What are the responsibilities and job description for the Manufacturing Supervisor position at UDC USA Inc?
UDC USA Inc., is looking for a hands-on Manufacturing Supervisor to lead day-to-day production of pyrotechnic products and components. This is a day shift position.
You’ll supervise operators/technicians, enforce safety and regulatory compliance, own and continuously improve Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and drive on-time, high-quality manufacturing in a tightly controlled, safety-first environment.
*NOTE* Due to the nature of our business, if you have a felony conviction on your record that resulted in a sentence of more than 12 months (suspended or served), you are ineligible for interview.
This role works with energetic materials/pyrotechnic formulations and regulated components. Successful candidates must be able to follow strict safety, documentation, and regulatory controls.
Key responsibilities
- Supervise, coach, and schedule production staff (operators, technicians, leads) to meet daily/weekly production targets.
- Ensure safe handling, storage, and transport of pyrotechnic materials and components in accordance with company policies and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
- Develop, write, review, and maintain clear, auditable Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), work instructions, checklists, and job aids for manufacturing operations.
- Maintain document control and change-control procedures; ensure SOPs are versioned, approved, and available at point-of-use.
- Train and assess staff competency on SOPs, safety procedures, and equipment operations; maintain training records.
- Coordinate production planning with materials, quality, and maintenance to ensure materials availability, equipment readiness, and on-time delivery.
- Enforce quality standards (in-process checks, first-article inspections, sampling, Non-conforming Materials) and work with Quality team to resolve nonconformance's.
- Monitor production metrics — yield, scrap, throughput, cycle time — and implement corrective actions to improve performance.
- Lead or participate in root cause investigations and CAPA for production incidents or quality escapes.
- Conduct regular safety inspections, toolbox talks, and emergency response drills; investigate and report incidents.
- Maintain accurate production, inventory and regulatory records (lot traceability, DOD paperwork when applicable).
- Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives (5S, Kaizen, Lean) focused on safety, quality, and productivity.
- Liaise with Engineering/Process Development to implement new processes or product changes and update SOPs accordingly.
- Support development of critical KPI’s with tracking and reporting of results to the program core team.
Required skills & qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent required
- 3 years supervisory experience in a regulated manufacturing environment (ideally energetic materials, pyrotechnics, explosives, propellants, or similar hazardous materials).
- Proven experience writing, publishing, and implementing SOPs, work instructions, and training materials.
- Strong working knowledge of safety and regulatory frameworks applicable to pyrotechnic/energetic materials (OSHA, NFPA, ATF/state licensing where applicable) — or demonstrated ability to learn and apply them.
- Familiarity with document-control systems (electronic or paper-based), and traceability requirements.
- Demonstrated problem-solving skills (root cause analysis, CAPA) and experience with continuous improvement methods.
- Excellent communication skills — able to write clear procedures and train cross-functional teams.
- Strong attention to detail and disciplined approach to safety and quality.
- Proficient with MS Office; experience with ERP/MRP systems and quality management software is a plus.
- Must be able to obtain and maintain any required regulatory clearances, licenses, or certifications.
Preferred
- Direct experience in pyrotechnics, explosives, propellants, or defense/aviation energetic manufacturing.
- Certification in safety, hazardous materials handling, or SOP/document control (e.g., OSHA 30, internal auditor training).
- Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, or similar continuous improvement certifications.
- Experience creating visual SOPs and training media (photos, flowcharts, short videos).
Physical demands & working conditions
- Work in manufacturing environment with safety PPE required (safety glasses, flame-resistant clothing, gloves, respirators as required).
- May include standing for long periods, walking, climbing stairs, and lifting up to 50 lbs intermittently.
- Shift work, including nights or weekends, may be required depending on production schedule.
- Access restricted areas with controlled entry and compliance checks.
Performance metrics / KPIs
- Safety: Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR), near-miss reporting and corrective actions.
- Quality: First-pass yield, number of nonconformances per 1,000 units.
- Delivery: On-time delivery to schedule.
- Cost: Execute budget and maintain program bid direct labor hours.
- Process: SOP completion/updates, training completion rate, implementation of corrective actions.
- Productivity: Throughput, Hours per Unit and scrap reduction targets.
What we offer
- Competitive pay and benefits (medical, dental, retirement plan).
- Paid time off and paid safety/skills training.
- Career growth and advancement opportunities in manufacturing and compliance.
- A safety-first culture with strong emphasis on training and continuous improvement.
Compliance & legal
This position requires adherence to all company safety policies and applicable federal/state/local regulations for handling, storage, transport, and manufacture of pyrotechnic and energetic materials. Employment may be conditional on background checks, drug screening, and the ability to obtain and maintain any required licenses or clearances.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $50,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) 4% Match
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- Production Supervisor: 3 years (Required)
Work Location: In person
Salary : $50,000 - $70,000