Production Lead

Job Title: Production Lead – HVAC Manufacturing

Department: Operations / Production

Reports To: Production Manager / Operations Director

Job Summary

The Production Lead drives daily manufacturing operations on the shop floor, ensuring the safe, efficient, and high-quality assembly of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) units and components. This position balances hands-on technical support with team coordination, guiding line operators, enforcing quality standards, and maintaining production schedules.

Key Responsibilities

• Line Supervision & Flow: Lead daily shift huddles, assign work stations, and manage workflow across sheet metal fabrication, coil assembly, wiring, and unit testing lines to hit daily output goals.

• Safety & Compliance: Enforce OSHA standards, proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) usage, and ergonomic guidelines. Maintain clean, hazard-free work zones using 5S principles.

• Quality Assurance: Ensure all assemblies comply with engineered drawings, UL standards, and internal quality metrics. Conduct first-piece inspections and lead immediate root-cause fixes when defects occur.

• Technical Support: Troubleshoot line bottlenecks, minor mechanical or electrical sub-assembly issues, and equipment faults alongside maintenance teams.

• Training & Onboarding: Train new operators on assembly blueprints, wiring schematics, hand/power tool operation, and safe refrigerant/brazing techniques.

• Continuous Improvement: Partner with Manufacturing Engineers to identify process waste, reduce scrap rates, and implement Lean/Kaizen practices.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Experience: 3+ years in industrial manufacturing, with 1+ years in a team lead or supervisory role. Direct experience in HVAC, sheet metal, or electrical assembly is strongly preferred.

• Education: High School Diploma or GED required. Vocational certification or associate degree in HVAC, industrial systems, or manufacturing engineering is a plus.

• Technical Skills: Proficiency in reading complex engineering blueprints, schematics, and wiring diagrams. Hands-on experience with sheet metal fabrication tools, electrical wiring, or refrigeration loop assembly.

• Certifications: EPA Universal Certification (Section 608) preferred or required within 90 days of hire. Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or OSHA certifications are a benefit.

• Physical Demands: Ability to stand and walk on the shop floor for 8+ hours, lift up to 50 lbs, and operate in a fast-paced industrial environment.

Core Competencies

• Strong interpersonal communication and conflict-resolution skills.

• Basic computer literacy (ERP/MES systems for tracking production, inventory, and labor).

• Solid problem-solving ability under tight production deadlines.