Assembly Supervisor

Assembly SupervisorWe are seeking an experienced Assembly Supervisor to lead a team in a low-volume, high-mix electrical and mechanical assembly environment. This role is responsible for the daily direction of assembly operations, ensuring safety, quality, and delivery targets are met while driving continuous improvement through lean manufacturing principles. The ideal candidate has hands-on experience balancing frequent product changeovers, complex build configurations, and shifting priorities — while still delivering consistent throughput and quality.Key ResponsibilitiesSupervise, coach, and develop a team of assembly technicians across multiple product lines and build configurationsCreate and maintain training matrices; ensure operators are cross-trained to support high-mix production flexibilityConduct daily shift start-up meetings, communicate priorities, and hold team accountable to safety, quality, and productivity standardsManage timekeeping, performance reviews, disciplinary actions, and staffing/scheduling needsProduction & Material FlowOwn daily production schedules across a mix of low-volume, custom, and configurable builds; adjust staffing and sequencing to meet changing demandDrive material flow improvements between receiving, kitting, and the assembly line to minimize downtime, WIP, and staging bottlenecksPartner with Materials/Planning to ensure kit accuracy, on-time component availability, and appropriate inventory levels (min/max, kanban, point-of-use) for high-mix SKUsUtilize ERP/MRP systems (SAP S/4HANA preferred) for order status, inventory transactions, work order closure, and production reportingLine Balancing & Process ImprovementPerform time studies and line balancing activities to optimize labor allocation across variable product mixesIdentify and eliminate bottlenecks, non-value-added steps, and process variation using lean tools (5S, value stream mapping, standard work, kaizen events)Lead or support setup/changeover time reduction (SMED) initiatives to improve flexibility across frequent product/model changesCollaborate with Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering on layout changes, workstation design, and process documentationQuality & Defect ReductionMonitor first-pass yield, defect rates, and rework/scrap metrics; lead root cause analysis (5 Why, fishbone, 8D) for recurring issuesPartner with Quality Engineering to implement corrective/preventive actions (CAPA) and error-proofing (poka-yoke) at the workstation levelEnsure adherence to work instructions, build travelers, and engineering specifications for electrical and mechanical sub-assembliesChampion a culture of built-in quality, encouraging operators to stop and escalate issues rather than pass on defectsProblem Solving & Continuous ImprovementUse structured problem-solving methods (PDCA, A3, DMAIC) to address daily production issues and drive sustainable corrective actionsTrack and report key performance indicators (safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity) and lead daily/weekly tier meetingsActively participate in and lead continuous improvement (kaizen) initiatives, targeting productivity, flow, and cost reductionSupport new product introduction (NPI) and engineering change implementation on the assembly floorRequired Qualifications5+ years of manufacturing supervisory experience, with direct experience in low-volume, high-mix assembly environmentsDemonstrated experience with electrical and mechanical assembly processes (wiring, harnessing, fastening, sub-assembly integration, etc.)Hands-on knowledge of lean manufacturing principles: 5S, standard work, kaizen, value stream mapping, SMED, poka-yokeProven track record in line balancing, material flow optimization, and inventory/kitting managementExperience leading root cause analysis and defect/scrap reduction initiativesStrong people leadership skills: training and development, performance management, and conflict resolutionWorking knowledge of ERP/MRP systems (SAP S/4HANA or similar) for production and inventory transactionsAbility to read and interpret engineering drawings, wiring diagrams, BOMs, and work instructionsStrong communication skills across shifts and cross-functional teams (Engineering, Quality, Materials, Planning)Preferred QualificationsBachelor's degree in Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering, Operations Management, or related field (or equivalent experience)Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certificationExperience in automotive, industrial equipment, or similarly regulated/high-mix manufacturing sectorExperience with SAP S/4HANA Production, Quality, and Materials modulesFamiliarity with IPC or J-STD standards for electrical/wire harness assembly (if applicable)Physical Requirements / Work EnvironmentAbility to work on a manufacturing floor, including standing/walking for extended periodsAbility to lift up to 35 lbs occasionallyFlexibility to support multiple shifts or occasional off-shift coverage as production needs requireThe Coats Company is an equal opportunity employer that evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), age, marital status, disability, veteran status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and other characteristics protected by law.