with physical, cognitive, or developmental disabilities. LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES Mission Alignment Embodies ReadyOne’s mission of creating meaningful employment for individuals with disabilities; leads with purpose and servant leadership. Maintains visible, hands‑on presence on the production floor; leads by example and earns the trust of operators through daily engagement. Creates an environment where employees of all abilities feel valued; adapts communication and coaching styles to meet individual needs. Accountability Takes ownership of team production, quality, and attendance outcomes; addresses issues directly and follows through on commitments. Problem‑Solving Applies structured approaches (5‑Why, solve/support/escalate) to resolve production issues quickly and prevent recurrence. Safety Leadership Drives a zero‑incident culture through proactive hazard identification, consistent enforcement, and personal example. WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Full‑time, on‑site position in a sewing production facility in El Paso, Texas. Manufacturing floor environment with industrial sewing machines, cutting equipment, and material handling operations. Must be able to stand and walk continuously for shifts of 8+ hours. Must be able to lift and carry materials up to 35 lbs. Exposure to typical manufacturing noise levels; hearing protection may be required in designated areas. Overtime may be required to meet production demands or government contract deadlines. COMPENSATION & BENEFITS ReadyOne Industries offers a competitive hourly wage commensurate with experience, along with a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance; paid time off; and eligibility for performance‑based incentives. As a mission‑driven organization, ReadyOne provides the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals with disabilities while contributing to national defense readiness. ReadyOne Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. #J-18808-Ljbffr