Production Associate Jobs in Central, SC (NOW HIRING)

Manufacturing Supervisor II (Senior level)

Summary/Purpose

The Manufacturing Supervisor II (Senior) is responsible for leading daily manufacturing operations within a high-volume Tier 1 automotive production environment. This role provides leadership to Team Leaders, Technicians, production associates, and other shift supervision while driving performance in safety, quality, delivery, cost, and employee engagement. The Manufacturing Supervisor II (Senior) is accountable for achieving production objectives, developing manufacturing talent, supporting new program launches, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement consistent with lean manufacturing principles and customer requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

Manufacturing Operations Leadership

• Direct manufacturing operations across multiple production lines, cells, or value streams to achieve safety, quality, delivery, and productivity objectives.
• Drive daily execution of production plans to meet customer requirements and production schedules.
• Monitor manufacturing performance and implement corrective actions to address operational issues.
• Coordinate manpower allocation and production resources to support changing customer demands and production priorities.
• Ensure compliance with standard work, operating procedures, and company policies.
• Facilitate effective communication across shifts and within the manufacturing organization.
• Support change initiatives that improve manufacturing performance and employee engagement.

People Leadership and Development

• Lead and develop Team Leaders, Technicians, and production associates to achieve operational, quality, safety, and attendance expectations.
• Establish clear performance expectations and provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and development opportunities.
• Conduct performance evaluations and administer corrective action when necessary.
• Identify training and development needs and support employee growth and succession planning initiatives.
• Lead a manufacturing organization of up to 50-100 employees through Team Leaders and frontline leadership personnel.
• Promote employee engagement, teamwork, accountability, and a positive work environment.

Safety, Quality, and Continuous Improvement

• Promote a culture of safety and ensure compliance with all safety, environmental, and 5S requirements.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action activities for quality, safety, delivery, and equipment-related issues utilizing structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives through Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen activities, waste reduction efforts, and standardized work practices.
• Monitor and improve key performance indicators including safety, first-pass yield, scrap, labor efficiency, downtime, productivity, and delivery performance.
• Ensure compliance with customer requirements, IATF 16949, ISO 14001, and company quality standards.
• Lead Layered Process Audits (LPAs), process audits, and operational assessments to ensure process discipline and sustainability.

Resource and Business Management

• Manage labor utilization, staffing levels, and overtime requirements to support production demands while controlling labor costs.
• Support annual operating plans and departmental objectives while maintaining accountability for operational commitments, as well as capital planning activities, equipment installations and process improvement projects.
• Monitor workforce performance and adjust staffing strategies to maximize efficiency and productivity.

Program Launch and Customer Support

• Support APQP activities, production readiness reviews, launch planning, and successful implementation of new products and processes.
• Participate in new launch programs, manufacturing readiness activities, customer audits, and operational readiness initiatives as required.
• Coordinate with support departments to resolve production-related issues and ensure successful execution of manufacturing objectives.
• Other duties as assigned by management.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required.

• Strong leadership experience within a high-volume automotive or advanced manufacturing environment with a high level of professionalism, accountability and employee engagement.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multiple production lines, manufacturing cells, or value streams while achieving operational objectives.
• Thorough understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles, continuous improvement methodologies, and waste elimination practices.
• Experience utilizing structured problem-solving methodologies such as 8D, A3, 5 Why Analysis, Fishbone Analysis, and PFMEA.
• Working knowledge of APQP, production launch processes, and automotive customer requirements.
• Working knowledge of IATF 16949, ISO 14001, and quality management systems.
• Strong understanding of production control processes and mass-production manufacturing environments.
• General understanding of highly automated manufacturing equipment and manufacturing systems.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, process documentation, mechanical blueprints, and electrical diagrams.
• Experience supporting machining operations, tooling applications, and manufacturing process controls preferred.
• Strong understanding of labor planning, workforce utilization, scheduling, and overtime management.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret production data and drive corrective actions.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with support departments to achieve manufacturing objectives and manage multiple priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to make sound decisions under pressure and respond effectively to emergency situations.

Education and Experience

• Associate degree and/or minimum of seven (7) years of experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment, preferably automotive.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressive leadership experience supervising manufacturing operations.
• Tier 1 automotive manufacturing experience strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting APQP activities, new product launches, Lean Manufacturing, and continuous improvement initiatives preferred.

Work Environment/Physical Demands

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work shift as assigned and overtime is required, as needed.
• Will be required to do the following throughout the shift: standing, bending, pushing, pulling, reaching above and below shoulders, moving left to right repetitively, grasping, and fine finger dexterity. 
• May be required to lift during shift up to 40 lbs.
• Specific vision abilities required with this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• The performance of this position requires exposure to manufacturing areas which require the use of personal protective equipment such as steel-toed shoes, safety glasses with side shields.