Production Lead | Portage, MI

Salary Range: $53,000 - $80,000 depending on experience

Are you a dedicated professional with a passion for excelling as a production lead? The Pivot Group Network, a Michigan manufacturing-focused recruiting group, is committed to fostering meaningful relationships and supporting career growth. We partner with leading manufacturing companies in the Portage area seeking experienced Production Leads to strengthen their teams.

We are building our network of talent in this field across Michigan's manufacturing regions. Our partner companies may or may not have an immediate opening for this exact role today, but we actively look for skilled professionals in the regions where they operate. If there is alignment now or in the near future, we reach out.

This posting covers Production Lead opportunities with manufacturers based in and around Portage in Kalamazoo County, within about 30 minutes of the city, including Three Rivers, Schoolcraft, Vicksburg, and Constantine.

The Opportunity

We collaborate with manufacturing companies in the Portage region seeking Production Leads. These employers partner with us because they want real insight into candidates - not just resumes. By joining our network, you gain access to roles worth considering.

Usual Responsibilities

• Assign daily work tasks to production line staff and adjust assignments when absences or line issues occur.
• Monitor line output and pace against the daily schedule and report shortfalls to the supervisor.
• Check that operators follow standard work instructions and safety rules during the shift.
• Help troubleshoot equipment stops and escalate maintenance issues that cannot be resolved quickly.
• Track scrap, rework, and downtime on shift records and hand off notes to the next lead.
• Train new operators on station tasks and sign off on basic competency checks.
• Keep work areas clean and confirm tools and materials are staged for the next run.
• Support shift start meetings and communicate quality alerts or schedule changes to the team.

Recommended Qualifications

• Comfort with shift work and standing for extended periods.
• Basic math and recordkeeping skills for output and scrap tracking.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Two or more years of hands-on production or assembly experience in a manufacturing setting.
• Prior experience directing or coaching small teams on a line or in a work cell.
• Ability to read work instructions, production schedules, and basic quality documents.

Bonus Qualifications

• Forklift or powered industrial truck certification.
• Experience with quality systems or ISO audit participation.
• Associate degree or technical certificate in a manufacturing field.
• Familiarity with production tracking software or ERP shop floor modules.
• Formal lean or continuous improvement training such as kaizen or 5S.

Job Titles That Should Apply

Production Coordinator, Cell Leader, Group Leader, Operations Lead, Production Supervisor, Line Lead, Shift Lead, Team Leader, Manufacturing Team Lead, Assembly Lead

If you're ready to take the next step in your career and connect with a firm that values fit over speed, we invite you to reach out at https://www.thepivotgroup.org. The Pivot Group Network offers resources to support your search - market insights, resume feedback, and interview preparation. As our partnerships grow, we'll reach out with opportunities aligned with your goals. Thank you for considering this approach to career advancement.