Production Supervisor

True North Consultants, Inc.; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with 6% employer match

Three weeks annual vacation

14 paid holidays

Job summary

True North Consultants, Inc. seeks a hands-on Production Supervisor for our client’s second-shift paint operations in Grand Rapids, MI.

You will lead one Team Leader and ~25 employees, ensuring safety, quality, and on-time production across loading, line support, inventory, and material handling. Responsibilities include coaching, scheduling labor, monitoring paint-line performance, addressing downtime, and driving continuous improvement with Lean, 5S, and root-cause problem solving in a

Qualifications

• Supervision of second-shift paint operations in a high-volume auto environment.
• Experience in automotive manufacturing and unionized facilities preferred.
• Knowledge of paint, finishing, coatings, or related quality requirements is beneficial.
• Ability to meet safety, quality, and productivity targets.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on leadership for second-shift paint operations and ensure safe, efficient execution of the production schedule.
• Lead, coach and hold accountable one Team Leader and ~25 employees across loading, unloading, line support, inventory, material handling, and quality functions.
• Assign labor and resources to meet daily production requirements and maintain shift continuity.
• Monitor paint-line performance, quality, scrap, rework, downtime, and material usage; take corrective action as needed.
• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with procedures, PPE, chemical handling and regulatory standards.
• Maintain product appearance and coating quality by partnering with Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, and Production.
• Support troubleshooting of the automated paint line, robotics, conveyors, sensors, and related equipment to minimize downtime.
• Ensure materials are staged, tracked, and controlled to support operations.
• Conduct shift start-up meetings and provide effective handovers to the next shift.
• Train and develop employees and reinforce standardized work within a unionized environment.
• Complete production reports, attendance records, quality docs, and shift records; drive continuous improvement via Lean, 5S, and root-cause problem solving.

Skills

Leadership

Team coaching

Communication

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

High school diploma

Associate degree or technical qualification (beneficial)

Tools

Robotics

PLC‑controlled equipment

Paint line equipment

Conveyors

Job description

Our client is a top-tier automotive supplier specializing in high-quality plastic-molded components and painted assemblies for many of the world’s leading vehicle manufacturers and automotive brands. The company combines advanced molding, finishing, and highly automated paint-line capabilities to deliver consistent quality in a high-volume production environment.

The Production Supervisor will lead second-shift operations within the paint operations department, overseeing one Team Leader and approximately 25 employees across loading, unloading, line support, inventory control, material handling, and quality auditing. This is a hands‑on floor leadership role focused on safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and employee engagement within a unionized automotive manufacturing facility.

Responsibilities

• Provide visible, hands‑on leadership for second-shift paint operations and ensure the safe, efficient execution of the production schedule.
• Lead, coach, and hold accountable one Team Leader and approximately 25 production employees across loading, unloading, line support, inventory, material handling, and quality functions.
• Assign labor and resources to meet daily production requirements, respond to staffing or equipment constraints, and maintain continuity throughout the shift.
• Monitor paint-line performance, output, quality, scrap, rework, downtime, and material usage; take timely corrective action when targets are not achieved.
• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with plant procedures, personal protective equipment requirements, chemical‑handling standards, and applicable environmental and safety regulations.
• Maintain consistent product appearance and coating quality by partnering with Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, and Production teams to resolve defects and process variation.
• Support troubleshooting of the automated paint line, robotics, conveyors, sensors, controls, and related equipment, escalating technical issues appropriately to minimize downtime.
• Ensure paint, components, packaging, and production materials are staged, tracked, and controlled accurately to support uninterrupted operations.
• Conduct shift start‑up meetings, communicate priorities and performance expectations, and provide an effective handover to the next shift and plant leadership.
• Train and develop employees, reinforce standardized work, address performance concerns, and administer workplace policies consistently within a unionized environment.
• Complete production reports, attendance records, quality documentation, and other required shift records accurately and on time.
  Drive continuous improvement through Lean manufacturing, 5S, root‑cause problem solving, and practical improvements to safety, quality, flow, and productivity.

Requirements

• Previous supervisory or team leadership experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment, with responsibility for production employees and shift performance.
• Strong floor leadership skills with the ability to organize people, set clear expectations, resolve issues, and maintain accountability in a fast‑paced operation.
• Automotive manufacturing experience is strongly preferred; experience with plastic injection molding, blow molding, painted plastic components, or similar production processes is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of industrial painting, coatings, surface preparation, curing, finishing, or paint‑quality requirements is preferred.
• Experience working in a unionized manufacturing facility, including familiarity with collective bargaining agreements, work rules, attendance, and progressive discipline, is preferred.
• Exposure to highly automated manufacturing lines, robotics, PLC-controlled equipment, conveyors, sensors, and production automation is desirable.
• Working knowledge of production metrics, quality controls, scrap reduction, downtime management, labor planning, and continuous‑improvement methods.
• Strong communication, coaching, problem‑solving, and cross‑functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to work the full second‑shift schedule and be present before shift start and after shift end as operational needs require.
• High school diploma or equivalent required; an associate degree, technical qualification, or relevant leadership training is beneficial.

Position Details

Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan

Schedule: Second shift, Monday through Friday; production hours are approximately 2:20 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. The Supervisor must be available before and after the shift as needed.

Salary: Approximately $60,000 - 65,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications.

Overtime: Straight‑time overtime compensation applies after 45 hours worked.

Benefits: Benefits begin on day one; 401(k) with a 6% employer match; three weeks of annual vacation from date of hire; and 14 paid holidays, strong career progression.