The posting
POSITION PURPOSE: The Production Leader is an hourly, hands-on working-lead position responsible for coordinating daily activities on assigned production lines. Reporting to the Production Supervisor, this role provides day-to-day work direction and operational support to the production team while remaining actively engaged in production. The Production Leader helps coordinate workflow, staffing coverage, changeovers, materials, and production priorities to support safe, efficient, and quality-focused operations. This position does not have direct people-management responsibilities and escalates employee relations, attendance, performance, and disciplinary matters to the Production Supervisor. Duties, Tasks, and Responsibilities: • Lead employees on assigned production lines while remaining actively involved in daily production. • Assign and adjust work based on the production schedule, staffing, assign employees to workstations based on employee qualifications, materials, and line conditions. • Communicate expectations for safety, quality, productivity, housekeeping, and schedule attainment. • Learn to safely set up, operate, monitor, and shut down assigned production machinery. • Operate machinery and work on the line as needed to support output, breaks, absences, and changeovers. • Monitor output, downtime, scrap, rework, and quality results; escalate significant issues to the Production Supervisor. • Ensure employees follow standard work, PPE, lockout/tagout, safety, quality, and documentation requirements. • Coordinate line start-ups, changeovers, material needs, housekeeping, shutdowns, and shift handoffs. • Support basic troubleshooting within the scope of training and communicate maintenance needs promptly. • Coach and train employees on safe work practices, job duties, and standard procedures. • Promote teamwork and accountability; elevate employee relations, attendance, conduct, or performance concerns to the Production Supervisor. • Support continuous improvement efforts related to safety, quality, productivity, waste reduction, and 5S. • Perform other duties as assigned to support plant operations. Education, Experience, Skills, and Abilities: • High school diploma or GED required; technical or manufacturing training preferred. • Two plus years of supervisory or team-lead experience required, preferably in manufacturing. • Hands-on experience operating or supporting manufacturing equipment preferred. • Ability and willingness to complete required equipment, safety, quality, and process training. • Basic computer and math skills with the ability to complete production records accurately. • Ability to set clear expectations, coach employees, follow up, and support accountability. • Effective communication, problem-solving, organization, and shift-handoff skills. • Dependable, adaptable, safety-focused, and able to manage changing priorities in a fast-paced environment. • Ability to work 2nd shift and required overtime or weekends based on business needs. Physical and Work Environment Requirements: • Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and regularly bend, reach, push, pull, and perform repetitive tasks. • Ability to lift and move materials within site requirements, using assistance or equipment when required. • Ability to work around moving machinery, noise, varying temperatures, dust, and odors while using required PPE. • Regular and reliable attendance is required. This opportunity offers a competitive benefits package including:
Medical, dental, and vision coverage with wellness benefits Company-matching 401(k) plan Company-paid life insurance and accidental death & dismemberment benefits Company-paid identity theft insurance Company-paid disability Flexible spending and health savings accounts Company-paid employee assistance program Paid time off and paid holidays Additional benefits included: voluntary life insurance, legal benefits, critical illness, accident insurance, hospital indemnity insurance, and pet insurance
Old World Industries is among the largest privately held companies competing in the automotive aftermarket today. Built upon a 50-year history of ingenuity, the Northbrook, Illinois-based company is transforming the automotive, commercial and chemical industries that keep the world moving forward. Old World’s brands include a full line of PEAK® Performance Automotive Aftermarket Products including Antifreeze/Coolant, Washer Fluid, Lighting and Wiper Blades; BlueDEF® Diesel Exhaust Fluid and Equipment; FINAL CHARGE® PRO-SERIES Heavy Duty Extended Life Coolant, Fleet Charge® SCA Precharged Heavy Duty Coolant and Thermal Charge® Heat Transfer Fluid.
