Press Tech Production Supervisor

Description

Job Title: Press Tech Production Supervisor
Salary: $71,000 - $80,000
Work location: Ripon, Wisconsin, United States
Work set up: Full-time/Onsite 
Job Description:
As a Press Tech Group Leader, you will be essential in ensuring efficiency, productivity, and continuous improvement of stamping operations.

Responsibilities:
• Technical Oversight: Optimize stamping production processes to align with company standards and customer requirements. Apply tool and die knowledge to troubleshoot issues and implement effective solutions. Collaborate with engineering and design teams to enhance dies.
• Leadership & Development: Foster a culture of servant leadership by empowering, guiding, and mentoring team members. Lead by example, demonstrating professionalism and commitment to excellence. Conduct regular team meetings and one-on-one sessions to provide feedback, set goals, and encourage professional growth.
• Process Optimization: Identify opportunities for process improvement and lead initiatives to enhance efficiency and reduce waste. Implement lean manufacturing principles, with a specific focus on SMED, to achieve quicker and more efficient die changeovers. Monitor and analyze production metrics to drive data-informed decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Preventative Maintenance: Develop, implement, and oversee a comprehensive preventive maintenance program for all stamping equipment and tooling. Ensure maintenance activities are documented and tracked to prevent unplanned downtime and extend equipment life. Collaborate with maintenance teams to facilitate training and ensure adherence to the maintenance schedule.
• SMED Implementation: Lead efforts to reduce die changeover times, applying SMED techniques to streamline and standardize the process. Train and support shop floor personnel in SMED best practices to ensure consistent and successful application. Evaluate and adjust approaches based on metrics and feedback to continuously improve changeover efficiency.
• Operational Excellence: Ensure compliance with safety standards and promote a safe working environment. Implement best practices in manufacturing processes to enhance efficiency and reduce waste.
• Collaboration & Communication: Coordinate with cross-functional teams, including safety, quality, tool room, and maintenance to streamline operations. Communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels to ensure alignment and achieve operational goals.
• Facilitate problem-solving and team decision-making to address challenges and seize opportunities. • Interface with technical staff to ensure proper support.
• Establish annual goals and objectives that support the attainment of operating metrics. 
• Work to continuously improve processes and reduce inventories and work in progress. Serve as the first point of contact for employees regarding employee relations issues. Interface with Union Stewards in contract and discipline issues. Other duties as assigned.
• Project Management: Lead projects from conception through implementation, ensuring timelines, budgets, and quality standards are met.
• Develop project plans, allocate resources, and coordinate tasks across teams.
Qualifications:
• Knowledge/Experience/Education
• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field; relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Minimum of 5 years' experience in a stamping or manufacturing environment with a focus on leadership and process optimization.
• Strong knowledge of tool and die principles and practices.
• Proven experience in implementing process optimization initiatives, with specific expertise in SMED.
• Proven servant leadership skills with experience nurturing and developing high-performance teams.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and projects effectively.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• A minimum of one to three years of experience in a medium/high volume, fast-paced manufacturing environment is preferred.
Skills and Abilities:
• Self-driven with proven leadership capabilities, including coaching, mentoring, and supervision within a team environment.
• Availability and flexibility to work a schedule that supports team members across multiple shifts and days of the week (including weekends).
• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel).
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to encourage proactive thinking and solution creation within the team.

Physical Requirements:
• Stooping, bending, standing for long periods, manual dexterity, and the ability to lift up to 50 lbs without assistance.
• Manufacturing environment with exposure to typical production conditions.
• Ability to adapt to shift timing as needed.