Production Shift Lead/Planner

The Production Shift Leader / Planner is responsible for driving safe, high-quality, and efficient manufacturing execution at Bedford. This position leads day-to-day operations for an assigned production area while also owning short-range planning, manpower coordination, workflow alignment, and execution discipline needed to meet business objectives. The role requires a strong floor presence, sound judgment, and the ability to lead in a fast-paced union manufacturing environment. The Production Shift Leader / Planner works closely with Production, Maintenance, Quality, Materials, Industrial Engineering, HR/LR, Safety, and other cross-functional partners to deliver results in safety, people, quality, responsiveness, cost, and environmental performance. Key Responsibilities Lead daily manufacturing operations in assigned area with a strong focus on safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people leadership. Build and execute production plans that align manpower, equipment readiness, material availability, and operating priorities. Monitor production performance, identify gaps, and drive timely countermeasures to recover misses and reduce disruption. Escalate issues quickly and effectively, ensuring roadblocks are addressed with urgency and clear ownership. Maintain a strong presence on the manufacturing floor to coach employees, verify standards, and support problem resolution where the work occurs. Lead and develop hourly employees and team leaders through coaching, feedback, accountability, recognition, and performance management. Mentor, train, and develop Group Leaders to strengthen leadership capability, standardize execution, and build bench strength across the organization. Foster an environment of teamwork, inclusion, respect, and cooperation across the organization. Support compliance with plant policies, safety requirements, good housekeeping expectations, and applicable labor agreements. Partner with Quality and Engineering to improve process capability, reduce defects, and sustain standardized work. Work with Maintenance and Materials teams to support uptime, change execution, inventory flow, and schedule stability. Drive continuous improvement using GM manufacturing principles, standard work, and practical problem-solving methods. Track and communicate key operating metrics, action plans, and risks to leadership and cross-functional stakeholders. Ensure employee timekeeping, attendance follow-up, training completion, and required administrative work are completed accurately and on time. Help build team capability by identifying skill gaps, supporting training plans, and developing bench strength for the organization. Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in a technical field, or equivalent experience. 4+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment (casting, machining, or automotive strongly preferred). 2+ years of supervisory, lead, or strong informal leadership experience (leading projects, cross‑functional teams, or IE teams). Proven ability to influence cross‑functional teams (production, maintenance, quality, HR/LR) and drive change. Strong communication skills with the ability to present complex analyses and recommendations clearly to hourly and salaried audiences. Preferred Qualifications 2+ years of experience specifically in die casting and/or machining within automotive or a unionized manufacturing environment. Prior experience as a Lead or similar role with responsibility for mentoring/supervising other manufacturing employees. Demonstrated experience and/or knowledge of GM Global Manufacturing System (GMS) and related standards. #J-18808-Ljbffr