Kennedy Valve-Finishing Front Line Supervisor

Kennedy Valve•Elmira, NY

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Finishing Supervisor is a frontline manufacturing leader responsible for the safe, efficient, and disciplined execution of production operations within a union manufacturing environment. This position provides direct leadership, accountability, and operational oversight for assigned production areas while ensuring adherence to production schedules, quality standards, labor expectations, and safety requirements. The Supervisor is expected to maintain a strong daily presence on the production floor and serve as the primary owner of execution within their assigned area. This role is responsible for driving schedule attainment, labor efficiency, escalation discipline, operational stability, and workforce accountability through active floor leadership, structured communication, and visible performance management. The Finishing Supervisor leads and holds accountable assigned Team Members while establishing a culture of safety ownership, operational discipline, teamwork, and continuous improvement. This role is expected to provide clear direction, maintain consistent follow-up, reinforce standards, and address performance concerns in a timely and professional manner.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required
Minimum of 3 years in a leadership or supervisory role, preferably in a manufacturing environment
Strong understanding of machining, mechanical assembly, and production workflows
Familiarity with lean manufacturing, 5S, and continuous improvement principles
Working knowledge of safety standards and OSHA regulations in an industrial setting
Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, blueprints, and work instructions
Proficient in using computer applications including MS Office and production tracking systems (ERP/MES)
Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and manage hourly production Team Members
Effective problem-solving and decision-making skills in a fast-paced environment
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Ability to frequently stand, walk, and move throughout the production floor for extended periods of time
Must be able to occasionally bend, stoop, reach, and climb stairs or ladders as required
Ability to lift, carry, and move items up to 50 pounds occasionally
Must be able to tolerate working in a manufacturing environment, including exposure to noise, dust, grease, heat, and varying temperatures
Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety glasses, hearing protection, steel-toed shoes, and other gear as required by the work area
Visual acuity to read blueprints, reports, and computer screens and to inspect parts and materials
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in a loud production environment

Nice To Haves

associate or bachelor’s degree in manufacturing, industrial technology, or related field preferred
Experience working in a union environment (preferred, if applicable)
Ability to work flexible shifts, including evenings or weekends, as needed

Responsibilities

Coordinate staffing assignments and labor balancing to support production requirements and operational efficiency
Ensure production boards, operational metrics, and shift performance information remain accurate and visibly maintained throughout the shift
Maintain strong floor communication with Scheduling, Maintenance, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, and Supply Chain teams to support uninterrupted operational flow
Drive accountability to standard work, operating procedures, production discipline, and escalation expectations
Lead daily production execution for assigned finishing operations and ensure adherence to production schedules, priorities, and delivery requirements
Maintain active and visible leadership presence on the production floor throughout the shift
Drive schedule attainment, labor utilization, throughput, and operational stability within assigned areas
Monitor production flow and proactively identify, escalate, and resolve operational constraints impacting safety, quality, delivery, or productivity
Lead daily startup meetings and structured floor communication processes to align Team Members to daily priorities, safety expectations, and operational goals
Ensure timely escalation of equipment, staffing, quality, material, or process issues that threaten schedule execution
Develop and execute recovery plans when production falls behind schedule
Enforce all company safety policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements
Lead daily safety huddles, safety conversations, and area safety audits
Maintain a clean, organized, and safe production environment
Ensure all quality standards, inspection requirements, and process controls are consistently followed
Partner with Quality and Manufacturing Engineering to contain, investigate, and resolve defects, scrap, rework, or process-related quality concerns
Review and address scrap, downtime, and operational losses daily to identify trends and corrective actions
Hold Team Members accountable to safety expectations, quality standards, and compliance requirements
Directly lead and manage unionized hourly Team Members within assigned operations
Establish clear daily expectations for safety, quality, productivity, and operational performance
Provide consistent floor leadership, communication, coaching, and follow-up to Team Members throughout the shift
Hold Team Members accountable to work standards, safety expectations, operational discipline, and production performance requirements
Administer attendance tracking, corrective action, documentation, and disciplinary procedures in accordance with company policy and labor agreements
Support workforce flexibility through cross-training and skill development initiatives
Promote a culture of accountability, urgency, teamwork, continuous improvement, and operational discipline
Recognize performance gaps and take timely action to correct behaviors, reinforce expectations, and improve team execution
Support and participate in continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, throughput, labor efficiency, and waste reduction
Identify recurring operational issues and partner with leadership and support functions to implement corrective actions
Utilize operational metrics and visual management systems to monitor performance and drive accountability
Participate in audits, inspections, and operational reviews as required
Maintain accurate production, downtime, staffing, and operational records