Production Team Leader

KEY PURPOSE OF JOB

The Production Team Lead is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of an assigned production line within an aerospace engineering environment. This role ensures the efficient delivery of high-quality, reliable electro-mechanical products by leading and supporting the production team, maintaining output standards, and ensuring on-time delivery, every time.

KEY TASKS

General: Production Team Lead

• Responsible for ensuring that the cleanroom always complies with NSS internal cleanliness standards
• Responsible for ensuring that cleanroom logs are completed accurately and kept up to date
• Responsible for reporting any deficiencies in materials, parts, or consumables to Quality
• Responsible for maintaining stock levels of materials, parts, or consumables and reporting any shortages to Stores for replenishment
• Responsible for execution and adherence to the production plan
• Ensure the team actively logs and completes tasks in MOM in line with the production plan
• Plan, organise, coordinate, manage, and control production teams to ensure output delivery and quality standards are met
• Ensure that all work standards used are current and that all steps are followed and adhered to
• Responsible for identifying issues and potential line stoppages that may impact capacity planning, and reporting thereof to the Production Shift Supervisor
• Report and escalate findings and disciplinary issues to the next level
• Assign duties, set goals, communicate to all levels, conduct team meetings, and ensure a smooth shift handover
• Ensure good timekeeping is maintained by all staff reporting to them
• Ensure personnel are working safely and following health and safety procedures and regulations

Operations: Assembly Technician

• Responsible for the day-to-day cleanroom operations
• Overseeing the population and hand-soldering of PCBs to the highest (space/satellite) standards
• Overseeing the assembly of harnesses
• Assisting with the assembly of sub-assemblies into chassis
• Application of glues, thermal compounds, and conformal coatings
• Operation of related assembly aids such as curing ovens, vacuum tanks, compressors, solder pots, crimping tools, etc.
• Logging and controlling the storage of electronic and other components, as well as work-in-progress and completed products
• Secure packing and storage of sub-assemblies and completed products
• Capturing of tasks and job status in line with build operations
• Reporting production progress and issues to the Production Shift Supervisor
• Reviewing assembly documentation/build instructions and understanding what needs to be done and how it is to be done
• Ensuring all documentation is signed off for traceability
• Ensuring correct procedures/processes are followed during manufacturing
• Ensuring traceability of all parts during the assembly process

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Qualification:

• Matric
• National Diploma or Degree in Electrical Engineering/Mechanical Engineering, or a related field
• Formal supervisory or leadership training/qualification will be advantageous
• Tertiary qualification in Production Management will be advantageous

Experience:

• Extensive, proven manufacturing experience, preferably in electronics assembly
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in an IPC Class 3 manufacturing environment
• 3–5 years’ experience in a Team Leader or Supervisory role within a manufacturing environment (preferred)
• Working knowledge of IPC standards and ISO 9001 requirements
• Ability to interpret mechanical and electronic drawings
• Experience working in cleanroom, ESD, and/or optical assembly environments
• Solid technical support experience within a manufacturing setting
• Knowledge of satellite subsystems and the space environment would be advantageous

COMPETENCIES & SKILLS

• Strong leadership and team management
• Good planning and organisational skills
• High attention to detail and quality focus
• Effective problem-solving and decision-making
• Clear communication across all levels
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Hands-on, proactive approach with accountability
• Strong interpersonal skills and team collaboration
• Commitment to safety and continuous improvement