Production Supervisor

Washington Mills; City of Tonawanda (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Medical and dental plans

Retirement plan

Life insurance

Paid vacation

Holiday time

Sick leave

Career development

Job summary

Washington Mills in Tonawanda, NY is seeking a hands-on Production Supervisor to lead daily operations across multiple work centers, ensuring quality and timely output. The role directs 15-20 hourly employees, collaborates with Plant Management, and focuses on continuous improvement and cost-efficient production.

Requirements include 5+ years in a related industry with an engineering background and a minimum of 5 years in supervision, plus strong communication and safety commitments.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years in a related industry; BS preferred.
• Educational background in engineering required.
• At least 5 years of supervisory experience with a strong safety focus.
• Strong oral, written, and interpersonal skills; able to lead cross-functional teams on continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Direct activities of 15-20 hourly unionized employees.
• Ensure production meets goals and standards for shift, week, month, and year.
• Respond quickly to quality issues in cooperation with QC.
• Complete daily, weekly, and monthly production/maintenance/safety reports.
• Communicate area capabilities, problems, and needs to Plant Management.
• Assist in preparing production schedules based on orders and forecasts.
• Maintain facility and equipment economically; submit improvement recommendations.
• Investigate employee complaints and provide written grievance responses.

Skills

Team leadership

Safety compliance

Communication

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Engineering background

Job description

Do you thrive in an employee focused team environment with a small company feel? Are you cool under pressure and excited by work that’s different every day? We are seeking a hands-on, team-oriented Production Supervisor to lead daily operations, ensure quality standards, and foster a collaborative work environment. If this sounds like you, then join us in Tonawanda, NY!

Who We Are

Washington Mills is built on values that matter. Founded more than 150 years ago, we have earned our reputation as one of the world’s most trusted and reliable producers of abrasive, ceramic and refractory grains and powders. Serving thousands of customers and offering the broadest selection of abrasive grain and specialty electro-fused minerals in the market today, we constantly pursue growth in our products, our approach, and our people. Our founding principles of honesty, integrity and reliability still guide our business today, and we are a proud community of hands-on problem solvers, committed to shaping the materials applications of the future. With global distribution and sites located throughout North American and Europe, Washington Mills opens the door to a world of opportunity, creativity, and challenge.

What You’ll Do

The Production Supervisor is responsible for directing production activities for multiple work centers and processes on an assigned shift and reports to the Plant Manager. This position will direct changes to production flow depending on current requirements and/or technical lab analysis. The Production Supervisor will direct operations activities in the department including crushing, grading, and shipping operations to ensure that manufacturing objectives are accomplished in a timely and cost-effective manner. This role requires a hands-on approach to effectively deal with problems and recognize opportunities for process improvement.

• Direct activities of 15-20 hourly unionized employees
• Ensure that production meets all established goals and production standards for the shift on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis
• Remain in close contact with quality control and must respond quickly to quality issues
• Complete daily, weekly, and monthly reports regarding production/maintenance, safety, manpower utilization, etc.
• Communicate effectively with Plant Management advising them of area capabilities, problems, and shortcomings affecting the execution of both short and long-term department objectives
• Assist in preparation of production schedules based on orders, marketing forecast, budgets, and programs
• Maintain the facility and equipment in good repair, as economically as possible, and submit recommendations with respect to improvements essential to effective operations
• Investigate employee complaints and grievances and is responsible for written grievance answers at the first step of the grievance procedure

What You’ll Need

To be successful in this position, you must:

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in a related industry, a bachelor of science degree is preferred
• An educational background in engineering is required
• At least 5 years of supervisory experience, with a strong commitment to safety required
• Possess effective oral, written, and interpersonal skills along with the ability to work in a highly organized manner with detail and accuracy
• Be able to lead, direct, and delegate to cross-functional team members assigned to continuous improvement projects utilizing strong interpersonal skills

Compensation

We proudly offer robust compensation and benefits packages, including:

• Competitive pay, commensurate with experience
• Heavily subsidized medical and dental plans
• Employer-sponsored retirement plan
• Company-paid life insurance
• Immediate paid vacation and generous holiday time
• Family-friendly sick and personal leave policies
• Opportunities for career development

Washington Mills aims to deliver a comprehensive compensation package. The compensation provided is the national pay range for this position of $65,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year depending on experience. However, the base pay offered may vary depending on geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors.

The job responsibilities described above indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not intended to include a comprehensive inventory of all duties and responsibilities for this job. Job duties and responsibilities are subject to change based on evolving business needs and conditions.

Washington Mills is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, citizenship status, military or veteran status, religion, creed, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition as defined by applicable law, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. We do not tolerate unlawful discrimination in any employment decisions, including recruiting, hiring, compensation, promotion, benefits, discipline, termination, job assignments or training.