Team Lead

Team Lead Location: Trenton, MI Company: Steel Tool & Engineering Co. Industry: Aerospace Precision Machining & Fabrication Employment Type: Full-Time, Hourly Shift: 6am-4:30pm Steel Tool & Engineering is a leading aerospace manufacturer specializing in precision machining, complex metal fabrication, and welded assemblies. As an AS9100-certified and NADCAP-accredited facility, we are committed to delivering exceptional quality, reliability, and compliance across all operations. Overview The Team Lead is responsible for coordinating daily production activities, supporting operators, ensuring safety and quality standards, and driving continuous improvement. This role acts as the first line of leadership on the shop floor, ensuring that people, production, and problems are managed effectively using a structured 3-Step Daily Leadership Process. Responsibilities Plan the daily workflow by reviewing production schedules, hourly attainment, staffing levels, machine readiness, materials, and tooling Conduct start-of-shift team huddles to communicate safety reminders, production targets, quality expectations, and known issues Assign operators to workstations and ensure all team members understand priorities Monitor production throughout the shift by walking the floor, observing operations, and verifying adherence to standard work Track hourly output, scrap, downtime, and quality performance Provide coaching, training, and hands-on support to operators as needed Address minor issues immediately, including housekeeping/5S corrections, minor equipment irregularities, documentation gaps, and non-critical quality concerns Escalate major issues such as safety risks, customer-impacting defects, equipment failures, or environmental concerns Communicate effectively with Quality, Maintenance, and Supervisors regarding issues and performance Ensure safety rules, PPE requirements, and company policies are followed at all times Review end-of-shift results versus targets and document downtime, quality issues, and safety concerns Communicate shift performance and open issues to the next shift or supervisor Identify at least one improvement opportunity each shift and support continuous improvement activities such as Kaizen and A3 problem solving Apply SMART goal principles when participating in improvement projects or setting team objectives Qualifications 2 + years of experience in manufacturing (steel, machining, tooling, or related preferred) Prior leadership or lead-operator experience strongly preferred Working knowledge of Lean principles (5S, standard work, waste reduction) Ability to lift 40 lbs. and work in a shop-floor environment Basic computer skills (production reporting, email, ERP entry) Benefits 100% Medical Paid (If you already have medical coverage and don't request STE medical insurance, you can receive the medical waiver of $300 per month.) Dental and Vision Insurance (Includes Dependents) Life Insurance 401K Paid Holidays Paid Vacations