Lean Warehouse Production Lead - Metals

Ready to run a metals warehouse like a world-class operation?

If you thrive on turning complex operations into smooth, safe, and efficient systems, this role is for you. As the Lean Warehouse Production Lead – Metals, you’ll own safety, production flow, continuous improvement, quality, customer fulfillment, and cost stewardship for a high-performance warehouse team.

Why This Role Matters

• Create a safe, positive environment where people grow and morale stays high.
• Deliver reliable schedules, precise inventory, and on-time shipments customers can count on.
• Build a Lean, 5S culture that raises productivity and eliminates waste.
• Ensure ISO and customer quality requirements are met without compromise.

Your First 90 Days — Key Wins

• Establish daily safety routines (PPE checks, monthly inspections, corrective actions) and drive full participation in safety training and meetings.
• Stand up a KPI cadence (daily/weekly/monthly/quarterly/annual) with clear gap-closing actions.
• Map equipment utilization, confirm PM/inspection schedules, and start publishing daily equipment lead-times for Sales.
• Stabilize cycle counts and audit heat lot traceability, quantity accuracy, and location integrity.
• Launch a 5S refresh and tighten housekeeping standards inside and out.

What You’ll Own

• Safety & Compliance: Build a culture of safety awareness; maintain a safe, accident-free workplace; enforce PPE; ensure OSHA and EPA compliance.
• Production & Fulfillment: Hit daily production/shipping schedules; work closely with Sales and Production Planning to meet requirements and ship on time.
• Continuous Improvement: Partner with the CI Manager to embed CI thinking and Lean/5S practices at every level.
• Assets & Capacity: Maximize equipment utilization; ensure timely preventative maintenance and inspections; proactively flag bottlenecks and capacity constraints.
• Inventory & Scrap: Drive daily cycle counts; keep heat code traceability, quantities, and locations accurate; manage scrap in line with the scrap disposition policy.
• Quality & Packaging: Enforce ISO expectations; ensure packaging prevents damage and meets customer specifications; uphold company Quality Policy, Ethics Guidelines, Safety/Environmental Policies, and all procedures.
• People & Performance: Hire with HR partnership; set quantitative goals aligned to Operations, UPM, and ONI strategic objectives; conduct reviews; deliver coaching and development plans.
• Cost Control: Track and deliver cost savings/avoidance initiatives that reduce operational expenses year over year.
• Supplies & Readiness: Maintain processes to stock and replenish all operational and safety supplies.

How You’ll Measure Success

• On-time execution of production and shipment schedules.
• Visible KPI improvement across daily/weekly/monthly/quarterly/annual horizons.
• Zero compromise on safety, ISO, and customer quality compliance.
• Accurate inventory and heat lot traceability with controlled scrap.
• Documented year-over-year operational cost reductions.

Who You Are

• Coach and leader who lifts performance and morale.
• Clear communicator (written and verbal) across all levels.
• Relationship-builder with strong interpersonal skills.
• Decisive under pressure; organized problem-solver.
• Analytical thinker with strong interpretation skills.
• Team-oriented and results-driven.
• Fluent in Microsoft Office Suite.

Must-Have Experience

• Associate degree in a related discipline (or equivalent education/experience).
• Lean/Six Sigma Green Belt (or a clearly defined path to obtain it).
• 5+ years of proven, effective leadership.
• 5+ years in manufacturing, distribution, and/or warehouse operations.

Position Scope

Leadership – Direct/Indirect Reports varies by location.

Ethics & Culture

Model the UPM and ONI Code of Conduct and Ethics policy, and actively support company goals for safety, security, adherence to policies and procedures, OSHA/EPA compliance, and a Housekeeping 5S/Lean culture.