Manufacturing Supervisor

Grand Rapids Chair Company; Byron Township (MI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Grand Rapids Chair Company in Byron Township, MI is seeking a Manufacturing Supervisor to lead daily manufacturing operations. You will drive performance while supporting team development, safety, quality, and 5S/lean initiatives on the shop floor.

The role requires hands-on leadership, strong communication, and the ability to manage staffing, scheduling, and KPIs to meet delivery targets. This position is on-site with standard first shift hours and occasional Saturdays.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• 3+ years leading operations environments or equivalent.
• 2+ years leading lean culture using lean tools.
• Excellent written, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Proven ability to coach direct reports and develop people.
• Strong analytical, problem solving, and strategic skills.
• Experience with ERP systems and business software.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a production team with accountability and continuous improvement.
• Partner with HR and operations leadership to hire, onboard, train, and retain hourly staff.
• Create and manage shift schedules to meet production goals.
• Provide coaching and timely feedback; administer discipline when necessary.
• Ensure safety, quality, and delivery targets are met through effective supervision.
• Track KPIs and report performance to leadership; maintain cost controls.
• Mentor team members and encourage problem-solving and cross-training.

Skills

Leadership

Lean

Kaizen

5S

Safety

Problem solving

Communication

Cross-training

Team building

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

ERP systems

Excel

Outlook

Word

Job description

• First Shift: Hours vary by week, typically M-F 5:00 AM - 3:00 PM with occasional mandatory Saturdays.

Position Summary: We are seeking a hands-on, people-focused Manufacturing Supervisor to lead daily operations on the manufacturing floor. The ideal candidate is a proactive leader who drives performance while supporting the development and well-being of their team. This role is responsible for overseeing safety, quality, delivery, staffing, production throughput — all while ensuring a clean, organized, and efficient work environment aligned with 5S and lean principles.

Essential Functions:

• o Lead and manage a production team, fostering a culture of accountability, respect, and continuous improvement.
• o Partner with HR and operations leadership to hire, onboard, train, and retain hourly employees.
• o Create and manage shift schedules to meet production and capacity goals.
• o Provide timely coaching, performance feedback, and discipline when necessary.

Safety & 5S

• o Champion a safety-first culture; ensure compliance with company safety policies and OSHA regulations.
• o Proactively identify and correct safety hazards.
• o Implement and sustain 5S practices to maintain a clean, organized, and efficient work area.

Quality & Continuous Improvement

• o Enforce quality standards and lead efforts to reduce defects and rework.
• o Collaborate with quality and engineering teams to address root causes of nonconformance.
• o Lead and participate in kaizen and process improvement initiatives.

Production & Delivery

• o Ensure daily production targets and delivery schedules are met or exceeded.
• o Monitor workflow, machine utilization, and crew assignments to meet capacity demands.
• o Escalate and resolve production barriers in real time.

Accountability & Communication

• o Conduct daily shift startup meetings and Gemba walks.
• o Maintain clear communication with other shifts, departments, and leadership.
• o Track and report KPIs related to safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost.
• o Hold team members accountable to standards and expectations.

Team Development

• o Identify training gaps and cross-train team members to increase flexibility and capability.
• o Act as a mentor and coach to develop future leaders.
• o Encourage employee involvement in problem-solving and process improvements.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in related field preferred,
• Welding and fabrication and/or machining experience preferred
• Minimum of three years leading in operations environments or equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Minimum of two years leading and furthering a lean culture that utilized lean methodologies and tools.
• Excellent written, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Effective leader of people who can articulate a vision that inspires and motivates followership.
• Able to build trusting relationships with Operations team members and leaders across the organization.
• Proven experience developing and coaching direct reports with a focus on results, lean thinking, and people development.
• Strong analytical, problem solving, and strategic skills.
• Strong business acumen.
• Efficient in using common computer programs like Outlook, Word, and Excel. Experience using ERP systems.