Heavy Metals Forge Production Lead

Why this role matters

In a high-output, heavy manufacturing environment, reliable forging leadership keeps people safe, equipment productive, and parts within spec. Your work ensures the 2nd shift hits every commitment to customers and the day team.

Your impact

• Own 2nd-shift forging operations and coordinate production across people, machines, and material flow.
• Develop operators through coaching, feedback, and structured training.
• Deliver to plan: production volume, quality standards, and delivery timing.
• Monitor open-die and related forging activities; intervene early to prevent defects and delays.
• Partner with Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, and Operations to drive quick, lasting fixes.
• Champion safety: enforce PPE, procedures, and plant policies without exception.
• Lead shift start-up meetings and communicate priorities, changes, and risks.
• Track attendance, performance, and productivity; keep documentation accurate and current.
• Troubleshoot production and equipment issues methodically.
• Advance continuous improvement—safety, first-pass yield, throughput, and scrap reduction.
• Ensure strict adherence to work instructions, process controls, and quality requirements.
• Support onboarding and upskilling for new and experienced team members.

Core requirements

• 3+ years of leadership/supervision in manufacturing.
• Experience in forging, steel/metals, stamping, machining, foundry, or other heavy manufacturing settings.
• Direct forging background strongly preferred.
• Strong grasp of industrial safety and production systems.
• Track record of managing teams and holding standards.
• Ability to diagnose issues and collaborate with maintenance and technical functions.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational discipline.
• Comfort in a heavy industrial plant environment.
• Willing and able to work 2nd shift.

Preferred background

• Open-die or closed-die forging expertise.
• Hands-on with forging presses and heavy industrial equipment.
• Work on aerospace or high-strength metal components.
• Lean/continuous improvement experience.
• Quality improvement and scrap minimization initiatives.
• Employee training and capability development.
• OSHA and plant safety program involvement.