Final Assembly Supervisor

Manufacturing Essex Junction, VT

The Final Assembly Supervisor is responsible for overseeing the final assembly processes, ensuring the timely and complete delivery of finished goods to the shipping department. This role requires leadership of both 1st and 2nd shifts, five days a week, to meet production goals. The supervisor is tasked with improving both quality and production output by implementing and sustaining lean manufacturing principles such as standard work, process improvement, 5S, PDCA, and SMED. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional communication skills, a collaborative mindset, and keen attention to detail.
 
 
SPECIFIC ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Key Responsibilities: 
  • Oversee and coordinate the daily operations of the final assembly department across 1st and 2nd shifts.
  • Ensure finished goods are delivered to the shipping department on time and in full, meeting both quality and quantity targets.
  • Drive improvements in production output while maintaining or exceeding quality standards.
  • Monitor and manage production schedules to align resources with demand and address any bottlenecks.
  • Champion lean manufacturing principles to improve assembly processes, reduce waste, and enhance overall efficiency.
  • Implement and sustain lean tools such as:
    • Standard Work: Establish clear, repeatable, and efficient work processes.
    • 5S (Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain): Maintain an organized, clean, and safe work environment.
    • PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Act): Apply continuous improvement cycles to enhance production and quality performance.
    • SMED (Single-Minute Exchange of Dies): Optimize setup and changeover times to increase production flexibility.
  • Identify and eliminate non-value-added activities and drive a culture of continuous improvement.
  • Lead, train, and motivate the assembly team across both shifts to achieve production goals and maintain high-quality standards.
  • Promote a collaborative work environment that encourages teamwork and open communication.
  • Conduct regular team meetings to communicate goals, track progress, and address any challenges.
  • Provide performance feedback and conduct regular performance reviews to support the development of team members.
  • Collaborate closely with other departments, including supply chain, quality, manufacturing, and shipping to ensure smooth workflow and problem resolution.
  • Coordinate with engineering and continuous improvement teams to implement process changes and improvements.
  • Track and report key performance indicators (KPIs), such as production output, quality defects, on-time delivery, and setup/changeover times.
  • Provide regular updates to the operations manager on department performance, improvement initiatives, and any issues impacting production.
Key Attributes: 
  • Exceptional Communication Skills: Ability to communicate effectively with team members, management, and other departments to drive alignment and understanding.
  • Collaborative Mindset: Works well with cross-functional teams and fosters a cooperative and team-oriented environment within the assembly department.
  • Attention to Detail: Strong focus on quality, process improvements, and meeting production deadlines with precision and accuracy.
  • Lean Manufacturing Advocate: Demonstrated success in applying lean principles to drive continuous improvement in production processes.
 
 
Knowledge, Skill & Experience Requirements
  • 8-10 years’ experience in product fulfillment and assembly processes.
  • Strong working knowledge of ERP system and supporting processes for assembly operations.
  • Strong working knowledge of lean tools and concepts in an assembly environment.
  • Advanced computer skills (MS Windows, MS Office and Excel) required.
  • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
  • Highly motivated problem solver with a drive for excellence.
  • Excellent organizational, time management, project management and problem-solving skills required.
  • Must have strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Must have strong interpersonal relationship skills and strong team building skills.
  • Ability to interact with cross functional departments with successful results.
  • Customer service mindset required.
  • Military experience is a plus.  
  • U.S. Government authorization required.
Work environment (include physical requirements)
  • Office and manufacturing environments, some repetitive motion required.
  • Frequent standing required.
  • No travel required.