Production Lead

Summary:

This role ensures consistent quality and throughput in the woodshop operations by providing technical leadership, workflow coordination, and first-part validation. The production lead is the on-shift point of contact who keeps machines cutting, operators aligned to standard work, and production objectives on track.

Essential Duties, Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

(Include the following; however, other duties may apply.)

Direction and Workflow Leadership

• Coordinate daily work, prioritize jobs, and sequence setups to meet schedule requirements.
• Reassign operators to balance load and prevent machine idle time.
• Deliver real-time instruction on proper machine operation, inspection steps, documentation, and safe practices.
• Ensure timely start/return from breaks, adherence to standard work, and completion of travelers and inspection sheets.
• Keep operators informed about changes to programs, tools, inspection steps, and safety notes.
• Maintain an area log of downtime, defects, rework, and escalations with timestamps and actions taken.
• Provide concise, actionable handoff notes (machine-by-machine status, open issues, tooling needs, quality flags).
• Demonstrate leadership and influence through clear communication, coaching, and calm problem-solving under pressure.
• Support overtime or weekend work as required to meet demand; ensure reliable shift handoff notes.

Advanced Setup, First-Part Approval, and Program Support

• Perform machine setups (workholding, tooling selection, probing cycles, offsets, program verification).
• Complete setup checklist and document FPA before releasing to operators; verify all critical dimensions and surface finish requirements.
• Operate any machine in area when required to maintain flow.
• Ensure operators follow changeover, inspection cadence, and documentation standards.
• Verify workholding, tool list, offsets, probe cycles, and inspection steps before approving first part.

Troubleshooting, Technical Problem Solving, and Process Discipline

• Diagnose machining issues (chatter, tool wear, deflection, tolerance drift, finish defects) and stabilize processes.
• Immediately stop out-of-spec production; contain suspect product; notify Quality.
• Identify cause (tool, fixture, program, material) and implement corrective actions, document countermeasures on traveler or issue log.
• Maintain organized tooling, fixtures, and work areas; verify that machines are “ready for use.”

Quality, Measurement, and Documentation

• Interpret complex prints (including GD&T) to verify conformity.
• Execute and verify in-process inspection using calipers, micrometers, height gauges, bore/pin gauges, indicators, and probing results.
• Ensure correct use of travelers, inspection sheets, ERP transactions, scrap tags, and traceability.
• Keep documentation accurate and up to date for any audit.

Continuous Improvement and Collaboration

• Identify patterns (tool life, setup duration, measurement variation) and propose corrective actions that improve efficiency, reduce scrap, shorten setups and drive measurable improvements in setup time, and process stability.
• Partner with Engineering, Maintenance, and Quality on trials and improvements; provide factual feedback and data.
• Contribute ≥1 documented improvement suggestion per quarter ; track implemented changes and impact.
• Drive measurable improvements in setup time, scrap reduction, and process stability.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

The Woodshop Production Lead directs workflow and enforces daily production expectations through guidance and real-time direction. They do not have disciplinary authority. Any performance or behavioral issues requiring formal corrective action must be escalated to the Production Manager. The Lead ensures operators remain on task, return promptly after breaks, follow standard work, complete required documentation, and maintain safe, professional work habits.

Qualifications:

To perform this role successfully, the individual must meet the requirements outlined below. Reasonable accommodation may be made for individuals with disabilities

Education and/or Experience:

High school diploma or GED required, plus at least five years of machining experience with independent setups. Technical coursework, certifications, or hands-on training are preferred. Experience mentoring operators is highly desirable.

Language Skills:

Ability to read and interpret job instructions, blueprints, and inspection documents in English, and communicate technical information clearly in writing and verbally.

Mathematical Skills:

Proficient in basic algebra, geometry, and metric/standard conversions, applying these to setups, offsets, tolerances, and inspection results.

Reasoning Ability:

Strong problem-solving skills to identify issues, analyze data, and implement corrective actions. Able to interpret GD&T prints and technical instructions and make sound decisions in routine and complex machining situations.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.