Lead Manufacturing Engineer 1st Shift

The Production Supervisor is responsible for leading, mentoring, and coordinating daily departmental operations to achieve targets in safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people development. This role oversees daily staffing, timekeeping, continuous improvement, and performance management while fostering a safe, collaborative, and inclusive environment in a unionized manufacturing/warehouse setting.

Core Responsibilities People Leadership & Development: Coach, mentor, and coordinate direct reports and support functions; conduct daily team meetings and developmental conversations to foster employee growth and engagement. Staffing & Time Management: Manage daily staffing requirements, overtime allocation, shift scheduling, absenteeism, and payroll/timekeeping approvals.

Safety & Environmental Compliance: Lead and enforce compliance with company policies, union agreements, OSHA, environmental guidelines, and ergonomics protocols. Quality & Operational Excellence: Execute daily quality checks, monitor key metrics, and communicate operational trends or irregularities to the Department Manager.

Continuous Improvement: Lead Lean and Six Sigma initiatives to identify waste, streamline workflows, and drive root-cause problem solving across cross-functional teams. Performance & Relations Management: Drive team accountability, handle conflict resolution, manage disciplinary processes, and encourage employee-driven improvement ideas.

Core Technical & Leadership Skills Operational Leadership: Proven ability to manage daily shift priorities, coordinate teams, and make sound, timely decisions in a fast-paced environment. Continuous Improvement & Lean Methodology: Demonstrated capability in applying Lean tools (e.g., 5S, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping) to eliminate waste and optimize process efficiency.

Safety Management: Practical knowledge of safety compliance standards, hazard identification, and OSHA regulations. Data Analysis & Workforce Management: Ability to analyze operational metrics, track KPIs, and utilize workforce software alongside business tools (Microsoft Excel, Word, and Power BI) to spot trends and resolve deficiencies.

Cross-Functional Problem Solving: Strong analytical approach to investigating root causes, gathering team input, and implementing long-term operational solutions. Interpersonal & Behavioral Skills Communication & Collaboration: Clear oral and written communication skills to effectively align direct reports, union stewards, and management.

Emotional Intelligence & Self-Awareness: High degree of self-awareness, receptivity to feedback, and ability to navigate challenging personnel situations with composure. Integrity & Accountability: Dedication to upholding operational policies, maintaining safety standards, and ensuring equitable treatment across the team.

Qualifications

& Experience Required: Minimum of 2 years of hands-on experience in a leadership, supervisory, or team-lead role. Preferred: 3 to 5 years of experience within a manufacturing or warehouse environment, ideally within a unionized workforce. Preferred Education: Associate degree or higher (equivalent practical experience and demonstrated leadership ability will be considered).

Certifications (Bonus): Lean Manufacturing training or Six Sigma Certification.