Cell Lead: Transmission/Transfer Case in Zumbrota, Minnesota at Zumbrota Drivetrain

Department: Main Shop · Reports to: Operations Manager

Position summary

The Cell Lead will help direct day to day operations for the transmission and transfer case remanufacturing areas. This person tracks output against daily and weekly goals, trains and develops the team, all while ensuring efficiency and accuracy. They drive continuous improvement and work directly with Quality and Sales team to keep a quality product shipping on time.

Essential duties and responsibilities

Production tracking

• Get direction from Operations Manager on daily/weekly production schedule.
• Track output against goals using the provided metrics and reports, and report results to management.
• Keep an up-to-date list of builds on hold for parts, and work with the scheduler, warehouse and parts teams to clear them.
• Generate and process work documents, and keep inventory accurate with Operations.

Training and team development

• Train new hires and cross-train current techs on transmission and transfer case builds.
• Coach, mentor and troubleshoot with techs during the day so builds finish on time.
• Hold the team accountable to established processes, SOPs and work instructions.
• Ensure safety standards with employees by enforcing correct use of PPE and necessary measures on the shop floor
• Reassign MO'S and ensure units get switched and completed when team members are out on vacation or PTO.

Meetings

• Help lead the monthly production meeting: results against goals, problem areas and action items.
• Coordinate to get the safety meeting done monthly, and report unsafe acts or conditions to management or the safety committee.

Continuous improvement

• Find and carry out improvements to all processes, layout and throughput.
• Help management write and update SOPs and work instructions.
• Keep the cell organized and clean, and work with Maintenance on equipment issues.

Quality and Sales

• Work with the Quality team to inspect, tote and label finished units, and to resolve defects and returns.
• Work with Sales on unit availability, build priorities, lead times and customer technical questions.
• Other duties as assigned by management.

Qualifications

Preferred

• Proven leadership or lead-hand experience.
• Experience with production metrics, SOPs and continuous improvement methods (5S, lean).
• Comfortable with basic computer tools for reports and work documents.

Personal attributes

• Organized, decisive and able to manage several tasks under pressure.
• Clear communicator who listens to the team's ideas and keeps two-way communication open with management.
• Motivates and develops others, and leads by example.
• Works independently with little direction and as part of a team.

Required

• 3+ years in a shop or remanufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of transmission and transfer case builds, with the ability to finish all units within each family.
• Advanced automotive and mechanical skills.
• Valid driver's license.
• Problem solving skills.
• Self-motivated.

Schedule

Full-time, Monday-Friday with hours that vary based on production needs. This includes some weekend work, some early starts before shift, and some days staying late to hit goals or support the team.