Manufacturing Production Supervisor

Position: Production Supervisor 

Experience Level: 8 to 12 years 

Employment Type: Full Time 

Pay Range: $70,000 to $85,000 annual salary  Performance Based Bonus 

Robert Thomas Iron Design (RTID) is a rapidly growing modern blacksmithing company - a place where craftspeople can be challenged and grow while building a great product and career. We are a diverse group of artists, designers, craftsmen, blacksmiths, metal fabricators, and repetitive manufacturing professionals with the common goal of developing and manufacturing products and projects that keep the spirit of blacksmithing and artisanal manufacturing alive through our mix of custom and production artisanal iron products. RTID produces unique cookware, furniture, and hardware pieces as well as one-of-a-kind architectural ironwork commissions for a variety of private, commercial, and civic clients (here we are at work: https://www.eater.com/22704339/carbon-steel-woks-pans-forged-blacksmithing). We employ a mix of traditional blacksmith techniques, modern machining, fabrication methods, and Lean Six Sigma manufacturing tools to create some of the most unique and beautiful products and ironwork projects in the country. At RTID, we strive to create an environment where craftsmen can pursue mastery of their craft at scale; a creative place to learn, grow, develop and build a fulfilling career. Our goal is to inspire craftsmanship in all we do. Located in the historic Charleston Naval Yard, we are committed to a high standard in everything we do and have fun doing it. Check us out at: www.robertthomasiron.com  

Work style and Benefits:  

• Standard production schedule is first shift only, Monday through Thursday (four 10-hour days – 7am-6pm with lunch from 12pm-1pm) with Fridays as potential manufacturing overflow capacity  

• Biannual Performance Based Bonus 

• Company subsidized Medical, Dental and Vision plans  

• 401k Retirement Plan with Company matching contributions  

• Company sponsored Short-Term Disability and Term Life Insurance  

• Annual company stipend for clothing and Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)  

• Six paid Holidays per year  

• Accrued Personal Time Off (PTO)  

• Weekly company paid lunch (typically on Wednesday) – affectionately known-as Meat Day, where our in-house Grill Master smokes the meats on-site all morning  

We are seeking a Production Supervisor who has the right attitude, aptitude, and experience to lead and manage a skilled team of Craftsmen to manufacture beautiful products - no Blacksmithing experience required. You will apply your repetitive manufacturing experience to effectively and efficiently manage the team that makes handmade artisanal carbon steel products from start to finish. Each of our products are formed and finished by hand with the assistance of task specific tooling and machinery – so each piece has a unique story to tell. As the Supervisor of this team, you'll ensure that the production team has the right tools, process, training, planning and daily supervision to meet growing daily, weekly and monthly production expectations.  

Experience, qualifications, and what will make you thrive at RTID:  

• Ability to manage people effectively and efficiently within a diverse production team and dynamic labor-intensive metalcraft manufacturing environment (10-30 hourly craftsmen) A high school diploma or equivalent  

• Minimum of 8 to 12 years of manufacturing experience in low-to-medium volume repetitive manufacturing environments with 4 to 6 years of direct supervision or management experience  

• Understanding of Lean Six Sigma and Lean manufacturing principles and application within the manufacturing environment.  Green Belt trained, Yellow Belt preferred.  

• Understanding and management of the 4 key manufacturing inputs: Man, Machine, Material, and Method 

• Understanding and management of RACI core values. 

• Mechanically inclined and adept at problem solving  

• Self-motivated, dependable and goal driven – will do attitude to meet production goals. 

• Ability to multitask and work with little to no supervision required. Excellent organizational skills and ability to schedule multiple activities and resources for efficient and effective utilization.  

• Attentive to detail, precise, and strive to perform at your best in everything you do  

• Familiarity with Materials Requirements Planning (MRP), Production Planning processes, Value Stream Mapping, and effective use of associated software tools  

• Ability to create, read, understand, and interpret production schedules accurately  

• Understanding of the use of small power tools like sander, grinders, drills and other metal fabrication and handling equipment in a production process Strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively interact with team members, clients and management  

• Demonstrated computer skills (Excel, data analysis, MS Teams, cloud-based Software tools) required.  

• Previous experience in metalwork, blacksmithing, machining, metal fabrication, manufacturing, assembly, welding or related fields is not required but is a plus  

Scope of Direct Responsibilities:  

• Hands-on daily direct management of RTID’s Production Team to produce artisan carbon steel products using repetitive manufacturing processes and traditional blacksmith techniques, to include the leadership of a daily safety huddle and end of shift huddle, and layered audits. 

• Staff and assign based on capabilities matrix and internal certification level, to include regular updates to capabilites matrix.  

• Manage natural variation in artisanal inputs, coordinate substitutes, and minimize waste/scrap, with a focus on visual standards, skill certification, and mistake-proofing appropriate to work standards. 

• Responsible for directing all shop floor activities from start to end of the shift to meet production cadence and production volumes: on-time/every-time, and the maintenance of records thereof. 

• Support and execute Weekly and Daily production schedules (Master Production Scheduling and Finite Production Planning). Complete work orders within process cycle and task times  

• Responsible for scheduling overtime as authorized. Review and approve time worked and coordinate vacation/time off schedules  

• Trouble-shoot and resolve root cause manufacturing operating issues. Identify out of balance operations. Make minor adjustments to line balancing for achievement of production output  

• Recommend and implement best practice techniques to improve productivity, increase efficiencies, and cut costs 

• Collaborate with Engineering/Quality on mistake-proofing manufacturing processes (poka-yoke).  

• Ensure that departmental equipment is operated in a safe and efficient manner and is proactively maintained in good working condition. Maintain production and warehouse areas in a clean and orderly condition (5s)  

• Manage raw material, Work-in-Process (WIP), and consumables inventory effectively to ensure product schedules are met consistently and predictably (MRP and Inventory Management), timely material availability is maintained, shortages are escalated, and FIFO is maintained.  

• Take ownership and accountability for the Key Operating Metrics 

• Own the quality of everything the team produces – ensure all work performed meets the product and process quality as designed  

• Interpret specifications and make judgments regarding the acceptability of in-process production  

• Ensure a safe workplace by developing effective safety policies and standards. Report and correct any unsafe operations. 

• Ensure PPE availability and adherence, ergonomic setups, and management of job safety analyses and lockout/tagout as needed.  

• Support training and development. Assist in the development, implementation and delivery of training programs; ensure that Craftsmen receive departmental orientation and necessary on-the-job training. Run layered on-the-job training (OJT), cross training, and certification check-offs. Manage and support inter-departmental flex work.   

• Ensure team members understand their job roles and responsibilities to achieve required production and quality requirements.  

• Develop and maintain work instructions and associated production processes  

• Responsible for motivating and mentoring personnel in a positive and effective manner. Ensure optimum performance and development of the full team. Maintaining engagement and morale within that team. 

• Set clear focused and achievable targets for individuals and the team. Frequently monitor and evaluate progress. Recognize superior performance and provide formal feedback to individuals who underperform  

• Communicate information (positive or negative) to appropriate management or personnel in a timely manner for problem solving and/or continuous improvement.  

• Perform other duties as assigned by RTID operations management  

Are you looking to be part of a growing local company? Does RTID sound like the environment for you to advance your skills and forge a long-term career? Apply to RTID today and add your story to the products we produce.  

Salary : $70,000 - $85,000