About the position
Managed through the Riverbend Industries portfolio, Phoenix Manufacturing (PMI) is a leading manufacturer and provider of evaporative cooling systems for residential, commercial and industrial applications. PMI prides itself on the quality and innovation that go into every product. Riverbend Industries (RBI) is a private family-owned portfolio holding company headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The portfolio is primarily comprised of several small, independently operated, previously family-run businesses in the light manufacturing and distribution sectors. The portfolio is a long-term holder of its investments/assets and plans to grow both organically and through acquisitions into the near future. The Production Support Supervisor is responsible for coordinating the work of employees within the assigned department(s). This role oversees daily production activities, ensuring all operations are conducted in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local safety, fire, and environmental regulations. Key responsibilities include preparing work schedules, assigning tasks, and monitoring output across all stages of the production process. The Supervisor ensures adherence to established policies and procedures, while promoting a safe, efficient, and productive work environment. This position requires strong leadership, the ability to work independently, and a commitment to continuous improvement. The ideal candidate will foster a positive work culture, encourage open communication, and lead by example. The Supervisor will also be responsible for communicating directions and work instructions to a team engaged in closely related operations, ensuring clarity and consistency in execution. Maintaining a safe and efficient workplace is a top priority in this role.
Responsibilities
- Promotes a safety-first culture and positive employee relations.
- Leads production teams and supports operational strategy execution.
- Evaluates team capabilities, addresses skill gaps, and allocates resources effectively.
- Conducts performance reviews and develop improvement plans.
- Coaches team members through training, feedback, and delegation.
- Ensures role-specific and cross-training is completed.
- Fosters a collaborative, inclusive, and respectful work environment.
- Manages performance and conduct issues as needed.
- Participates in recruitment and interview processes.
- Applies working knowledge of production processes to resolve area-specific issues.
- Provides clear direction on tasks, machine operations, setups, and layouts.
- Operates and maintains equipment as needed.
- Sets and monitors daily productivity goals.
- Optimizes use of personnel, tools, equipment, and materials.
- Expedite orders to meet deadlines while upholding quality and safety standards.
- Supports fixture setup and problem-solving; submits work orders as required.
- Ensure consistent shift operations aligned with procedures.
- Operates powered industrial trucks (PIT) as needed.
- Applies Lean principles to enhance productivity, efficiency, and quality.
- Drives process improvements and ensure adherence to work instructions.
- Supports engineering changes, production trials, and pilot builds.
- Coordinates with support teams to align production planning and resources.
- Ensures compliance with safety regulations and company policies.
- Participates in Near Miss reporting, safety audits, and 5S audits.
- Maintains 5S standards and promotes a clean, organized workspace.
- Leads investigations and reports for incidents, accidents, and non-conformities.
- Manages Work Order (WO) transactions in Epicor (ERP system) and trains team members on system use.
- Utilizes Microsoft Office tools for reporting, communication, and documentation.
- Maintains daily production records and posts KPIs.
- Submits attendance reports as needed.
- Verifies accurate inventory transactions and proper material handling.
- Prepares and presents weekly, monthly, and annual performance reports.
- Monitors KPIs to ensure alignment with performance targets.
- Coordinate with maintenance to ensure the equipment is properly maintained and operational.
- Engage with other departments and contribute to daily team meetings.
- Oversee proper material handling and return procedures.
- Reports equipment issues and ensures timely resolution.
Requirements
- Associate degree or equivalent technical training required.
- Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience in a manufacturing or fast-paced work environment.
- Prior experience in high-volume manufacturing; HVAC industry experience preferred.
- Ability to read and interpret blueprints and drawings.
- Proficient in reading and interpreting blueprints and technical drawings.
- Strong understanding of metallic structures and carbon fiber composites.
- Familiarity with machines, work functions, and operations relevant to assigned tasks.
- Knowledge of current trade practices, materials, and tooling.
- Comprehensive understanding of production assembly operations, including health and safety standards and quality control (e.g., Lock Out/Tag Out procedures).
- Demonstrated experience implementing Lean Manufacturing tools; Six Sigma certification preferred.
- Skilled in continuous improvement methodologies such as TPM, 5S, and Kaizen events.
- Proven ability to lead by example and foster a collaborative team environment.
- Experience in developing team leaders and coordinators to support daily operations and long-term improvements.
- Capable of organizing and maintaining employee training matrices and planning for future training needs.
- Ability to understand and convey supervisory directions effectively.
- Proficient in reading and interpreting safety rules, operating instructions, and procedure manuals.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
- Capable of writing routine reports and correspondence.
- Competent in basic arithmetic operations including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals.
- Able to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed written or oral instructions and resolve problems in standardized situations.
- Regularly able to lift/move objects weighing 20–25 lbs.; occasionally lift/move items over 100 lbs. using appropriate equipment or team assistance.
- Able to work in typical warehouse conditions, including exposure to varying temperatures.
- A willingness to work flexible hours, especially during peak production periods, to meet departmental goals.
Nice-to-haves
- Six Sigma certification preferred.
