Production Team Lead

We are seeking a hands-on Production Team Lead to oversee daily sourcing operations and ensure the smooth execution of global manufacturing orders.
You will lead and develop a team of sourcing specialists while maintaining operational discipline, consistent SOP compliance, and reliable order fulfillment.
Your primary objective will be to keep orders on schedule, anticipate production bottlenecks, and resolve factory delays or quality issues before they affect customers.
Combining team leadership with direct operational involvement, you will manage order pipelines, monitor performance, and handle complex escalations.
You will also evaluate manufacturing partners and drive continuous improvements based on operational data and recurring challenges.
Working across international teams and time zones, you will collaborate with Sales, Design, and Customer Support to improve coordination and customer satisfaction.
This is a fully remote, high-ownership opportunity for an experienced manufacturing or sourcing professional who thrives in a fast-paced, results-driven environment.

As Production Team Lead, you will manage the day-to-day performance of the sourcing team while remaining actively involved in operational execution. You will be responsible for maintaining delivery standards, resolving production challenges, and improving workflows. Your key responsibilities will include:

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of sourcing specialists through regular one-on-one meetings, training, and performance coaching.

• Manage daily team activities and ensure consistent adherence to standard operating procedures for order tracking and fulfillment.

• Conduct regular audits of platform communications and identify issues that could negatively affect the customer experience.

• Monitor the global order pipeline, identify potential bottlenecks, and take immediate action to protect on-time delivery.

• Serve as the first point of escalation for complex order exceptions, quality control failures, and factory delays.

• Independently investigate and resolve operational issues while keeping relevant stakeholders informed.

• Evaluate manufacturing partners and allocate production to reliable suppliers capable of meeting quality and delivery expectations.

• Analyze operational data and recurring delays to identify root causes and implement sustainable process improvements.

• Manage order trackers, operational workflows, and daily sourcing activities alongside team leadership responsibilities.

• Work closely with Sales, Design, and Customer Support teams to improve cross-functional communication and streamline order execution.

• Monitor team performance against key performance indicators and operational standards.

• Share operational insights and improvement recommendations that can inform broader business processes, workflows, and product development.

The ideal candidate is an accountable and adaptable operational leader with a strong background in manufacturing, supply chain management, or product sourcing. You should be comfortable combining people management with hands-on execution and making independent decisions in a fast-moving environment. Key qualifications include:

• At least 3 years of direct experience in manufacturing, supply chain management, or product sourcing.

• Proven experience managing, training, and evaluating a team, including conducting one-on-one meetings and managing performance against KPIs and SOPs.

• Demonstrated ability to independently resolve order exceptions, factory delays, and quality control issues.

• Experience managing operational workflows and tracking tools, including order trackers and ERP systems.

• A hands-on approach and willingness to manage daily operational details rather than focusing exclusively on strategic responsibilities.

• Excellent professional-level English proficiency (C1/C2), with clear, concise, and effective written and verbal communication.

• Strong analytical thinking, business judgment, and problem-solving capabilities.

• Exceptional ownership and accountability, with the ability to take responsibility for outcomes and drive issues through to resolution.

• Adaptability and openness to direct, constructive feedback, with the ability to adjust quickly to changing priorities.

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently without extensive supervision.

• A disciplined, self-motivated approach suited to a full-time, dedicated independent contractor engagement.

• Reliable remote working infrastructure, including a high-performance computer, noise-canceling headset, and stable, high-speed internet connection.

The following qualifications would be an advantage:

• Fluency in Mandarin to facilitate communication with China-based sourcing teams and manufacturing partners.

• Experience implementing process improvement methodologies such as Lean or Six Sigma.

• Data analysis and dashboard development skills, particularly for monitoring operational metrics such as on-time delivery.