What are the responsibilities and job description for the Shift Lead position at Leatherman Tool Brand?
Shift Lead – Manufacturing | Day Shift
Build great products. Support great people. Help lead the way.
At Leatherman, we build tools people rely on every day—and that starts with the people who make them.
We’re looking for a Shift Lead who enjoys working alongside others, solving problems, improving how work gets done, and helping a manufacturing team succeed. This is a hands-on leadership opportunity for someone ready to take greater ownership, support employees on the floor, and partner closely with Manufacturing Supervisors to achieve our Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost goals.
Whether you're a current Leatherman employee ready for your next opportunity or an experienced manufacturing professional interested in joining our team, we'd love to hear from you.
Schedule
Monday–Thursday | 3:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
This position may also require additional time every other Friday and/or Saturday coverage as business needs require. Flexibility to support additional shifts or Supervisor coverage may occasionally be required.
What You'll Do
As a Shift Lead, you'll work closely with Manufacturing Supervisors and employees to keep the department safe, productive, and moving in the right direction. You'll:
- Help coordinate daily work and support employees in meeting production expectations.
- Provide frontline guidance and support while following direction from Manufacturing Supervisors and Operations leadership.
- Help ensure Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost expectations are understood and achieved.
- Partner with Process Technicians to coordinate employee training on equipment and manufacturing processes.
- Observe employee performance and provide relevant feedback to Supervisors.
- Identify problems, help resolve day-to-day challenges, and know when an issue needs to be escalated.
- Work collaboratively with Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, Quality, Maintenance, and other teams.
- Identify opportunities to improve processes, productivity, quality, and efficiency.
- Support communication and consistent application of company policies, procedures, work instructions, and attendance expectations.
- Help ensure employees follow safety requirements and quality standards.
- Participate in Continuous Improvement activities and bring forward ideas that can make our work better.
- Support building opening and closing responsibilities as assigned.
- Provide Supervisor coverage when needed and within the established authority of the role.
- Serve as a positive, professional leadership presence on the manufacturing floor.
The Person We're Looking For
Technical and manufacturing knowledge matter, but how you lead matters too.
We're looking for someone who demonstrates our Leatherman behaviors every day:
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We're looking for someone who... |
Our Leatherman Behavior |
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Takes ownership, follows through, and understands the impact their actions have on the team. |
Empowerment – Own Your Impact |
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Is never satisfied with simply saying, “That's how we've always done it,” and continually looks for ways to improve. |
Hunger – Raise the Bar |
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Speaks up respectfully, shares ideas, addresses difficult issues, and is willing to challenge assumptions. |
Courage – Speak Honestly. Move Boldly. |
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Asks questions, enjoys solving problems, learns from mistakes, and is willing to try something new. |
Curiosity – Ask, Experiment, and Learn |
Just as importantly, we're looking for someone who enjoys helping people succeed. A strong Shift Lead builds trust, communicates respectfully, listens, provides clear direction, and understands that leadership isn't about having all the answers—it's about helping the team find them.
What You'll Bring
- High school diploma or GED required.
- Three years of experience in manufacturing or a similar environment preferred.
- For internal candidates, working knowledge of Leatherman policies, procedures, and practices.
- Knowledge of manufacturing equipment and processes.
- Moderate to strong technical and mechanical aptitude preferred.
- Strong written and verbal English communication skills.
- Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office.
- Strong basic math skills.
- Ability to interpret prints preferred.
- Familiarity with basic Statistical Process Control (SPC) concepts preferred.
- CPR, AED, First Aid, and Fire Extinguisher training preferred or willingness to complete required training.
- Ability to work effectively with employees from a variety of backgrounds and experiences.
Why Leatherman?
This is an opportunity to do more than help manage production. You'll have the opportunity to develop your leadership skills, support the growth of others, solve real manufacturing challenges, and have a direct impact on the products we're proud to make right here in Portland, Oregon.
If you're ready to take ownership, raise the bar, speak honestly, stay curious, and help a team succeed, we encourage you to apply.
Current Leatherman employees and external candidates are welcome to apply.