Job Description
Who will you be working with: You will work closely with production operators, supervisors, quality, safety, maintenance, and other production support teams. The Line Lead serves as a day-to-day operational resource for employees within the assigned area, helping coordinate workflow, communicate production priorities, support training efforts, and drive safe, efficient operations while partnering closely with supervisors and management.
How will you make a difference:
The Compressor Line Lead is responsible for providing day-to-day leadership and operational support within the Compressor production line while performing assembly and production-related activities as needed. This position is accountable for supporting safety, quality, delivery, productivity, employee engagement, 5S, and continuous improvement initiatives. The Line Lead serves as a key communication link between operators and leadership while helping ensure operational continuity, workforce coordination, and production excellence. The Compressor Line Lead is expected to take ownership of the assigned production area by promoting accountability, supporting employee development, identifying opportunities for improvement, and leading by example in all aspects of performance.
Monday - Thursday 5:00am - 3:30pm. This position might require flexibility to work overtime on Fridays and Saturdays.
Location: KRC 4800 Deramus Ave Kansas City, MO 64120
What do we want to know about you?
Minimum Qualifications and requirements: (To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.)
- High school diploma, associate’s degree or equivalent preferred.
- Minimum 2-3 years in manufacturing, assembly, repair, or production experience preferred.
- Ability to effectively communicate, read, and understand work instructions, procedures, and business communications in English.
- Bilingual capabilities (English/Spanish) are highly preferred.
- Demonstrated leadership capabilities and ability to positively influence team performance.
- Knowledge and understanding of specialized equipment, hand tools, and production processes.
- Ability to communicate effectively with employees, supervisors, and support departments.
- Ability to organize work, prioritize tasks, and support multiple operational needs.
- Experience supporting employee training, coaching, or mentoring preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to coach, mentor, and develop team members.
- Working knowledge of 5S principles and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Ability to monitor production metrics and identify barriers impacting safety, quality, delivery, and productivity.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately escalate employee concerns.
- Strong commitment to promoting a safety-first culture and employee engagement.
Other Qualifications:
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.Ability to lead by example and promote accountability.
- Ability to identify and escalate safety, quality, and operational concerns.
- Mechanical aptitude and manufacturing experience preferred.Ability to read and follow work instructions, drawings, procedures, and specifications.
- Computer skills and/or experience with Microsoft office is highly preferred.
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills within defined responsibilities.
- Willingness to cross-train and support multiple production areas as business needs require.
What will your typical day look like?
- Provide day-to-day leadership and operational support to employees within the assigned production area.
- Lead by example through professionalism, attendance, work ethic, safety compliance, and positive engagement.
- Communicate daily production goals, priorities, and expectations to team members.
- Coordinate workflow to maintain production schedules and support operational objectives.
- Facilitate daily production start-up meetings in the absence of the supervisor, communicating key safety, quality, delivery, and productivity objectives while ensuring team members understand expectations, priorities, and staffing assignments for the shift.
- Monitor line performance and proactively communicate barriers impacting safety, quality, delivery, or productivity.
- Provide coaching, guidance, and constructive feedback to employees regarding job performance and work practices.
- Support employee onboarding, training, and cross-training activities.
- Serve as the first point of contact for routine employee questions and concerns.
- Communicate employee concerns, staffing challenges, and operational issues to supervisors and management.
- Foster teamwork, accountability, and collaboration across the production floor.
- Participate in and/or lead daily GEMBA board discussions and production meetings as assigned.
- Promote and model safe work practices while ensuring compliance with all safety policies, procedures, and PPE requirements.
- Identify, report, and escalate safety hazards, incidents, and unsafe conditions.
- Support safety initiatives, workplace inspections, and corrective actions to maintain a safe work environment.
- Ensure adherence to quality standards, work instructions, and established production processes.
- Communicate quality concerns promptly and support corrective actions.
- Coach employees on quality expectations and encourage defect prevention and continuous improvement.
- Coordinate daily workflow and staffing to support production schedules and operational goals.
- Monitor line performance, communicate production barriers, and assist in resolving operational issues.
- Support training, cross-training, and production coverage while maintaining workflow continuity and productivity.
- Take ownership of the assigned production line, including supporting people, safety, quality, delivery, and operational results.
- Promote and sustain 5S standards, workplace organization, and standard work practices.
- Identify opportunities to improve safety, quality, productivity, and efficiency and support implementation of approved improvements.
- Encourage employee participation in continuous improvement initiatives.
- Coordinate staffing needs and support production coverage during employee absences.
- Assist in maintaining production continuity during staffing shortages and operational disruptions.
- Verify employees are following established work instructions, quality standards, and production procedures.
- Support internal quality system requirements and corrective action activities.
- Encourage employees to report safety concerns, near misses, and workplace hazards.
- Maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive employee matters and escalate issues requiring management involvement.
- Utilize company systems, reports, and operational tools to support production objectives.
- Support cross-training efforts and workforce flexibility across multiple production areas as business needs require.
- Support operational flexibility by participating in cross-training and accepting reassignment to other production lines or areas based on business needs and qualifications.
What about the physical demands of the job? (The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)
- Regularly lift, move, carry, push, and/or pull materials, components, and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
- Walk throughout the production facility and remain on your feet for extended periods, including the duration of a full shift.
- Perform production, assembly, and leadership support activities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
- Move between workstations and production areas to provide operational support, training, coverage, and workflow coordination.
- Maintain regular on-site attendance and presence during scheduled shifts to support employees and production operations.
Work Environment: (The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.)
Work is performed in shop environment that is non-temperature-controlled production environment, with exposure to varying temperatures and other environmental factors. Our job titles may span more than one career level.
Additional Information
Our job titles may span more than one career level. The hourly rate for this role is currently $22.50 + $2.00 Line Lead differential. The actual salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors, such as: training, transferable skills, work experience, education, business needs, market demands and work location. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. More information on offered benefits, which include health, welfare, and retirement, are available at mywabtecbenefits.com. Other benefit offerings for this role may include annual bonus, if eligible.
What could you accomplish in a place that puts People First?
At Wabtec, it’s not just about a job - it’s about the impact you make. When our people come together, we’re Expanding the Possible by continuously improving what we do and how we do it - for our clients and each other.
If you’re ready to revolutionize how the world moves for future generations, Wabtec is the place for you.
Who are we?
Wabtec is a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital solutions, and value-added services for the freight and transit rail sectors. Drawing on more than 150 years of experience, we are leading the way in safety, efficiency, reliability, innovation, and productivity. Whether it’s freight, transit, ports, logistics, mining, industrial, or marine, our expertise, technologies, and people together – are accelerating the future of transportation. With roots that date back to George Westinghouse, Thomas Edison, and Louis Faiveley, Wabtec has always built technologies and implemented solutions for a variety of sectors that are critical to meeting the needs of customers and governments alike.
Our global team of about 30,000 employees worldwide delivers performance that moves the world forward. We’re lifelong learners, obsessed with better. Learn more at www.WabtecCorp.com.
Culture powers us and the possibilities.
We believe the best ideas come from a mix of experiences and backgrounds. At Wabtec, we strive every day to create a place where everyone belongs. We’re building a culture where leadership, inclusion and your unique perspective fuel progress.
We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome talent of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities, including race, gender, age, disability, veteran status and more.
Need accommodation? Just let us know - we’ve got you.