Team Leader - Pultrusion

Overview Special-Lite is seeking a Team Leader – Pultrusion to join our Benton Harborteam. This individual will lead and work alongside employees within our Pultrusion department and provide training and guidance to the team under the direction of the Production Supervisor. This role is accountable for safety, quality, customer satisfaction and daily production output within the department. About Pultrusion Our Pultrusion department is responsible for combining rolls of fiberglass material with a custom mixed chemical resin product through machinery dies to create lightweight, high‑strength fiberglass parts for our doors and frames. Key Responsibilities Coaches and provides feedback to employees, including one‑on‑one reviews with all hourly employees, write‑ups and progressive disciplinary conversations, career conversations, and annual performance reviews with the Production Manager. Runs weekly Whiteboard meetings, maintains a neat, orderly, and organized work area, and collaborates with Human Resources to conduct interviews and provide hiring recommendations. Assists the Production Supervisor with onboarding plans for new hires, monitors and approves vacation requests, and makes labor adjustments to cover production needs. Accounts for production output, quality, and on‑time delivery throughout the department; schedules overtime, updates the Late Orders tracker, reviews customer complaints, and conducts “Call & Respond” audits for QCP/Expedited/Warranty/New Hire work. Fills out and submits rework sheets, calculates daily roll‑over and turns them into scheduling, and ensures necessary products and materials are available to meet deadlines. Communicates material decisions on color, fit, or assembly issues, and monitors inventory levels of department‑located stock such as clips, reinforcements, tooling, and fillers. Ensures safety procedures are followed, recommends improvements, and assigns work based on employee strengths and availability. Examines blueprints/engineering drawings to determine material requirements, collaborates with Detailing on questions or discrepancies, and cleans, lubricates, and troubleshoots equipment failures as needed. Monitors and reports on KPIs, updates physical and electronic PCC charts for Safety, Production, Reworks & NAO, and engages in continuous improvement efforts by leading or participating in meetings on reworks, Not As Ordered issues, and other projects. Helps integrate new products and product changes into production (ECO, SISS, etc.). Qualifications High school diploma or GED required. Minimum of three (3) years of experience in a manufacturing environment or completion of a recognized apprenticeship program. Excellent attention to detail in all aspects of assigned work. Experience reading measuring devices such as a ruler and measuring tape to an accuracy of 1/32”. Basic maintenance knowledge and skills to inspect, diagnose, and repair equipment. Ability to be certified in forklift operation and man‑lift operation. Understanding of manufacturing procedures and practices. Excellent communication skills in written and verbal forms. Ability to read, comprehend, and carry out instructions in written, oral, and diagram form. Excellent decision‑making and problem‑solving skills. Ability to develop and nurture strong, productive relationships at all levels of the organization. Experience with Microsoft Office Applications. Demonstrates a sense of urgency, prioritizes well, shows energy, responds to opportunities, instills urgency in others, and meets deadlines. Preferred Qualifications Experience driving a forklift. Bilingual in Spanish and English. Experience working with chemicals, resins, and/or fiberglass. Experience troubleshooting mechanical operations. Benefits In addition to a competitive salary and rewarding work, Special‑Lite employees are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance; Short‑Term and Long‑Term Disability; 401(k) match; Performance and Holiday Bonuses; Flexible Spending Accounts; EAP; Educational Assistance; Parental Leave; Vacation and Sick time; Paid Holidays; and optional uniforms. Physical Requirements Frequently required to use hands and fingers to handle, feel, or operate equipment, tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms. Frequently required to talk and hear. Frequently required to stand and walk. Occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, bend, twist, and crawl. Frequently required to lift, push, pull, and/or move up to 70 pounds. Specific vision abilities required: close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Occasionally subject to loud noise, safety glasses, and safety toe shoes required on the production floor at all times; hearing protection required in designated areas. Frequently subject to hazards including proximity to moving mechanical parts, moving vehicles, electric current, heat, and chemicals. Occasionally subject to respiratory or skin conditions such as fumes, odors, dust, mists, or poor ventilation. Occasionally exposed to cold, hot, wet, and/or humid shop conditions. Special‑Lite is an equal‑opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, sex, religion, or veteran status. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Special‑Lite is an equal‑opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. About Special‑Lite Special‑Lite manufactures engineered architectural products, which include commercial entrance systems, interior aluminum (Type II) framing with swing or sliding aluminum framed doors, and FRP restroom partitions. Our interior and exterior complete entrance system products are fiberglass or aluminum flush doors with many door face texture options, including wood grain, aluminum monumental (stile & rail) doors, fiberglass, and aluminum framing. Our engineered, made‑to‑order architectural products are used in new construction and renovation projects for educational, commercial, institutional, industrial, and municipal applications. The company was founded in 1971 and pioneered the use of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) material for door skins in the early 1980’s; today it is the largest volume producer of commercial FRP doors in the United States. This position is currently accepting applications. Location: Special‑Lite, Benton Township #J-18808-Ljbffr