Device Area Lead

Reports to: Senior Manufacturing Operations Manager

Role Summary

The Devices Area Lead is responsible for day-to-day leadership of the Devices manufacturing area, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality execution of production schedules. This role provides direct leadership to Technicians, owns schedule performance, drives accountability, and partners cross-functionally to meet delivery, quality, and operational goals. The position requires flexibility, strong floor presence, and a high level of ownership to support business needs.

Roles And Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the Devices manufacturing area to ensure projects are executed safely, on time, and to quality standards.
• Directly manage, Lead Technicians, and Device Technicians I, II, and III.
• Own production schedule execution: identify risks early and implement corrective actions to maintain commitments.
• Maintain strong leadership presence on the production floor, particularly during peak workload periods, schedule recovery efforts, and critical builds.
• Develop and maintain technician work schedules aligned with production priorities.
• Partner with the Production Scheduling Manager to resource projects and provide build estimates.
• Approve timecards, PTO, expense reports, and other administrative items.
• Demonstrate flexibility in work hours to support business needs, customer commitments, and operational priorities when required.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for Devices manufacturing issues and proactively resolve production floor challenges.
• Monitor productivity, workmanship, and performance; provide regular feedback, coaching, and development support to team members.
• Ensure supervisors maintain clean, organized, and safe work cells; enforce 5S, tool control, and housekeeping standards.
• Ensure production whiteboards, metrics, and visual management tools are accurate and up to date.
• Track and support Operations KPIs; establish and review Devices Manufacturing KPIs with the Senior Manufacturing Operations Manager.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on throughput, efficiency, quality, and cost.
• Lead root cause analysis for quality issues, schedule slips, and productivity gaps; ensure corrective and preventive actions are implemented.
• Ensure all technicians follow written procedures and that procedures are visible and adhered to during production activities.
• Review and approve manufacturing records and documentation.
• Maintain a safe work environment; report and follow up on accidents and near misses.
• Order and manage floor stock materials as needed.
• Support audits, customer visits, and leadership reviews as required.
• Collaborate closely with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and other cross-functional teams to resolve issues impacting production.
• Travel approximately 10% as required.
  
  

Qualifications

• 10 years of manufacturing experience with demonstrated leadership responsibility.
• Proven ability to lead teams, manage priorities, and deliver results in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to multitask, re-prioritize quickly, and remain professional in high-pressure situations.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Demonstrated ability to motivate, coach, and hold teams accountable.
• Solid understanding of manufacturing methods, equipment, and processes; ability to maintain technical credibility on the floor.
• Working knowledge of MRP/ERP systems and Microsoft Office applications (Project, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• ISO 9001 preferred experience.
• Ability to operate independently with minimal supervision while aligning with broader operational goals.
• Willingness to support business needs outside of normal routines when required.