The Switchgear Lead oversees the operations of the Switchgear team, ensuring the efficient and effective production of fabricated components or products. This role involves supervising fabrication technicians, coordinating workflow, and optimizing production processes to meet quality standards, deadlines, and budgetary targets. The Switchgear Lead also collaborates with cross-functional teams to support continuous improvement initiatives and drive departmental performance.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supervise and mentor technicians, providing guidance, training, and performance feedback to support their professional development and ensure adherence to safety protocols and production standards.
• Coordinate daily activities, assign tasks, and monitor progress to optimize workflow and achieve production goals, ensuring that resources are effectively utilized and production schedules are met.
• Plan and prioritize production schedules, job assignments, and resource allocation based on customer orders, inventory levels, and equipment availability, collaborating with production planners and scheduling teams as needed.
• Coordinate with purchasing, inventory control, and logistics departments to ensure timely procurement of materials and components required for operations.
• Establish and enforce quality control processes, inspection procedures, and quality standards to ensure that fabricated components or products meet specifications, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations.
• Conduct regular audits and inspections of work-in-progress and finished goods, identifying opportunities for process improvements, corrective actions, or rework as needed.
• Identify opportunities for process optimization, efficiency improvements, and cost reduction initiatives within the department, implementing Lean manufacturing principles, Six Sigma methodologies, or other continuous improvement tools and techniques.
• Analyze production metrics, performance indicators, and key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor departmental performance, track progress against targets, and drive performance improvements.
• Safety and Compliance:
  • Ensure compliance with occupational health and safety regulations, environmental standards, and company policies, conducting safety inspections, hazard assessments, and incident investigations to maintain a safe working environment.
  • Promote a culture of safety awareness, hazard identification, and risk mitigation among fabrication department staff, encouraging active participation in safety training programs and initiatives.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsible for managing staff according to company policies.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate teams, foster collaboration, and drive performance to achieve production goals and objectives.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact effectively with employees, peers, and senior management, as well as external stakeholders and customers.
• Problem-solving abilities and analytical skills, with the capability to identify root causes of production issues, implement corrective actions, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Knowledge of processes, techniques, and equipment, as well as familiarity with quality management systems, production planning software, and ERP systems.
• Understanding of safety regulations, compliance requirements, and best practices for manufacturing operations, as well as experience implementing safety programs and initiatives in a production environment.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS REQUIRED

• Proficiency in interpreting engineering drawings, blueprints, or technical specifications related to processes and products.
• Ability to analyze production data, performance metrics, and KPIs to assess departmental performance, identify trends, and implement corrective actions or process improvements.
• Leadership abilities, including delegation, conflict resolution, decision-making, and team-building skills, as well as the ability to adapt to changing priorities and manage competing demands in a dynamic manufacturing environment.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Experience in fabrication, manufacturing, or a related industry, with supervisory or leadership experience in a production environment.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing Management, or a related field preferred but not required.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Relevant certifications in manufacturing management, Lean Six Sigma, or occupational health and safety may be advantageous.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Occasional reaching/working overhead, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling
• Frequent walking
• Continuous standing and repetitive hand motion
• Lifting requirements include occasional lifting up to 50 pounds, frequent lifting of up to 50 pounds and continuous lifting of up to 15 pounds.