Sheet Metal Production Lead

ABH Manufacturing Inc.; Itasca (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

ABH Manufacturing is seeking a Sheet Metal Production Lead to coordinate daily activities across CNC, architectural pulls, and welding. You will assign tasks, monitor progress, and ensure on-time customer order fulfillment while fostering safety and teamwork.

You will mentor staff, promote lean manufacturing, and work with the Sheet Metal Supervisor to hit production goals. This role requires strong leadership and knowledge of sheet metal processes in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• 1–2 years in manufacturing or sheet metal environment.
• 1–2 years leading, coordinating, or mentoring employees preferred.
• Experience with sheet metal fabrication processes and equipment.
• Experience supporting production scheduling and workflow coordination.
• Strong communication and leadership abilities.
• Able to train employees and promote safe practices.
• Forklift certification (or ability to obtain).

Responsibilities

• Coordinate daily production activities within assigned departments (CNC, architectural pulls, welding).
• Assign daily work based on priorities and staffing levels.
• Monitor progress to meet customer orders on schedule.
• Promote accountability, teamwork, and adherence to standards.
• Support the Sheet Metal Supervisor in achieving goals.
• Train, coach, and mentor team members on processes, equipment, and safety.
• Cross-train employees to improve coverage.
• Provide daily guidance and feedback for employee development.
• Enforce safety policies and maintain organized work areas.
• Promote 5S and lean practices; identify productivity improvements.
• Resolve production bottlenecks and support scheduling.
• Ensure documentation and work instructions are followed.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Sheet metal processes

Production planning

Problem solving

Quality systems

5S

Safety

Multi-tasking

Collaboration

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

ERP software

Sheet metal machinery

Job description

The Sheet Metal Production Lead is responsible for coordinating and overseeing daily production activities within assigned Sheet Metal departments, including CNC, Architectural Pulls, and Welding. This position provides day-to-day leadership by assigning work, monitoring production performance, training team members, and ensuring production goals are achieved safely, efficiently, and on schedule.

The Sheet Metal Production Lead works closely with the Sheet Metal Supervisor and other cross-functional departments to maintain production flow, promote continuous improvement, and ensure quality standards are consistently met. This role serves as the primary point of contact for production team members and is responsible for fostering a safe, organized, and productive work environment. Location located in Itasca, IL.

Reporting Structure

Departments Supported:

• Stainless Steel Hinges
• Edge guard/ Laser Work
• Machine Shop
• Polishing

Main Responsibilities

• Coordinate and oversee daily production activities within assigned departments.
• Assign daily work responsibilities based on production priorities and staffing levels.
• Monitor production progress to ensure customer orders are completed accurately and on schedule.
• Promote accountability, teamwork, and adherence to production standards.
• Support the Sheet Metal Supervisor in achieving departmental production goals.

Team Development

• Train, coach, and mentor production team members on departmental processes, equipment, and safety procedures.
• Cross-train employees to improve departmental flexibility and production coverage.
• Provide daily guidance and constructive feedback to support employee development.
• Reinforce company policies, quality expectations, and standard operating procedures.

Production Operations

• Monitor workflow and identify production bottlenecks or inefficiencies.
• Coordinate with the Sheet Metal Supervisor and other departments to resolve production issues.
• Assist with production planning and scheduling to maintain efficient workflow.
• Request required tooling, materials, and consumables to support daily production activities.
• Ensure production documentation and work instructions are followed accurately.

Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Promote compliance with company quality standards and manufacturing procedures.
• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, reduce waste, and increase operational efficiency.
• Support Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Assist in resolving quality concerns and implementing corrective actions when needed.

Safety & Organization

• Enforce company safety policies and safe operating procedures.
• Maintain clean, organized, and efficient work areas.
• Promote 5S workplace organization and good housekeeping practices.
• Ensure equipment and workstations remain safe and production-ready.

Skills

• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Knowledge of sheet metal manufacturing processes and equipment.
• Production planning and workflow coordination.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Working knowledge of quality systems and manufacturing standards.
• Commitment to workplace safety and continuous improvement.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with production, engineering, inventory, and management teams.

Experience

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• 1–2 years of experience in a manufacturing or sheet metal production environment.
• 1–2 years of experience leading, coordinating, or mentoring employees in a production setting preferred.
• Working knowledge of sheet metal fabrication processes and manufacturing equipment.
• Experience supporting production scheduling and workflow coordination.
• Strong communication and leadership abilities.
• Ability to train employees and promote safe work practices.
• Forklift certification or the ability to obtain and maintain certification.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience operating sheet metal fabrication machinery.
• Experience with ERP or manufacturing software.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, 5S, or Continuous Improvement principles.
• Experience working in a high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with quality management systems and production performance metrics.

Physical & Work Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and perform repetitive physical tasks throughout the workday.
• Manual dexterity required for handling materials and operating manufacturing equipment.
• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with varying temperatures, machinery, and production noise.
• Standard schedule is 6:00 AM – 2:30 PM, with flexibility to work overtime or adjusted hours based on production demands.
• Forklift certification (ABH) required or the ability to obtain certification.

The Sheet Metal Production Lead is expected to lead by example by promoting safety, quality, teamwork, and operational excellence. This role should demonstrate initiative, maintain a positive attitude, support continuous improvement efforts, and serve as a trusted resource for production team members. Success in this position is measured by the ability to develop employees, maintain efficient production flow, and consistently achieve departmental production goals while supporting the overall objectives of the Sheet Metal department.

Compensation:

At ABH Manufacturing, we believe in offering competitive compensation to motivate and retain our employees. More information will be given throughout the process.

ABH Manufacturing provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, ABH Manufacturing complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.