Metalwork Lead

Job Title: Metalwork Lead

Location: Avoca, IA

Salary Compensation: $26–36/hr ($55–70k)

Work Location: On-Site

Job Type: Direct Hire

Industry: Manufacturing

Company Size: $100-$700M annual revenue

Keys to Job: Associate degree or equivalent; manufacturing and supervisory experience preferred; strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills; Large ERP system and production scheduling experience preferred. Ideal for a hands-on leader who inspires trust, values teamwork, and drives safety, quality, and continuous improvement in welding/fabrication.

We are seeking a hands-on Metalwork Lead to lead manufacturing workers in safely and efficiently building and shipping quality products that meet customer expectations. This role provides leadership, guidance, and direction to achieve business objectives while promoting safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

What You’ll Do:

• Supervise and coordinate daily manufacturing operations in the welding and fabrication area
• Determine work procedures, prepare work schedules, and expedite workflow
• Provide leadership, guidance, and direction while maintaining a safe and productive work environment
• Ensure production schedules, quality standards, and customer shipment dates are met
• Promote Lean Manufacturing, 5S, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Coordinate labor requirements, support cross-training, and develop employees
• Uphold Quality and EHS policies, ISO Quality System standards, and core values
• Act as a working supervisor when needed and assist team members with daily duties
• Work with planners to create schedule timelines and departmental workloads
• Develop process plans covering people, resources, equipment, and floor space
• Plan material flow and physical layout to complete work efficiently and on schedule
• Recommend and implement improvements to production methods, equipment, and product quality
• Coordinate labor demand, including overtime, to meet changing schedule needs
• Analyze and resolve work problems and assist workers in problem-solving
• Verify accuracy of engineering, sales, and manufacturing inputs for quality compliance
• Communicate product or design changes to ensure consistent future output
• Initiate and sustain 5S, Lean, and other continuous improvement programs
• Drive cross-training to build workforce versatility and an agile work center
• Conduct monthly department safety inspections and submit accident/near-miss reports
• Issue timely performance evaluations and disciplinary actions when needed
• Interview, hire, train, plan/assign work, appraise performance, reward, and discipline employees (supervise 0–20 team members)

What We’re Looking For:

• Associate degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Manufacturing and supervisory experience preferred
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Large ERP system and production scheduling experience preferred
• Hands-on leader who inspires trust and respect, values teamwork, and is committed to safety, quality, and continuous improvement