Team Lead – Backhoe Operations

Location: Dubuque, IA
Shift: 3rd shift, 10:30 p.m.–6:00 a.m.
Schedule: Monday–Friday; some Saturday work may be required
Overtime: Weekday and weekend overtime may be requested based on production needs
Pay Rate: $41.00 per hour (W-2 through KellyOCG supporting John Deere)
Assignment Length: 12 months
Visa Sponsorship: Visa sponsorship is not available now or in the near future for this position.

Position Summary

As a Team Lead – Backhoe Operations at John Deere Dubuque Works, you will lead and support production employees while ensuring department objectives are achieved across safety, quality, delivery, efficiency, and employee engagement.

The ideal candidate is an effective communicator and problem solver who can motivate a diverse team, make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment, address performance concerns, and promote a positive culture of safety and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Manage and monitor individual and department performance related to safety, quality, delivery, and efficiency.
• Take corrective action, including discipline when necessary, in accordance with company policies and procedures.
• Drive employee engagement through regular communication, feedback, coaching, and guidance.
• Establish and maintain a positive, collaborative work environment.
• Ensure assigned employees have the appropriate training, work instructions, and tools to successfully perform their jobs.
• Lead safety communications and encourage employee participation in continuous-improvement activities.
• Support the Safety and Ergonomic Risk Assessment (SERA) process.
• Encourage near-miss reporting and support timely, thorough completion of safety corrective actions.
• Manage daily staffing and employee moves on the production line to meet production and warehousing requirements.
• Oversee production activities to ensure products meet or exceed established quality standards.
• Support department-level factory goals related to:
  • 5S implementation
  • Continuous improvement
  • Manpower planning
  • Operating budgets
• Communicate production expectations, priorities, and updates to team members.
• Monitor progress toward production targets and address issues that may affect output or on-time delivery.
• Identify skill gaps and coordinate training and development opportunities.
• Provide constructive performance feedback and hold employees accountable for their responsibilities.
• Address and resolve employee and team conflicts effectively.
• Collaborate with supply management, engineering, operations, human resources, and labor relations.
• Work overtime on weekdays and weekends as needed to support operational requirements.

Required Qualifications

• At least two years of experience in a unionized manufacturing environment.
• At least one year of experience with manufacturing and quality management principles, tools, and processes.
• Ability to lead, motivate, and support a diverse production team.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Demonstrated ability to make sound decisions in high-pressure or time-sensitive situations.
• Ability to conduct crucial conversations and enforce company policies, procedures, practices, and work rules.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Knowledge of workplace safety standards and regulations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Willingness to work weekday and weekend overtime as required.
• Ability to work onsite five days per week.
• Degree or equivalent related work experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• At least one year of experience in a leadership role within a unionized environment.
• At least one year of experience with production control systems, preferably within John Deere.
• Two or more years of experience with shop-floor manufacturing and incentive pay systems, such as CIPP.
• Experience with employee training, performance feedback, and accountability.
• Experience supporting safety, quality, delivery, and efficiency metrics.
• Cross-functional experience in manufacturing engineering, quality, material control, supply management, human resources, or labor relations.
• Demonstrated experience using lean manufacturing techniques to drive business improvements.
• Experience with production schedules and manufacturing targets.
• Working knowledge of operational and information systems, including:
  • Word
  • Excel
  • SAP
  • SharePoint
  • Power BI

Education

A bachelor’s degree or equivalent related work experience in one of the following areas is preferred:

• Engineering or technology
• Operations
• Business or management
• Supply management

Leadership Competencies

• Driving Sustainable Results
• Operating Globally and Inclusively
• Making Sound Decisions
• Communicating with Impact
• Leading Change
• Engaging and Inspiring