Manufacturing Operations Team Lead

Job Description

Job Description

Manufacturing Operations Team Lead

Location: Machesney Park, IL
Employment Type: Full-Time
Schedule: 1st Shift
Compensation: $75,000 – $95,000 per year

A Day in This Role

Walk the production floor at Rusco Manufacturing and you’ll set the pace for the shift—confirming staffing, aligning work orders to the schedule, leading a quick safety huddle, and making sure every station has what it needs to hit the day’s goals. You’ll partner with Maintenance to keep equipment running, check in with Quality on any nonconformances, coordinate with Warehouse for materials, and sync with Engineering on process updates. Throughout the day, you’ll track KPIs, remove roadblocks, coach team members, and keep quality and safety front and center. At shift-end, you’ll close the loop with reports, updates, and a brief recap to set the next team up for success.

Core Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop hourly production employees on the assigned shift.
• Plan and sequence daily work to meet customer commitments and company targets.
• Watch over schedule adherence, staffing levels, output, and downtime; take swift corrective action when needed.
• Champion a safe workplace by enforcing company safety policies and OSHA requirements.
• Uphold quality standards; respond quickly to production or quality issues to contain and correct.
• Track and communicate KPIs; implement countermeasures and follow-through.
• Drive continuous improvement to boost productivity, efficiency, quality, and reduce waste.
• Collaborate closely with Maintenance, Quality, Warehouse, Engineering, and other partners.
• Run shift meetings to set priorities and share results and expectations.
• Complete production reports, employee documentation, and other required records accurately and on time.
• Address performance, attendance, and disciplinary matters in line with company policy.
• Foster an accountable, positive, and team-oriented culture.

Qualifications

• 2–5 years of supervisory experience in a manufacturing/production setting.
• Background leading hourly production teams.
• Solid grasp of manufacturing processes, safety practices, quality systems, and throughput.
• Clear communicator and effective leader with strong problem-solving skills.
• Ability to read and interpret production schedules, work instructions, and procedures.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail.
• Comfortable in a fast-paced plant environment.
• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate’s or bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Experience with Lean, 5S, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies is a plus.

What You’ll Gain

• Competitive pay
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and holidays
• Opportunities for advancement

Ready to Lead?

If you excel at developing people, improving processes, and delivering reliable results, we’d like to meet you.

To Apply: Submit your resume or application at -at-rusco/