Heading Operator Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Cold Heading Operator (3rd Shift)

Location: Plymouth, MI

Industry: Manufacturing / Fasteners / Metal Forming

Job Category: Machine Operations / Skilled Trades

Job Type: Full-Time, Onsite.

Shift: 3rd shift, 10 PM–6 AM, Monday–Friday

About the Opportunity

A growing fastener manufacturer in Lansing, MI is looking for a motivated Cold Heading Operator to join its production team.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with strong mechanical aptitude who wants to build a long-term career in skilled manufacturing. Previous cold heading experience is preferred, but the company is willing to train the right candidate on SACMA cold heading equipment, quality inspection procedures, tooling, and production standards.

You’ll work closely with shift leadership and experienced operators while developing the skills needed to operate cold heading equipment independently. The strongest candidates will be dependable, mechanically inclined, comfortable learning through hands-on training, and motivated to take on greater technical responsibility over time.

For candidates who demonstrate strong performance and technical ability, there is an opportunity to advance into a fully trained Cold Heading Setup Operator position.

This role operates in an active manufacturing environment with regular exposure to production machinery, noise, oils, and varying temperatures. Candidates should be comfortable working in a fast-paced production setting, meeting production deadlines, and responding to changing manufacturing and customer demands.

What You’ll Do

• Operate SACMA cold heading machines used to manufacture fastener components
• Monitor equipment and production processes to maintain quality and productivity standards
• Perform quality inspections using calipers, micrometers, gauges, and other measuring equipment
• Read and interpret blueprints, drawings, specifications, and work instructions
• Change tooling and raw materials as required for production
• Clean and purge machines as needed
• Identify basic mechanical or production issues and assist with troubleshooting
• Follow established production procedures and company work methodologies
• Work closely with shift leaders and production personnel to maintain workflow and job continuity
• Maintain a clean and organized work area in accordance with 5S standards
• Follow all safety, quality, and production requirements
• Assist in other production areas when needed
• Perform additional duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Strong mechanical aptitude and willingness to learn industrial machinery
• Ability to read and comprehend blueprints, drawings, and production instructions
• Ability to use or learn calipers, micrometers, gauges, and other precision measuring equipment
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
• Dependable, organized, and self-motivated
• Ability to take direction from shift leadership and experienced operators
• Ability to work effectively as part of a production team
• Interest in developing a long-term skilled-trades or manufacturing career
• Good communication skills
• Reliable transportation
• Availability to work weekends when required
• Ability to work under production deadlines and changing manufacturing demands
• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with regular exposure to machinery, noise, oils, and varying temperatures
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
• Ability to regularly bend, stoop, climb, reach, stand, and move throughout the production area



Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience operating cold heading or header equipment
• Experience with SACMA machinery
• Previous machine operation, manufacturing, machining, or metal-forming experience
• Experience using calipers, micrometers, and gauges in a production environment
• Familiarity with SAP or similar manufacturing or ERP systems
• Experience performing machine setups, tooling changes, or raw material changes

Benefits

• Weekly pay
• BCBS medical coverage
• Enhanced retirement benefits, including a 401(k) contribution increasing from 3% to 5%
• Life insurance coverage
• 9 paid holidays
• 30-minute paid lunch
• Additional paid break time
• Front-loaded ESTA time for eligible employees