Hard Armor Special Equipment Lead (2nd Shift)

Safariland, LLC; Peoria (AZ); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Special Equipment Lead in the Safariland, LLC Hard Armor Department oversees second-shift operations for the press, waterjet, and related equipment, ensuring safety, training, and strict process adherence.

You will coach operators, monitor quality, maintain documentation, and collaborate with maintenance and engineering to resolve equipment issues while supporting smooth shift handoffs.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of experience operating or leading manufacturing equipment.
• Ability to train others and ensure process adherence.
• Experience maintaining production documentation and quality standards.
• Strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on leadership and training for second-shift operators on press, waterjet, and related equipment.
• Evaluate operator proficiency and coach or retrain as needed, escalating issues to supervisor.
• Ensure shift operations follow SOPs, process specs, quality requirements, and documentation.
• Monitor adherence and provide feedback on deviations and corrective actions.
• Oversee maintenance and housekeeping tasks and participate in 5S as required.
• Collaborate with maintenance, engineering, and other shifts to report and resolve equipment issues.
• Enforce safety policies, PPE, lockout/tagout, and report safety concerns immediately.
• Promote accountability, teamwork, and high-quality production while assisting with equipment as needed.

Skills

Leadership

Training

Quality standards

Problem solving

Communication

Job description

Summary of Position:

The Special Equipment Lead oversees the day-to-day operation, training, and process control of all specialized equipment within the Hard Armor Department - including the Press, Autoclave, and Waterjet systems.

Monday - Thursday (11:30AM - 10:00PM)

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provide hands-on leadership and training for second-shift press, waterjet, and related equipment operators to ensure understanding of equipment functions, safety procedures, work instructions, and process requirements.
• Evaluate operator proficiency and provide ongoing coaching or retraining as needed, escalating performance or training concerns to the Production Supervisor.
• Ensure second-shift operations adhere to current work instructions, standard operating procedures (SOPs), process specifications, quality requirements, and production documentation.
• Monitor process adherence and provide immediate feedback to operators; communicate deviations, quality concerns, and corrective actions to the Production Supervisor.
• Ensure operators complete user-level maintenance, inspections, housekeeping, and 5S tasks in accordance with established requirements.
• Partner with the Production Supervisor, maintenance, engineering, and first-shift personnel to report, track, and resolve equipment issues and support clear shift handoffs.
• Reinforce all safety policies, including PPE compliance, lockout/tagout, and equipment-specific safety requirements, and immediately elevate safety concerns to the Production Supervisor.
• Promote accountability, teamwork, quality, and efficient production across second-shift operations while remaining hands-on and assisting with equipment operation as required.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 3 years of experience operating or leading manufacturing equipment; press, waterjet, or similar industrial equipment experience preferred.
• Proven ability to train others, maintain process adherence, and complete required production documentation.
• Strong understanding of production flow, process control, equipment utilization, and quality standards.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills. Ability to work independently with limited management presence and support changing production priorities.
• Dependable attendance and ability to work the scheduled second shift, overtime, or adjusted schedules as required by production demands. This position is eligible for a 10% second-shift differential.

Physical Demands:

Ability to stand, bend, and lift up to 50 lbs. for extended periods. Comfortable working around heat, pressure, and high-noise equipment. Must be able to wear required PPE, including gloves, hearing protection, and safety glasses.

Equal Opportunity Employer: We do not discriminate against any employee or job applicant because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information. We are committed to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment.