Production Associate

Production Associate

At Smithey Ironware, we're building the next great American cookware companyone rooted in craftsmanship, quality, and enduring design. As a privately owned and fast-growing brand, we take a long-term approach to growth and decision-making. We believe exceptional products come from thoughtful work, high standards, and people who care deeply about what they do. Our team is united by a commitment to excellence, continuous improvement, and creating cookware that will be trusted and enjoyed for generations to come.

Smithey Ironware is seeking a reliable, hands-on Production Associate to join our cast iron manufacturing team in North Charleston. This is not a siloed role - the Production Associate is a vital part of a collaborative floor where everyone pitches in across stations to keep cookware moving and meet daily production goals. The ideal candidate takes pride in well-crafted products, is comfortable working with machinery and hand tools, and brings a high level of attention to detail and a strong safety mindset to everything they do.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Cookware Preparation: Operate and maintain machinery used to pre-treat and clean cast iron cookware.
• Seasoning: Season cookware to Smithey quality standards, ensuring an even, consistent finish on every piece.
• Machining and Finishing: Perform vibe (vibratory) machining, grinding, and part touch-up using handheld power and pneumatic tools to bring castings to a smooth, finished surface.
• Riveting and Assembly: Rivet handles and complete lid assembly and other small-scale component assembly with a high level of detail and consistency.
• Quality Inspection: Inspect products to ensure they meet quality standards, and identify and label defects for touch-up, return, or disposal.
• Packaging and Order Fulfillment: Package finished cookware and organize product for shipment and local distribution.
• Logistics and Transfers: Support logistics by loading and unloading trucks and moving product between facilities (inter-facility transfers) as needed.
• Inventory: Conduct physical inventory counts of various goods throughout the shop and warehouse.
• Team Collaboration: Work closely with the production team to coordinate daily tasks, rotate across stations, assist colleagues during peak times, and maintain a positive, productive culture.
• Shop Maintenance: Share responsibility for maintaining a clean, safe, and organized work area, including light cleaning and equipment care.
• Safety and Compliance: Follow all Smithey safety policies and OSHA guidelines, including proper use of personal protective equipment and safe operation of equipment and machinery.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Desire to work quickly, safely, and efficiently, with a collaborative, "how can I help?" attitude.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail when machining, finishing, riveting, and assembling product.
• Ability to read and follow written and verbal instructions for processing parts, and to work independently.
• Manual dexterity and the ability to operate handheld power and pneumatic tools safely and accurately.
• Comfort working with machinery and adapting to changing priorities across production stations.
• Metalworking or workshop experience is a plus.
• Basic computer skills are a plus but not required.
• Valid driver's license required for occasional pick-up of parts and local delivery or transfer of product.

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Prior manufacturing, production, metalworking, or light-industrial experience preferred.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

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, with or without reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Frequently stand, walk, bend, stoop, reach, and use hands for repetitive motion (machining, finishing, and assembly) throughout an 8-hour shift.
• Regularly lift, carry, push, or pull 3050 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Manual dexterity sufficient to put parts and pieces together quickly and accurately.
• Visual acuity sufficient to inspect products, verify documentation, and read labels and records.
• Work in a manufacturing environment with variable temperatures and noise levels typical of production operations.
• Operate or work in proximity to machinery, hand and power tools, and material-handling equipment.

Selection Process and Assessments

As part of our selection process, candidates may be asked to complete the Predictive Index Behavioral Assessment. This brief, untimed assessment helps Smithey better understand a candidate's natural work style and how they may collaborate within our team. Assessment results are one of several factors considered alongside experience, qualifications, and interview performance, and are not used as a sole pass/fail screen.

Offers of employment may be contingent on successful completion of a pre-employment background check and, where applicable, a drug screen, consistent with Smithey policy and applicable law.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Smithey Ironware Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. All employment decisions - including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, discipline, and termination - are made on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

Reasonable Accommodation

Smithey Ironware is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and to applicants and employees who have sincerely held religious beliefs, observances, or practices. Applicants who require an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process may contact Human Resources at View email address on click.appcast.io.

Work Authorization

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Smithey Ironware participates in E-Verify, the federal program that electronically confirms employment eligibility, as required by South Carolina law.