Shift Leader Production AKR

Job DetailsJob Location: Roechling Automotive Akron - Akron, OH 44312Röchling Automotive is looking for an experienced Production Shift Leader – 3rd Shift to join our team in Akron, Ohio. This is a hands-on leadership position responsible for overseeing production activities, leading hourly employees, and ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality operations throughout the shift. The ideal candidate will have strong manufacturing leadership experience, a background in the automotive industry, and experience working in a fast-paced production environment. Experience with plastic injection molding is highly preferred. Key Responsibilities Provide direct leadership and supervision to production employees, including operators, setters, forklift drivers, quality auditors, and other shift personnel. Ensure the execution of the daily production schedule while meeting safety, quality, delivery, and productivity targets. Assign employees to work areas based on production requirements, qualifications, and staffing needs. Coordinate break coverage, overtime, and short-term workforce planning. Serve as the first level of escalation for employee, production, quality, and operational issues. Monitor key production KPIs, including OEE, productivity, scrap, quality, and safety performance, and drive appropriate improvement actions. Ensure compliance with company policies, EHS requirements, quality standards, and manufacturing procedures. Conduct effective shift handovers and maintain accurate production documentation and records. Maintain employee training matrices and coordinate required training and development activities. Coach employees, provide performance feedback, and support employee appraisal and development discussions. Promote and maintain 5S standards and a safe, clean, and organized production environment. Support KVP/Kaizen and continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, productivity, and efficiency. Coordinate short-term maintenance and quality activities to minimize downtime and production disruptions. Foster a positive team culture based on accountability, teamwork, communication, and continuous improvement. Qualifications 5+ years of manufacturing, production, or operations experience. 2+ years of leadership or supervisory experience in a manufacturing environment. 2+ years of automotive manufacturing experience. Previous experience leading hourly employees in a fast-paced, high-volume production environment. Strong understanding of production processes, safety, quality standards, and manufacturing KPIs. Plastic injection molding experience strongly preferred. Experience in an automotive Tier 1 manufacturing environment preferred. Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, 5S, KVP/Kaizen, continuous improvement, and layered audits is a plus. Experience with production reporting systems and manufacturing performance metrics. Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, decision-making, and conflict-resolution skills. Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities and remain organized in a fast-paced production environment. Technical manufacturing education, apprenticeship, or equivalent experience is a plus. Ability to work 3rd shift and provide overtime or weekend support as needed.