| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Production |
| Level | Mid level |
| Reports to | Line Supervisor |
| Direct reports | Assembly Line Operator, Production Operator |
| Experience | 3 to 6 years as an operator on the same type of line, certified on most stations |
Line Leader job description template
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Job title: Line Leader
Department: Production
Reports to: Line Supervisor
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
A Line Leader is a senior operator who leads a small team on one production or assembly line while still working on it. They start the line on time, fill gaps when an operator is absent or on break, check that standard work is followed and raise problems quickly to the line supervisor. Common in automotive, electronics and appliance plants, the role is the first step into leadership. A good line leader keeps the line moving and the team working to standard.
Key responsibilities
- Check the line before start-up: materials at each station, tools and fixtures in place, and the previous shift's handover notes.
- Confirm operator attendance at the start of the shift and tell the supervisor about gaps so relievers can be arranged.
- Relieve operators for breaks and cover any station where an operator is absent or new, so the line holds its takt time.
- Watch each station during the shift and correct departures from standard work, work instructions and quality checks.
- Pull the andon or stop the line when a defect, safety risk or material shortage appears, and escalate to the supervisor.
- Train new operators at the station and sign them off on the skill matrix once they meet the standard.
- Record hourly output, defects and short stoppages on the production board.
- Lead the start-of-shift huddle on the day's target, quality alerts and safety points.
- Take part in kaizen and problem solving on the line, and put forward small improvements.
Requirements
- ITI in Fitter, Mechanic, Electrician or Electronics trade, or a diploma
- 12th pass with long line experience is accepted in some plants
- Training in 5S or basic quality tools is an advantage
- 3 to 6 years as an operator on the same type of line, certified on most stations
KRAs and KPIs for a Line Leader
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| Hourly output | Hourly board targets met in at least 90 percent of the hours in each shift |
| Standard work | No standard work deviations found in the supervisor's daily layered audit |
| Quality at station | Defects reaching the end-of-line inspection below the daily limit |
| Operator training | New operators certified on at least one station within their first two weeks |
| Andon response | Andon raised within one minute of a problem being found |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: Hourly production board, Andon system, Torque wrench and poka-yoke fixtures, Skill matrix chart, Work instruction sheets.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Line Supervisor, Production Supervisor, Quality Inspector
Interview questions for a Line Leader
- The operator on station 4 is slow and the line is starving. What do you do right now?
- How many stations on your current line can you run to standard?
- A friend on the line skips a quality check. How do you handle it?
- When would you stop the line?
- How do you teach a new operator a station with 12 steps?
- What do you write on the hourly board, and why does it matter?
Managing a Line Leader in ZeniaHR
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What does a line leader do in a manufacturing plant?
A line leader is an experienced operator who leads a small team on one line while working on it. They prepare the line at start-up, cover absent operators and breaks, check standard work, raise andon calls for problems and train new operators. They report to the line supervisor and are the first link between operators and management.
What is the difference between a line leader and a line supervisor?
A line leader works on the line and leads by example, covering stations and correcting deviations as they happen. A line supervisor is responsible for the line's output, quality, manpower and discipline across the shift, handles escalations and reports to production management. The supervisor manages the line, while the leader keeps it running minute by minute.
How do you become a line leader?
Most line leaders are promoted from operators who can run most stations on the line to standard, have a good quality and attendance record and are respected by the team. An ITI or diploma helps. Showing that you can train new operators and raise problems early is usually what gets you noticed.