Supervisor, Gas Strut Machining

The Supervisor, Gas Strut Machining role is a working supervisory role responsible for the day-to-day leadership and performance of Hyson’s Swiss lathe and precision component manufacturing area. This role is accountable for both hands-on production execution and the operational oversight of the machining cell — balancing direct technical contribution with people leadership, scheduling, and continuous improvement. Reporting directly to the General Manager, this Supervisor is the front-line owner of quality, output, and team performance in one of Hyson’s new and growing manufacturing areas.

Core Responsibilities:

Production Leadership & Scheduling

• Lead and coordinate daily production activities across all Swiss lathes and related component manufacturing equipment to meet schedule and customer commitments.
• Own the machine scheduling process for the gas strut machining cell — sequence jobs, manage changeovers, and optimize machine utilization to maximize productivity and minimize downtime.
• Monitor production output against schedule; identify and resolve capacity constraints, scheduling conflicts, and bottlenecks in real time.
• Coordinate with the planning function to align the production schedule with material availability, customer priorities, and capacity.

Technical Operations

• Perform hands-on machine setup, operation, and first-article verification on Swiss lathes and CNC turning equipment as production demands require.
• Troubleshoot machine malfunctions, tooling issues, and process deviations; escalate for maintenance or engineering support when required.
• Maintain tooling inventory and changeover readiness; ensure tooling condition is monitored and replaced proactively to prevent quality escapes.
• Support programming and process optimization efforts in collaboration with engineering to improve cycle times and part quality.

Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Ensure all components produced in the machining cell meet print specifications and quality standards; enforce in-process inspection routines.
• Use scrap, rework, and first-pass yield data to identify recurring quality issues and drive root cause corrective action.
• Champion 5S standards throughout the machining area; maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment.
• Identify and lead continuous improvement initiatives that improve throughput, reduce waste, and enhance process reliability.

Team Leadership & Development

• Provide day-to-day direction, coaching, and performance feedback to machining operators; set clear expectations and hold the team accountable.
• Own the hiring and onboarding of new team members and cross-training of all team members to build skill depth and operational flexibility.
• Foster a team culture built on accountability, safety, and pride in craftsmanship.
• Communicate production status, issues, and priorities clearly to the GM and cross-functional partners.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Adhere to the Company Code of Ethics and Values.

Competencies:

• Technical Mastery: Deep fluency in Swiss lathe and CNC turning operations; credible with the team because of what they know, not just their title.
• Production Ownership: Takes accountability for output, quality, and schedule; doesn’t wait to be told there’s a problem.
• People Leadership: Directs and develops a small team with clarity, consistency, and respect.
• Scheduling & Prioritization: Thinks ahead, sequences work effectively, and adjusts when conditions change.
• Problem Solving: Diagnoses root causes quickly and drives corrective action rather than workarounds.
• Communication: Clearly conveys status, issues, and priorities to operators and leadership alike.
• Continuous Improvement Mindset: Consistently looks for better ways to run the cell; not satisfied with the status quo.

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of hands-on CNC machining experience, with demonstrated proficiency in Swiss lathe operation and setup.
• Proven ability to lead or coordinate a small production team in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Experience owning or directly managing a production schedule at the cell or department level.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T callouts, and work instructions.
• Proficiency with standard measurement tools including micrometers, calipers, and gauges.
• Strong troubleshooting skills for machine, tooling, and process-related issues.
• Commitment to safety, quality standards, and adherence to established processes.
• Experience with sliding head and/or fixed head Swiss lathes (e.g., Citizen, Tornos, Star).
• Working knowledge of Swiss lathe programming and troubleshooting, including the ability to write, edit or modify part programs and diagnose machine-specific issues independently.
• Familiarity with ERP or MES systems for work order management, production tracking, or scheduling.
• Experience in precision components manufacturing for industrial, automotive, or aerospace applications preferred.
• Exposure to Lean Manufacturing principles and structured problem-solving methods (e.g., 5-Why, A3, 8D) a plus.

Education Requirements and Preferences:

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Trade school certification, apprenticeship completion, or equivalent technical training preferred.
• Associate’s degree or coursework in Manufacturing Technology, Machining, or a related field is a plus but not required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The characteristics listed below are representative of the physical demands required by an individual to successfully perform the essential duties of this position.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk and sit; use hands to handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee is frequently required to talk and/or hear.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The characteristics listed below are representative of the work environment typically encountered by an individual while performing the essential duties of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is able to perform functions that require manual and finger dexterity.