Manufacturing Production Technician III (1st Shift)

Colonial Group; York (York County); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Colonial Group seeks a seasoned production lead to oversee forging, machining, and finishing operations essential for high-strength chain and fittings. You will act as a technical expert, drive process improvements, and mentor technicians to meet safety, quality, and efficiency targets.

The role requires hands-on leadership in forming, heat treatment interfaces, data analysis, and problem solving to minimize downtime and scrap while ensuring compliance with industry standards.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 3-5 years manufacturing, warehouse, industrial or related experience.
• Advanced knowledge of forging, machining, and finishing for high-strength chain and fittings.
• Ability to diagnose metallurgical or dimensional issues impacting product performance.
• Mentor technicians and drive process improvements.
• Ability to operate independently and make high-impact technical decisions.

Responsibilities

• Lead operation of forging presses, automated welding, or advanced machining systems.
• Troubleshoot dimensional variance, metallurgical defects, or coating failures.
• Analyze production data to improve yield, strength, and process efficiency.
• Support heat treatment process optimization and interfaces with control systems.
• Mentor technicians and guide best practices in production processes.
• Drive scrap reduction and process improvement initiatives.
• Act as technical lead during production disruptions.

Skills

Forging knowledge

Machining

Finishing processes

Data analysis

Mentor technicians

Independent decisions

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

3-5 years manufacturing experience

Tools

HMI/PLC systems

Job description

Job Summary

Lead complex production processes for chain and fittings requiring precision, durability, and compliance with industry standards. Serve as a technical expert for forming, machining, and finishing operations. Drive improvements in quality, efficiency, and equipment performance.

Essential Job Functions*

• Lead operation of forging presses, automated welding, or advanced machining systems.
• Troubleshoot complex issues such as dimensional variance, metallurgical defects, or coating failures.
• Analyze production data to improve yield, strength, and process efficiency.
• Support heat treatment process optimization (hardness, tensile strength targets).
• Interface with automated control systems (HMI/PLC) for process monitoring.
• Validate setups for new products or custom fittings.
• Mentor technicians and guide best practices in production processes.
• Drive scrap reduction and process improvement initiatives.
• Support maintenance and tooling improvements.
• Act as technical lead during production disruptions.
• Other duties as assigned.

*This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Employees are expected and encouraged to participate in safety and health program activities including immediately reporting hazards, immediately reporting unsafe work practices and incidents to supervisors, wearing required personal protective equipment, and participating in and supporting safety committee activities.

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 3-5 years of manufacturing, warehouse, industrial, or related experience.

Competencies – Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of forging, machining, and finishing processes required for high-strength chain and fittings production.
• Ability to diagnose metallurgical or dimensional issues impacting product performance.
• Skill in analyzing production and quality data to drive process improvements.
• Knowledge of heat treatment processes and their impact on material properties.
• Ability to mentor technicians and improve overall team capability.
• Ability to operate independently and make high-impact technical decisions.
• Ability to collaborate cross-functionally with engineering and quality teams.

Operational Equipment

• N/A

Work Environment and Physical Demands

Work Environment

Packaging - Material Handler: Self-paced, 8 hr shifts. May be exposed to fumes, loud noises, and extreme temperatures infrequently. Functional near, far and peripheral vision and functional hearing required.

Physical Demands

Packaging - Material Handler: Heavy, lifting up to 85 lbs., pushing/pulling up to 280 lbs.