Manufacturing Supervisor

Essex Brownell; Fort Wayne (IN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Essex Brownell LLC is seeking a Manufacturing Supervisor to oversee direct production staff and mentor a hands-on team under the Manufacturing Manager. You will prevent waste, drive throughputs, and maintain quality using Lean Six Sigma tools and 5S practices.

You will partner with quality and service groups to troubleshoot issues, implement corrective actions, and ensure safe, efficient operations. The role requires strong communication and leadership in a factory setting.

Qualifications

• Clear communication from management to staff and back to leadership.
• Strong decision-making and troubleshooting skills are essential.
• Assist with the Quality Management System (QMS).
• Develop standards to optimize throughput and quality.
• Work with quality to determine root causes of nonconformances and implement corrective actions.
• Apply Lean Six Sigma problem-solving methods and statistics for improvements.
• Manage process changes as required.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and efficient work environment following 5S principles.

Responsibilities

• Direct supervision of employees and coordination with manufacturing service groups.
• Allocate resources to minimize downtime and ensure scheduled activities are completed.
• Oversee safety practices and ensure compliance with policies.
• Provide training, guidance, and coaching to employees.
• Communicate shift activity and changes to equipment, processes, and materials.
• Monitor production using GEMBA walk and performance boards for efficiency and quality.
• Review goals and identify root causes if targets are not met; report findings.
• Monitor shipments and internal material work orders to ensure on-time delivery.

Skills

Communication

Decision-making

Troubleshooting

QMS

Process standards

Root cause analysis

Lean Six Sigma

Process changes

5S

GEMBA

Tools

Microsoft Office

Outlook

Word

Excel

Access

Job description

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the direction of the Manufacturing Manager, the Manufacturing Supervisor is responsible for preventing waste and inefficiencies in production processes while ensuring the production direct workforce are following the plant personnel and production standards. This is a hands-on Supervisor position is expected to aid the Manufacturing Manager, direct supervision of employees and work with the manufacturing service groups.

Technical Skills

SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Must be able to communicate with both management and staff clearly and informatively.
• Strong decision-making and troubleshooting skills and methods are essential.
• Assist with the QMS (Quality Management System).
• Works with management to develop standards for process optimize throughput and quality.
• Work closely with the quality manager to determine the most likely root cause from off standard incidents and implement a corrective action.
• Use proven Lean Six Sigma problem-solving methods and statistical tools for improvements.
• Manage process changes as required.
• Maintain a clean, safe and efficient work environment by following the 5S principles.
• Complete all other specially assigned tasks or projects.

Leadership Skills

• Allocate resources to ensure minimum downtime and completion of scheduled activities.
• Oversee and maintain safety practices in accordance with safe operations and in compliance with company policies.
• Provide training, guidance and coaching to employees in a consistent and constructive manner.
• Communicate shift activity to personnel and keep them informed of the changes to equipment, processes and, materials.
• Monitor manufacturing using GEMBA walk and performance boards to ensure efficiency and quality of all production jobs.
• Review goals of work areas during GEMBA and identify root cause if goal was not obtained, report findings.
• Monitor product shipments, including the review of internal material work orders to ensure On Tim Delivery to our customers.
• Manage employee conduct or performance problems in a manner consistent with human resource policies. Refer to Human Resources for advice and consultation as needed.

Qualifications/Experience

• Two years direct supervision of manufacturing position, union experience helpful.
• Ability to manage and treat people fairly and consistently.
• Proficiency with computer operations and programs such as Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel) Access or other data tracking systems.
• ISO 9001 / IATF experience is a plus.
• Familiarity with health and safety regulations.
• Analytical thinker with interpersonal skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently & creatively

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Ability to work in a non-environmentally controlled facility. Hot in the summer.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds.
• Ability to walk approximately 8000 steps per day.

Scope Of Duties And Responsibilities

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employee(s) will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. A review of this position has excluded the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of fundamental job duties. All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbent(s) will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.