Production Supervisor

Rheinmetall; Lansing (MI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

American Rheinmetall in Michigan's defense manufacturing facility seeks a Production Supervisor to oversee daily manufacturing operations, ensure schedules are met, and uphold the highest standards of quality, safety, and compliance.

You will lead a diverse team across welding, painting, and machining, coordinate resources, monitor progress, and drive lean initiatives to improve throughput and reduce waste.

Qualifications

• Leadership in manufacturing with 5+ years in a supervisory role.
• Ability to read blueprints, technical drawings, and military specifications.
• Proficiency in production planning, scheduling, and resource allocation.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to quality, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Willing to obtain overhead crane permit.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate daily production activities to meet delivery commitments.
• Balance workloads across departments to optimize efficiency.
• Monitor progress and adjust priorities to meet schedules.
• Ensure compliance with military/defense specifications and quality standards.
• Lead Lean initiatives to increase throughput and reduce waste.
• Develop and coach a diverse team of operators and leads.

Skills

Leadership

Blueprints reading

Production planning

Communication

Quality & safety

Overhead crane permit

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate/Bachelor preferred in Manufacturing

Job description

American Rheinmetall is a leader in the design, development, and production of advanced tracked and wheeled vehicles, vehicle systems, and critical components that support U.S. military modernization. Our expertise spans electronic and mechanical systems, fabricated structures, armored products, rubber solutions, and track systems, delivering reliable innovation to both defense and commercial markets. As part of the global Rheinmetall family, we combine proven heritage with forward-looking technology to provide solutions that defend and feed the world.

Job Summary

The Production Supervisor oversees daily manufacturing operations within a military defense manufacturing facility, ensuring production schedules are met while maintaining the highest standards of quality, safety, and compliance. This role ensures seamless workflow, efficient resource utilization, and adherence to strict defense manufacturing specifications.

Essential Functions

Production & Scheduling

• Coordinate daily production activities to meet or exceed delivery commitments.
• Balance workloads across departments to optimize efficiency and minimize downtime.
• Monitor progress against production schedules and adjust priorities as needed.

Quality & Compliance

• Ensure all work meets military/defense specifications, customer requirements, and applicable industry standards.
• Partner with Quality Assurance to address nonconformances and drive corrective actions.
• Maintain accurate production records and ensure documentation meets regulatory and customer audit requirements.

Safety & Environmental

• Promote and enforce strict adherence to safety policies, PPE requirements, and environmental regulations.
• Identify and mitigate workplace hazards; participate in safety audits and investigations.
• Lead process improvement initiatives to increase throughput, reduce waste, and enhance quality.
• support implementation of Lean manufacturing practices and operational excellence programs.
• Collaborate with engineering, maintenance, and planning to solve production challenges.

Supervisory Responsibility

• Direct, coach, and develop a diverse team of skilled operators, technicians, and leads across welding, paint, and machining departments.
• Assign work, monitor performance, and hold employees accountable to productivity, quality, and safety standards.
• Foster a positive, collaborative, and disciplined work environment.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (as demonstrated through experience, training and/or testing)

• Demonstrated leadership and team management skills.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, and military specifications.
• Proficiency in production planning, scheduling, and resource allocation.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to quality, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Must demonstrate the ability and willingness to obtain an overhead crane permit as part of job requirements.

Education

• High school diploma or GED required; Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, or related field preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of manufacturing experience in a leadership role, preferably in military defense or aerospace manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of welding, paint, and machining operations.

Must undergo and meet company standards for background check, employment verification, reference checks and controlled substance testing.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

With or without reasonable accommodations, requires the physical and mental capacity to perform effectively all essential functions. In addition to other demands, the demands of the job include:

• Primarily manufacturing floor environment with exposure to noise, dust, chemicals, and varying temperatures.
• May require standing, walking, bending, and lifting up to 50 lbs. for extended periods.
• Occasional overtime and weekend work to meet production demands.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

American Rheinmetall provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or marital status, in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.