Team Lead

Job Description

Job Title: Manufacturing Team Lead

Department Name: Lasting

Effective Date: 8/4/2026

Reports to (title) : Lasting Manufacturing

# of Direct Reports: 15-25

# Indirect Reports: 0

Individual Contributor: Yes, XX No

Full Time/Part Time: Full time

# Hours Per Week: 40-55 Hours

Average Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 6:00 - 2:30; Overtime and Saturdays When Required

Location: 40 Walter Jones Blv.

Job Summary:

The Team Lead - Manufacturing (Boots) is responsible for overseeing and coordinating day-to-day boot manufacturing operations to ensure the safe, efficient, and cost-effective production of high-quality products. This role provides frontline leadership to production teams, ensuring adherence to production schedules, quality standards, safety regulations, and operational procedures. Drives workforce performance through effective supervision, coaching, and continuous improvement initiatives while fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, and operational excellence. Working collaboratively with Quality Assurance, Maintenance, Planning, Engineering, and Supply Chain functions, the Team Lead ensures optimal resource utilization, resolves production challenges, and supports the achievement of the organization's manufacturing objectives, customer commitments, and business goals.

Scope of job:

The Manufacturing Team Lead is responsible for leading and coordinating the day-to-day operations of the assigned production area.

Is accountable for achieving production targets through effective planning, resource allocation, and team supervision while driving continuous improvement initiatives to enhance productivity, reduce waste, and improve overall operational efficiency.

The position serves as the primary point of contact for resolving production issues, maintaining equipment readiness in collaboration with Maintenance, and coordinating with Quality Assurance, Planning, Engineering, Warehouse, and Supply Chain functions to ensure uninterrupted production flow.

In addition, the role is responsible for developing team capability through coaching, training, supports the organization's operational excellence objectives by ensuring consistent execution of manufacturing processes, effective utilization of resources, and adherence to company policies and industry best practices.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Set goals and objectives for department.

• Delegate tasks and make sure deadlines are met.

• Foster a collaborative environment by focusing on solutions and working constructively with other departments.
• Gain a thorough understanding of issues within your own department.
• Prioritize resolving department issues effectively.
• Demonstrate respect for employees working as a team including supervisors, leaders and other departments.
• Collaborate on problem solving and process improvement initiatives.
• Ensure processes are not changed without proper authorization and hold team accountable to adhering to standard processes.
• Develop, work, and provide a detailed list of department operations; communicate to team, and cross functional progress.
• Must understand department operations to ensure proper process and quality standards, communicate and close gaps with team.
• Spend most of the time focusing on walking production lines throughout the day, providing coaching, updates, and training.

• Constantly improve line performance by giving feedback and training to team and goal attainment.
• Ensure operator training is completed and sustained for all bootmakers and operators as needed.
• Understand and know the short-term as well as long-range goals and targets for production and how they tie to the daily/weekly/monthly production plan. Communicate this to the team to drive engagement for goal attainment.
• Continue monitoring and updating Standard Operating Procedures as needed.
• Plan and execute effective line startups, ensure cleaning on all equipment is maintained, plan new product runs effectively.
• Ensure daily shut-down procedures are communicated and completed.
• Lead meetings with employees at the end/beginning of a shift (debrief) communicating needed information for the business flow. Provide praise and recognition for jobs well done and provide support for areas needing improvement.
• Generate ideas to improve efficiency on the lines or relevant topics.
• Communicate clearly with the team about what is expected and monitor performance and address deficiencies through coaching and positive motivation and/or formal disciplinary action, if required.
• Reinforcing all company policies, Standard Operating Procedures, and safety rules and procedures. Advise management of discrepancies.
• Develop and maintain a strong teamwork environment.
• Performs other duties and provides support to other departments as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Ability to lead team(s) of people to ensure production goals, quality, and safety metrics are met.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Preferred bilingual in Spanish and English.
• Excellent people's skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks daily/weekly.
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Analyze issues effectively.
• Identifies root causes of problems.
• Demonstrates professionalism.
• Maintains organized work processes.
• Share information effectively.
• Listen actively to team concerns.
• Build trust and credibility.

Education, Experience, and/or Certifications:

• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• 2-3 years of experience leading a team in a production environment.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent preferred.
• Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) or equivalent workplace safety certification.
• First Aid and CPR Certification (preferred).
• 5S Workplace Organization and Visual Management Training.
• Supervisory or Leadership Development Certification.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during the work shift.
• Ability to occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, climb stairs, and reach above shoulder level.
• Ability to frequently use hands and fingers to handle, grasp, operate tools, equipment, keyboards, and other production-related devices.
• Ability to visually inspect products, equipment, production processes, and workplace conditions, including close and distance.
• Ability to hear and respond to verbal instructions, alarms, and other workplace communications.
• Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull materials or equipment weighing up to 25 pounds and, with or without assistance or mechanical lifting devices, move heavier items as required.
• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with exposure to machinery, moving equipment, varying temperatures, noise, dust, and other conditions typical of an industrial setting while wearing required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Ability to maintain regular and reliable attendance and work the scheduled hours necessary to meet business and operational requirements.

Safety Requirements:

• Comply with all company safety policies, procedures, and applicable federal, state, and local occupational safety regulations.
• Lead by example in promoting a culture of safety, accountability, and hazard awareness throughout the production team.
• Ensure team members consistently use required personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow safe work practices.
• Conduct routine safety observations, workplace inspections, and housekeeping activities to identify and address potential hazards.
• immediately report, investigate, and document workplace injuries, near misses, unsafe conditions, and safety incidents, implementing corrective and preventive actions as appropriate.
• Ensure employees receive required safety training and reinforce compliance with established safety procedures and safe operating practices.
• Support emergency preparedness activities, including evacuation procedures, emergency response protocols, and participation in safety drills.
• Stop or suspend work when an unsafe condition presents an immediate risk to employees, equipment, product quality, or the environment, and promptly notify management.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and hazard-free work area in accordance with 5S and housekeeping standards.
• Perform all job duties in a manner that protects the health and safety of employees, contractors, visitors, company assets, and the environment.

Quality & Process Excellence:

• Ensure all products meet Lucchese quality standards and customer expectations
• Reinforce adherence to established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Prevent unauthorized process changes and escalate improvement opportunities through the appropriate approval process.
• Partner with Quality and Manufacturing leadership to investigate root causes and implement corrective actions.
• Continuously identify opportunities to improve processes, workflow, and quality.