Manufacturing Supervisor (Lean Manufacturing)

Position Overview:

We are seeking a results-driven and people-focused Production Supervisor (Lean) to oversee our manufacturing floor. In this role, you will manage a dedicated team of 10–12 technicians and production personnel, driving daily execution while fostering a high-retention, supportive team culture. The primary focus of this position is direct, manufacturing team management and field management rather than project-heavy initiatives. The ideal candidate blends experience in field management, manufacturing experience, exceptional people management skills with practical Lean experience—keeping the floor running smoothly, maintaining high team morale, and leveraging Lean methodologies to drive continuous process improvements across our laboratory operations. As a core driver of lean management, the Lean Supervisor is responsible for enhancing production operational efficiency, reducing waste, and optimizing processes through systematic metrics control, project implementation, lean training, and activity planning. This role requires aligning with company strategy to implement the lean management system, coordinating cross-departmental resources, and achieving continuous improvement in key areas such as cost, quality, and delivery.

The estimated salary range is $80,000 - $100,000, depending on experience.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Experience:

  • Direct On-Site Team Management: Minimum of 3+ years of hands-on floor team management experience in a manufacturing or production setting.

• Leadership Track Record: Demonstrated success managing teams of 10+ lab technicians with a strong record of staff retention, conflict resolution, and driving a positive team culture.

• Lean Expertise: Solid understanding and practical application of Lean manufacturing principles applied directly to daily shop-floor production operations.

• Communication: Strong communication skills with the ability to manage up to factory leaders and support hands-on floor personnel effectively.

On-Site Team Leadership & Retention (Primary Focus)

• Direct, mentor, and manage a team of 10–12 technicians and floor specialists on the production floor.

• Cultivate an engaging, supportive workplace culture that minimizes turnover and drives high employee retention.

• Conduct regular performance reviews, feedback sessions, and skill matrix development for floor staff.

• Balance workload distribution, shift handovers, and resource management to keep the team engaged and working effectively.

Floor Operations & Factory Alignment

• Supervise daily molecular biology production lines, ensuring output targets, safety guidelines, and quality compliance (ISO/GMP) are consistently met.

• Act as the key operational bridge between floor technicians, cross-functional teams, and factory management.

• Troubleshoot daily operational bottlenecks, equipment availability, and material supply to prevent downtime on the floor.

Lean & Continuous Improvement (Secondary Focus)

• Utilize Lean tools and methodologies (5S, Gemba walks, Kaizen, Root Cause Analysis) to streamline workflow efficiency and reduce waste on the floor.

• Facilitate continuous improvement initiatives directly on the floor alongside technicians and factory managers without disrupting active production output.

Requirements:

Professional Background:

• Bachelor's degree or higher, preferably in Industrial Engineering (IE), Mechanical Engineering, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Life Sciences, Manufacturing, or related fields.
• Certification in lean production, Six Sigma (Green Belt or above preferred).
• Leading or assisting in cross-departmental lean improvement projects (e.g., 5S, TPM, VSM, SMED, standardized work).

Core Competencies:

• Data Analysis: Proficient in using Excel and other data analysis tools to identify improvement opportunities.
• Project Management: Experienced in cross-departmental collaboration and adept at driving project implementation.
• Communication and Training: Clear logic and structured expression skills.
• Tool Application: Proficient in using lean tools like A3 reports, standardized work, ECRS.

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