Direct-hire search, Princeton, NJ
Open roles Plant and production leadership

Production Supervisor

Grand Rapids, MI, onsite, $60k to $65k

Field
Plant and production leadership
Location
Grand Rapids, MI
Work model
Onsite
Level
Manager
Pay
$60k to $65k

What you would own

  • Provide visible, hands-on leadership for second-shift paint operations and ensure the safe, efficient execution of the production schedule.
  • Lead, coach, and hold accountable one Team Leader and approximately 25 production employees across loading, unloading, line support, inventory, material handling, and quality functions.
  • Assign labor and resources to meet daily production requirements, respond to staffing or equipment constraints, and maintain continuity throughout the shift.
  • Monitor paint-line performance, output, quality, scrap, rework, downtime, and material usage; take timely corrective action when targets are not achieved.
  • Promote a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with plant procedures, personal protective equipment requirements, chemical-handling standards, and applicable environmental and safety regulations.
  • Maintain consistent product appearance and coating quality by partnering with Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, and Production teams to resolve defects and process variation.
  • Support troubleshooting of the automated paint line, robotics, conveyors, sensors, controls, and related equipment, escalating technical issues appropriately to minimize downtime.
  • Ensure paint, components, packaging, and production materials are staged, tracked, and controlled accurately to support uninterrupted operations.
  • Conduct shift start-up meetings, communicate priorities and performance expectations, and provide an effective handover to the next shift and plant leadership.
  • Train and develop employees, reinforce standardized work, address performance concerns, and administer workplace policies consistently within a unionized environment.
  • Complete production reports, attendance records, quality documentation, and other required shift records accurately and on time.
  • Drive continuous improvement through Lean manufacturing, 5S, root-cause problem solving, and practical improvements to safety, quality, flow, and productivity.

What they are looking for

  • Previous supervisory or team leadership experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment, with responsibility for production employees and shift performance.
  • Strong floor leadership skills with the ability to organize people, set clear expectations, resolve issues, and maintain accountability in a fast-paced operation.
  • Automotive manufacturing experience is strongly preferred; experience with plastic injection molding, blow molding, painted plastic components, or similar production processes is highly desirable.
  • Knowledge of industrial painting, coatings, surface preparation, curing, finishing, or paint-quality requirements is preferred.
  • Experience working in a unionized manufacturing facility, including familiarity with collective bargaining agreements, work rules, attendance, and progressive discipline, is preferred.
  • Working knowledge of production metrics, quality controls, scrap reduction, downtime management, labor planning, and continuous-improvement methods.
  • Strong communication, coaching, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
  • Ability to work the full second-shift schedule and be present before shift start and after shift end as operational needs require.
  • High school diploma or equivalent required; an associate degree, technical qualification, or relevant leadership training is beneficial.

What they offer

  • Benefits begin on day one; 401(k) with a 6% employer match; three weeks of annual vacation from date of hire; and 14 paid holidays, strong career progression.

Everything above is the hiring company’s own words, with the company name taken out. The name, the team, and the interview steps come with the first conversation.

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