Processing Lead - Working Lead (Internal Applicants Only) in Plymouth

We believe in fostering growth from within and are committed to providing our team members with opportunities for career advancement. As such, we are prioritising internal applicants for this role before considering external candidates. We encourage our employees to take the next step in their career with us!

Department: Material Processing & Machine Shop

Reports To: Processing Foreman

Supervises: Processing Personnel & Machinists

Compensation Range: Wage based on experience and quality of work

The Processing Lead is a hands-on working leadership position responsible for maintaining production flow within the processing department and machine shop. This role actively operates department equipment while coordinating the daily activities of processing personnel and machinists. The Processing Lead ensures parts are processed accurately, production schedules are maintained, and materials move efficiently between processing, machining, staging, and fabrication. In addition to performing production work, the Lead provides shop floor direction, performs quality checks, assists with training, and tracks completed parts in Tekla PowerFab GO. The position serves as the primary shop floor leader during daily operations, supporting the Processing Foreman and ensuring department productivity and safety standards are maintained.

Key Responsibilities

• Hands-On Production Work
  • Actively operate department equipment including: Burn tables, Plate rolls, Press brake, Band saws, Material handling equipment.
  • Assist machinists with material preparation or setup when required.
  • Perform cutting, rolling, press brake and sawing operations as needed to maintain production flow.
  • Support loading, unloading, and staging of materials and processed parts.
• Production Flow Coordination
  • Coordinate daily production activities across processing equipment and the machine shop.
  • Assign work tasks to processing personnel and machinists based on department priorities.
  • Monitor workflow and adjust tasks to prevent bottlenecks or idle time.
  • Ensure materials and parts move efficiently between processing, machining, and fabrication staging areas.
• Shop Floor Supervision
  • Provide direct shop floor leadership to processing employees and machinists.
  • Ensure employees remain productive and follow department procedures.
  • Address minor personnel issues and escalate concerns to the Processing Foreman when necessary.
  • Communicate production progress and delays.
• Quality Control
  • Perform routine dimensional and visual inspections of processed and machined parts.
  • Verify parts match fabrication drawings and CNC files.
  • Ensure parts are properly labeled and staged.
  • Prevent mixing of material grades or thicknesses.
• Production Tracking & Documentation
  • Track completed parts and production progress using Tekla PowerFab GO.
  • Ensure accurate part counts and job completion updates.
  • Communicate production status and job progress to the Processing Foreman.
• Training & Mentorship
  • Train new employees on equipment operation and department procedures.
  • Demonstrate safe and efficient machine operation.
  • Assist machinists or operators in learning new equipment or processes.
• Safety & Housekeeping
  • Enforce PPE requirements and safe work practices.
  • Monitor equipment operation for safety compliance.
  • Maintain clean and organized processing and machine shop areas.
  • Identify and report safety hazards or equipment issues.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years steel fabrication, plate processing, or machining experience.
• Strong hands-on experience with burn tables, saws, plate rolls, or similar equipment.
• Ability to read fabrication drawings and machining prints.
• Leadership ability with strong communication skills.
• Experience using Tekla PowerFab preferred.

Essential Job Functions (Fabrication Shop)

The following duties are considered essential to production roles at the Fabrication Shop:

Physical Demands

• Frequently lift, carry, push, and pull materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Perform physically demanding tasks for extended periods (8–12+ hour shifts).
• Stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl for prolonged periods.
• Reach overhead and work with arms extended.
• Climb ladders, work in manlifts up to 25 feet above ground.
• Work in confined spaces and at elevated heights when required.

Work Environment

• Exposure to dust, noise, and industrial hazards.
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is required at all times.

Schedule Requirements

• Ability to work extended hours, including overtime, weekends, or swing shifts as needed to meet project deadlines.

This position requires the ability to perform all essential job functions safely and effectively, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) – accrues starting day one!
• Holiday Pay.
• Company-Paid Life Insurance.
• Short- & Long-Term Disability Insurance.
• 401(k) with Company Match.
• Health Savings Account (HSA).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).