Milling Department Lead 1st Shift

HALCON Furniture; Stewartville (MN); On-site; USD 28,929 - 34,440; Full time

Job summary

A furniture manufacturing company in Stewartville is seeking a Milling Department Lead to oversee safety, quality, and productivity in the milling area. This role involves ensuring adherence to safety measures, tracking production performance, and facilitating a culture of continuous improvement. The ideal candidate should possess strong organizational skills and experience in a manufacturing environment, actively promoting safety and process discipline. Competitive pay ranging from $21 to $25 per hour is offered based on experience and skills.

Qualifications

• Experience in a manufacturing environment preferred.
• Ability to lead a team while ensuring safety and quality standards.
• Knowledge of continuous improvement practices (lean, 5S) is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Ensure all employees follow required safety measures.
• Track production progress and address performance issues.
• Work with Manufacturing Engineers to establish best practices.
• Facilitate a culture of continuous improvement.

Skills

Strong organizational skills

Safety management

Process discipline

Problem-solving

Communicative

Job description

HALCON Furniture, located in Stewartville, MN, manufactures award-winning, modern office furniture of the highest quality. To meet increased demand for our innovative products, we are currently seeking a Milling Department Lead to join our growing company. The ideal Milling Department Lead will embrace the opportunity to contribute to the Milling department and bring a positive attitude and strong organizational skills to a dedicated, fast-paced team. The Milling Department Lead is the “business owner” of their area. It is essential that Department Leads understand internal supplier & customer needs and work with all parties to continually improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost (SQDC).

Responsibilities:

• Safety:
  • The Milling Department Lead is responsible for ensuring all employees follow required safety measures, including, but not limited to, wearing proper PPE and safe machine operation.
• Execute: Flow & Pull:
  • Execution is defined as: “hitting the plan & following the process.”
  • Identify problems & respond with a high sense of urgency. This requires a constant focus on production.
  • Leveraging outside help when needed and escalating issues appropriately.
  • Track progress & share results regularly and effectively.
  • Address people’s performance problems in a constructive manner.
  • Plan staffing to ensure trained, qualified people are in the right positions.
  • Be proactive: Leverage the ECC process, Poke Yoke, etc., to ensure processes are 100% available and capable of making good parts every time.
• Ensure Process Discipline:
  • Determine the best way to do each job & work with Manufacturing Engineers to document (Cyclical Standardized Work including Job Breakdown Sheet) and ensure adherence.
  • Determine the best 5s – Sort, Straighten, Shine, Standardize & Sustain – by using shadow boxes, labeling etc. Always keep the department “Tour‑Ready.”
  • Adhere to Non‑Cyclical requirements (defined by Engineering)
  • Adhere to Quality Acceptance Standards (defined by our quality and sales departments)
  • Understand & ensure compliance with Quality System requirements.
  • Determine a training structure for new hires.
  • Creating and following Department Lead Standardized Work
• Create a Culture of Continuous Improvement:
  • Work with Manufacturing Engineers to track, analyze, and communicate performance trends using SQDC Board & Start‑up Meetings.
  • Connect cell performance to value stream & plant to help the team see the big picture.
  • Use scientific thinking to do controlled experiments on established standards with the help of Manufacturing Engineers and Pareto charts.
  • Use Pareto analysis to determine chronic issues to attack with problem‑solving.
  • Drive corrective action using problem‑solving tools (ex: 8‑Step Process)
  • Enable & empower the team to improve their standards (includes the use of Improvement Circle).
  • Ensure the team remains knowledgeable and aware by effectively communicating expectations.
  • Ensure a harassment‑free work environment.

Salary Range:

The starting range for this position is $21.00 to $25.00 per hour. Applicants with skills and experience above the starting requirements are encouraged to apply to this posting or contact us directly to discuss additional opportunities. Contact us at 507.533.4235 or [e-mail].