Robot Assembly Lead

Description

Whisker is redefining what it means to live with cats—designing intelligent systems that remove friction, elevate the everyday, and celebrate the quiet brilliance of feline companionship. Today, Litter-Robot leads the category. Tomorrow, an entire ecosystem that expands what’s possible for cats and the people who love them. We believe the future is feline. And we’re imagining that future today.

We work onsite with our team based in Auburn Hills, Michigan, and Juneau, Wisconsin. Our team of 700+ passionate pet people thrives on collaboration, innovation, and the occasional office cameo from a four-legged friend. 

What You'll Do:

The Robot Assembly Lead will be responsible for coordinating the efforts of their respective lines to match daily production and quality requirements. This will include handling all aspects including managing assembly Team Member allocation, material requirements, operator rotation and line-side material handling(roving). The Robot Assembly Lead reports to the Production Supervisor. 

This role will only be for 1st shift

1st Shift: Monday–Friday, 6:00 AM – 2:30 PM

Overtime and weekend work may be required 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities as deemed necessary.

• Perform all duties, specified and otherwise, in a safe, constructive manner
• Prepare assembly area/line for work, ensuring that all components and tools are in good condition and ready for the required work
• Follow work instructions and alert Engineering or Management when these important documents have errors or inconsistencies
• Demonstrate the willingness and ability to perform all functions of the assembly process
• Perform final verifications of orders / QC analysis of product
• Pack product for shipment and communicate finished orders
• Contribute to building a quality work environment by taking initiative, respecting others, being a team player, and cleaning the work area
• Builds a positive working relationship with coworkers to achieve good morale and cooperation
• Evaluates the availability and capability of workers, parts, materials, and equipment
• Ensures that associates are focused on providing high-quality products to our customers, maximizing the likelihood of an excellent customer experience
• Coordinates the flow of work within or between lines and departments to maximize production
• Communicates between departments, sharing pertinent information to optimize plant results
• Trains employees on proper practices, processes, and cultural expectations, ensuring effective results
• Help plan, coordinate, and delegate work responsibilities to the production team
• Elevates concerns and issues to peers and management
• Fills in for the Production Supervisor as needed
• Ensures the department is kept clean, organized, and neat
• Help contribute to safety initiatives such as reporting incidents, near-misses, and a zero-incident environment. 
• Participate and lead associates in the Whisker Way continual improvement journey
• Developing KanBan processes with team members 
• Detailed oriented 
• Auditing quality and processes 
• Cross-train within other departments for providing coverage or assistance
• Will perform additional responsibilities when required

Requirements

What You'll Bring:

• High school education or a two-year technical degree or equivalent work experience is required
• An EXCELLENT attendance record is required because the department is small and impactful
• Must have 6 or more months of continuous employment with Whisker
• Must not have received a written warning or above in the last 6 months. 
• Working experience in a manufacturing environment is preferred
• Ability to lift up to 45 lbs
• Able to follow directions, use hand and power tools
• Mechanical aptitude and good dexterity are helpful in this role
• Must have a positive attitude 
• Must be an efficient worker who is organized and detail-oriented
• Able to work in a fast-paced assembly environment 
• Must be eager to learn different areas of the company
• A good attendance record is required
• A willingness to serve others to achieve team success
• An ability to provide coaching, direction, and feedback in a constructive manner
• A willingness to hold oneself and others accountable to standards and expectations
• A desire to learn, develop, and grow
• Able to keep cool under duress
• Maintains confidentiality of proprietary information
• Ability to maintain a professional atmosphere in a fast-paced environment with numerous interactions and interruptions
• A high degree of initiative, self-motivation, and ability to motivate others
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with Team Members and colleagues
• Comfortable with office pets (cats, dogs) 

Not Required but Nice to Have!

• Working experience in a manufacturing environment is preferred
• Working experience as a Team Lead

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here represent those that a Team Member must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the Team Member is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The Team Member is frequently required to use their hands to handle or feel. The Team Member is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The Team Member must lift and/or move up to 35 pounds and occasionally up to 75 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that a Team Member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Benefits & Purrks:

Join a tenacious, inventive company that empowers team members to chart their own path, lead by grounding decisions in the “why”, and has a strong sense of empathy and openness to new perspectives. Be a part of exciting growth, work with incredible people, and create tomorrow’s pet products—plus a whole lot of extras. You will also be provided with:

• Premium Medical/Dental/Vision insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Whisker Parents Program
• 1 day "pawternity" leave for new pet adoption
• Pet Insurance discount
• 401K match
• Flexible spending accounts 
• Company-paid short-term disability and life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Generous paid time off
• 14 Paid Holidays
• Top-of-the-line equipment
• Pet-friendly office
• Whisker products and swag
• Continuing Education Support
• On-site gym with Peloton
• Referral program

Statement of Inclusivity:

We believe different perspectives make Whisker better and strive to create a place where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive.

Please ensure to regularly check your email spam folder for any communication from Whisker to avoid missing important updates regarding your application status.

Whisker will not ask you to interview with an AI chat bot. We ask that all interviewees refrain from using any AI tools during interviews with Whisker team members.