About the position
The Lead Operator at Heartland Automotive, LLC plays a crucial role in coordinating and assisting with the activities of associates engaged in maintaining and operating all equipment within the Injection Molding department. This position is responsible for ensuring that all machinery operates safely and efficiently while adhering to company standards and protocols. The Lead Operator will train and assist associates in performing Total Preventive Maintenance (TPM) assignments, ensuring that all equipment safety features are functioning correctly. The role requires the Lead Operator to perform machine setups, operate machinery safely, and ensure that scrap is recorded accurately and disposed of daily. Additionally, the Lead Operator will oversee the timely completion of rework and fill in for associates when necessary. The Lead Operator must possess a thorough understanding of all equipment and be able to assist individual process stations. This includes performing lock-out and tag-out (LOTO) procedures to clear equipment faults and restore machine energy according to established protocols. The Lead Operator is also responsible for informing the Team Leader or Production Manager of any quality or safety non-conformities, completing paperwork and data entry accurately, and maintaining safety and environmental records. Maintaining 5S standards and ensuring a safe work environment within the department is paramount. In addition to these responsibilities, the Lead Operator will inspect products to verify conformance to specifications, train associates on adjusting machines and equipment, and analyze work problems to assist associates in resolving them. The role includes monitoring absenteeism, maintaining time and production records, and conducting cross-training of associates. The Lead Operator will also be responsible for ensuring that all associates understand and follow emergency response procedures during emergencies. Furthermore, the Lead Operator will assist in monitoring and maintaining all TPM goals, support continual improvement projects for Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS), and implement and enforce EHS programs and policies. This position may also involve conducting safety audits in the absence of the Team Leader and preparing for shift changes by exchanging information with the incoming shift.
Responsibilities
- Train and assist associates on performing TPM (Total Preventive Maintenance) assignments.
- Perform machine setup and operate machinery safely, ensuring equipment safety features are functioning.
- Accurately record and dispose of scrap daily and ensure timely completion of rework.
- Fill in for associates when necessary and assist individual process stations on all equipment.
- Perform lock-out and tag-out (LOTO) procedures for clearing equipment faults and restoring machine energy.
- Inform Team Leader or Production Manager of any quality/safety non-conformities.
- Complete paperwork and data entry accurately, including safety and environmental records.
- Maintain 5S standards and ensure a safe work environment within the department.
- Inspect products to verify conformance to specifications.
- Train associates on adjusting machines and equipment to repair products that fail to meet standards.
- Analyze and provide inputs to resolve work problems or assist associates in solving work problems.
- Monitor absenteeism and maintain time and production records.
- Conduct cross-training of associates and maintain performance records.
- Ensure associates understand and follow emergency response procedures during emergencies.
- Monitor and maintain all TPM Goals (Safety, Scrap, Customer Defects, In-Process Defects, and Downtime Frequency).
- Support and participate in continual improvement projects for Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS).
- Implement and enforce EHS programs and policies.
- Perform safety audits in the absence of Team Leader and propose corrective actions.
- Ensure associates meet SWI required PPE standards.
- Conduct shift meetings in the absence of the Team Leader and prepare for shift changes.
Requirements
- High school diploma or GED required.
- Two years of manufacturing experience preferred, especially with Heartland Automotive.
- Strong leadership and decision-making skills.
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
- Proficient in Microsoft Excel and Word.
Nice-to-haves
- Experience in plastics injection molding is preferred.
