Assembly Lead

Assembly Lead

The Assembly Lead is responsible for coordinating and directing daily assembly, bagging, packaging, labeling, and production support activities to ensure work orders are completed accurately, safely, and on time. This position provides day-to-day leadership to assembly personnel, assigns and monitors work activities, supports training and performance development, and helps ensure operational objectives are achieved.

The Assembly Lead works alongside the team in the execution of assembly and packaging activities while serving as a subject matter expert for work order execution, product quality, production efficiency, safety compliance, and standard operating procedures. In partnership with the Distribution Center Supervisor, this position supports continuous improvement initiatives, promotes Lean operational excellence, and helps drive a culture of safety, accountability, and quality.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Coordinate and monitor daily assembly, bagging, labeling, packaging, boxing, and palletizing activities to ensure customer and operational requirements are met.
• Assign and prioritize daily work activities to assembly personnel to meet production schedules, work orders, quality requirements, and productivity goals.
• Provide hands-on operational support as necessary to maintain workflow and operational performance.
• Review work orders, bills of materials, packaging specifications, and production instructions for completeness and accuracy.
• Ensure products are assembled, packaged, labeled, and palletized according to established specifications and quality standards.
• Monitor production output, workflow, labor utilization, and work order completion to ensure efficient operations.
• Provide day-to-day leadership, coaching, training, and performance feedback to assembly personnel.
• Monitor employee work progress and provide guidance regarding productivity, quality, safety, and adherence to standard work.
• Investigate production, assembly, quality, and inventory discrepancies; implement corrective actions within established procedures and escalate complex issues as needed.
• Coordinate material availability and communicate shortages, production issues, or delays to leadership.
• Promote and enforce company safety policies, hazard reporting, and safe work practices.
• Promote and reinforce 5S, Lean, and standard work practices while identifying opportunities to improve productivity, quality, safety, and operational efficiency.
• Support inventory accuracy by ensuring proper material consumption, transaction processing, and finished goods reporting.
• Assist in cross-training employees to support operational flexibility and business continuity.
• Support the Distribution Center Supervisor with KPI tracking, production reporting, workforce planning, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Maintain compliance with company quality standards, ISO requirements, safety policies, and standard operating procedures.

Key Responsibilities:

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED
• 4+ years of manufacturing, assembly, production, packaging, warehouse, or distribution experience preferred.
• Experience operating assembly, packaging, bagging, labeling, or related production equipment.
• Experience operating Forklift, Reach Truck, and Order Picker equipment preferred; certification required or ability to obtain certification.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate workflow and provide work direction to employees.
• Experience using RF scanners, ERP systems, or production tracking systems preferred.
• Basic computer proficiency including Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to work overtime and flexible schedules as business needs require.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of assembly, packaging, bagging, labeling, palletizing, and material handling processes.
• Ability to read and interpret work orders, bills of materials, production schedules, and work instructions.
• Ability to assign, prioritize, and coordinate daily work activities to meet operational objectives.
• Ability to coach, train, and develop employees through performance feedback and on-the-job instruction.
• Ability to identify operational issues, determine appropriate solutions, and implement corrective actions within established procedures.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to product quality and accuracy.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate with employees, leadership, inventory control, and warehouse personnel.
• Ability to monitor productivity, quality, and safety performance while maintaining operational standards.
• Commitment to safety, quality, customer service, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to maintain accurate production records, reports, and operational documentation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a lead, trainer, mentor, or subject matter expert role.
• Experience utilizing ERP, SAP, or production tracking systems.
• Experience operating automated bagging, sealing, labeling, or packaging equipment.
• Experience in warehouse, manufacturing, distribution, or production environments.
• Lean Manufacturing, 5S, Kaizen, or Continuous Improvement experience.
• Experience supporting inventory accuracy and material control activities.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Desired Characteristics

• Customer-focused with a strong sense of ownership.
• Demonstrates a strong safety mindset and commitment to safe work practices.
• Leads by example through active participation, professionalism, and accountability.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented.
• Effective coach and team-oriented leader.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• High integrity and accountability.
• Adaptable and responsive to changing business priorities.
• Demonstrates sound judgment and decision-making skills.
• Strong work ethic, punctuality, and dependable attendance.
• Committed to quality, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position does not have direct supervisory authority and does not make final employment decisions regarding hiring, discipline, promotion, compensation, or termination. In partnership with the Distribution Center Supervisor, the Assembly Lead provides day-to-day leadership by coordinating work activities, monitoring workflow, providing coaching and training, reinforcing safety requirements, supporting employee development, and helping ensure departmental objectives are achieved. The Assembly Lead serves as the primary point of contact for daily assembly and packaging operations and supports the successful execution of operational priorities.