Production Shift Lead - 1st Shift

At West Paw our goal is to be Dogs Best Friend. We do this by making things dogs love and by caring about how we make the things dogs love from our own factory in beautiful Bozeman Montana.

We innovate to unleash joy between people and pets in pursuit of a healthier world. Were ecofriendly in our materials and manufacturing choices and peoplefriendly in our business choices.

The talented dogloving sustainability driven team at West Paw designs manufactures markets and ships high quality planet and people conscious dog products to over 40 countries and 6000 retailers. From our ecofriendly facility in Bozeman we pride ourselves on products that are safe healthy durable and made responsibly.

Were West Paw a proud Certified B Corp and Dogs Best Friend.

To be the best fit we actively seek purposedriven candidates that embrace the love of dogs a curiosity to understand and passion for our vision of a better society and environment. Our best days at work often involve sharing a great dog experience that brought connection and joy.

Position Overview

The Production Shift Lead 1st Shift is a full time hourly overtimeeligible position responsible for effectively directing & supporting the flow of work to efficiently build the right quality product and upholding standards with current process and technology. The role is responsible for managing and developing team members and regularly disseminating management communications to team members and other shift supervisors for shift pass down continuity. This role has between 510 direct reports. It is part of the Manufacturing Operations Team and reports to the Planner/Supervisor.

Required Schedule: MondayThursday 6:00 a.m.3:30 p.m. and Fridays 6:00 a.m.10:00 a.m. 40 hours but a 4 1/2 day work a jump start on your weekend!. You MUST be able to work this schedule on a consistent basis.

Work Location: Our office and production facility are located at 32050 Frontage Road in Bozeman Montana east of downtown. This position is required to work onsite inperson 40 hours per week. Candidates desiring to work remotely will not be considered.

Essential Responsibilities

• Function as a member of Operations Management by proactively leading and managing First Shift Production Team Members.
• Coordinate with Production Planner Supervisors the VP of Manufacturing Operations and other Shift Leads to adapt to changing demand.
• Support mold changes color changes jig changes and machine startups on injection molding equipment.
• Maintain accurate inventory counts via timely and accurate scans.
• Record and communicate Safety Quality Delivery Engagement & Cost metrics in Shift Pass Down & Tier Meetings.
• Ensure standard processes are documented communicated accessible and followed.
• Encourage team to submit and actively guide review approval and implementation of continuous improvement ideas rooted in Lean Manufacturing principles.
• Support coach and hold teams accountable for achieving success in safety quality delivery engagement and cost goals.
• Serve as the first point of contact for employee questions and concerns and collaborate with appropriate members of West Paw support teams to address as needed. Effectively manage employee performance and attendance issues in a timely manner.
• Develop a strong team and culture through training daily communication feedback celebrations and reviews.
• Ensure a safe work environment and safe work practices are followed address issues and ensure compliance with safety policies standards and best practices.
• Monitor own work to ensure high standards of quality and efficiency and seek support when needed.
• Ensure 5S integrity of workplace organization (Sort Set in Order Shine Standardize Sustain)
• When people leadership and task management responsibilities allow or as demand dictates serve as a working team member as part of the Production Team responsible for assembly production packaging and/or shipping of all West Paw product orders.
• Ensure employees work is safe they have opportunities to grow and are recognized for value they create.
• Embody West Paw Core Values in all work interactions tasks and decisions (Create Joyful Connection Profit Fuels Purpose Solve for Tomorrow).
• Uphold West Paws Purpose in all work endeavors (We innovate to unleash joy between people and pets in pursuit of a healthier world).
• Other duties as assigned.

Company Culture

West Paw is a small familyowned business with a strong history and new growth ahead. Through our diversified workforce with most of us in one facility we celebrate a collaborative hardworking team. Our success stems from our values and vision and our willingness to learn and grow. We leverage Open Book Management allowing all employees to become better business people and to understand how they can further business success. We invest in financial literacy and transparency to engage employees to contribute to our current financial condition and future plans.

Our team is united in our quest for a cleaner planet healthier communities safe and happy pets and transparent business practices. Everyone from production to sales to accounting and beyond rallies around our mission with a shared sense of purpose and pride. Our culture is built on relationships with each other our customers our pets our community and our planet.

The joy of our work comes from sharing in success with people who are passionate about pets contribute to our culture appreciate a fastpaced atmosphere share our values and further our vision.

Essential Ability Knowledge and Skill Requirements

• Knowledge of production and processing methods including database systems raw materials quality control cost management and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods
• Strong critical thinking skills using logic and reasoning to identify strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions conclusions or approaches to problems
• Inspires collaboration on process improvement through openmindedness and innovation
• Strong initiative and willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges in the face of obstacles
• Strong computer skills and abilities with spreadsheets word processing and presentation software including data entry set up functions process information compiling auditing etc.
• Strong communication skills through written verbal and electronic means including training documentation and standardization of processes
• Knowledge of Lean manufacturing philosophy and methods
• Knowledge of machines and tools including designs uses repair and maintenance
• Able to receive constructive feedback adapt behavior and maintain a positive attitude
• Contribute to building a positive team spirit build morale and support everyones efforts to succeed

Education and Experience Requirements

• 5 years manufacturing experience preferred including combinations of product assembly shipping and packaging and/or injection molding
• 3 years management experience preferred
• Prior Leadership or Supervisory experience
• Possess or willing to obtain advanced injection molding skills
• Willing to obtain forklift certification

Environmental and Physical Requirements

• Able to sit walk and/or stand continuously for up to 10 hours
• Able to frequently pinch and grasp materials using up to 20 lbs of force
• Able to bend stoop stretch reach push pull and balance materials during handling assembly and filling/shipping of customer orders
• Able to use step ladders and/or a forklift
• Able to frequently reach lift move and/or shift boxes weighing up to 40 lbs up to 60 inches from the floor and carry the boxes up to 50 feet
• Able to pull materials downward exerting up to 20 lbs of force 45 inches to 30 inches from the floor
• Able to apply push/pull forces up to 15 lbs 12 inches to 40 inches from the floor
• Assist in lifting materials weighing up to 50 lbs
• Exposure to constant moderate and intermittent noise hot surfaces (machinery and materials) sharp objects and slippery surfaces (machinery tools floor etc) and varying temperatures both inside and outside the building

Benefits and Perks

We are proud to offer a variety of benefits that meet the diverse needs of our team:

• Bring your dog to work (after a waiting period)!
• Three medical plan options through BCBSMT one that is 100 companypaid for the employee. Dependents are eligible to participate.
• Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account options.
• Dental Vision Life Accident and Disability insurance options.
• Paid Time Off for volunteering wellness and new parents.
• 401(k) plan that provides a 4 Safe Harbor company match on a 5 employee contribution.
• 4 1/2 day work week (halfday Fridays yearround! plus 8 Paid Holidays.
• Employee Wellness and Financial Assistance Resources through Mutual of Omaha and HoneyBee.
• OnSite Ergonomic and Physical Therapy consultation services.
• Discounts on West Paw products!

West Paw is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity and to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you are interested in applying for employment with West Paw and are in need of accommodation or special assistance to navigate our website or to complete your application please send an email with your request to our People and Culture team . West Paw encourages each of our team members to understand accept and celebrate differences among people. That includes different personalities lifestyles work styles education and experience. We also welcome and embrace people of all races ethnicities ages religions physical abilities sexual orientation gender identities and genders at West Paw. If youre not sure that you meet 100 of the requirements posted above but may bring value to the team please apply anyway! Wed love to talk to you.

Required Experience:

Manager