Lead, Packaged Solutions

The Manufacturing Lead - Packaged Solutions supports the day-to-day operations of NovaTech Automation's RTU Manufacturing floor by coordinating team schedules and work assignments, assisting with shipping and receiving activities, and maintaining a safe, organized, and efficient production environment. Working closely with the Manufacturing Supervisor, this role serves as the operational backbone of the team - keeping parts flowing, kanban systems current, and technicians aligned on priorities. The Manufacturing Lead is a hands-on contributor who models NovaTech's commitment to quality, safety, and continuous improvement., Floor Oversight & Daily Operations

• Monitor and coordinate day-to-day activities on the RTU manufacturing floor to ensure production schedules are met and workflow remains on track.

• Assign daily tasks and work orders to team members based on production priorities, skill sets, and available capacity.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for the production team during daily operations, escalating issues to the Manufacturing Supervisor as needed.

• Maintain a visible, active presence on the floor to quickly identify and resolve workflow interruptions, equipment issues, or resource gaps.

• Track production progress throughout the shift and communicate status updates, delays, or concerns to the Supervisor in a timely manner. Shipping & Receiving

• Assist with the receipt, inspection, and processing of inbound materials, components, and finished goods in accordance with NovaTech receiving procedures.

• Verify incoming shipments against purchase orders and packing lists; document discrepancies and coordinate with the Supervisor or Purchasing team for resolution.

• Support the preparation, packaging, and staging of outbound shipments, ensuring accuracy, proper labeling, and compliance with shipping documentation requirements.

• Coordinate with carriers and internal logistics contacts to schedule pickups and deliveries as needed.

• Maintain shipping and receiving records accurately within the ERP system. Parts Management & Kanban

• Monitor kanban levels on the production floor and trigger replenishment requests to ensure uninterrupted parts availability for active build orders.

• Coordinate with the stockroom, purchasing, and materials teams to resolve parts shortages, substitutions, or discrepancies that impact production schedules.

• Conduct periodic cycle counts and bin audits to verify inventory accuracy and maintain organized, correctly labeled storage locations.

• Identify slow-moving, excess, or obsolete parts and communicate findings to the Supervisor for disposition decisions.

• Support the implementation and sustainment of lean material flow practices, including point-of-use storage and pull-system replenishment. Scheduling & Team Coordination

• Support the Manufacturing Supervisor in building and communicating daily and weekly team schedules, accounting for order priorities, technician availability, and production capacity.

• Coordinate across team members to balance workloads, reassign tasks in response to changing priorities, and ensure coverage during absences.

• Participate in production planning meetings and communicate schedule changes, resource needs, or constraints to the appropriate stakeholders.

• Track open work orders and flag at-risk deliveries early to allow proactive resolution. Shop Safety & Organization

• Promote and enforce a culture of safety on the production floor by reinforcing safe work practices, proper PPE usage, and compliance with OSHA and NovaTech safety standards.

• Conduct regular floor walks to identify and correct safety hazards, housekeeping issues, or ESD non-compliance; escalate unresolved issues to the Supervisor.

• Lead and sustain 5S practices across work cells, ensuring tools, materials, and equipment are properly stored, labeled, and maintained.

• Assist with safety training, toolbox talks, and onboarding of new team members on shop safety procedures and emergency protocols.

• Maintain accurate safety-related documentation including inspection logs, incident reports, and corrective action records. People & Culture

• Support NovaTech's Employee Experience strategy by assisting with onboarding activities, providing peer mentorship, and contributing to a positive team environment throughout the employee lifecycle.

• Coordinate daily work activities and serve as technical resource for team members, ensuring work meets quality and timeline requirements.

• Train new team members on processes, procedures, and best practices while serving as peer mentor.

• Communicate team needs, issues, and recommendations to supervisor or management.

High school diploma or GED, - Required

• Associate degree or technical certification in Manufacturing, Electronics, Supply Chain, or a related field, - Preferred

• 3+ years of experience in a manufacturing, assembly, or production environment, - Required

• Prior experience in a lead, team coordinator, or senior technician capacity, - Preferred

• Experience with shipping and receiving operations, including ERP-based receiving transactions and carrier coordination, - Preferred

• Familiarity with kanban, lean manufacturing, or 5S principles, - Preferred Skills

• Ability to read and interpret work orders, BOMs, packing lists, and purchase orders, - Required

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word) and basic ERP/MES system usage, - Required

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced environment, - Required

• Effective verbal and written communication skills for coordinating across team members, supervisors, and internal stakeholders, - Required

• Ability to operate material handling equipment (pallet jack, hand truck) and lift up to 50 lbs, - Required

• Knowledge of OSHA safety standards and ESD-safe handling practices, - Preferred

• Forklift certification or willingness to obtain, - Preferred Core Competencies

• Strong sense of ownership and accountability for team output, schedule adherence, and floor conditions.

• Proactive problem-solving approach - identifies issues early and drives them to resolution without waiting to be asked.

• Clear, direct communicator who keeps the team informed and escalates appropriately.

• Collaborative and team-oriented, with the ability to coordinate across functions and build positive working relationships.

• Commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement in all aspects of the role.

• Adaptable and calm under pressure, maintaining focus and professionalism when priorities shift.