Supervisor, Gas Strut Machining

The Supervisor, Gas Strut Machining role is a working supervisory role responsible for the day-to-day leadership and performance of Hyson’s Swiss lathe and precision component manufacturing area. This role is accountable for both hands-on production execution and the operational oversight of the machining cell — balancing direct technical contribution with people leadership, scheduling, and continuous improvement. Reporting directly to the General Manager, this Supervisor is the front-line owner of quality, output, and team performance in one of Hyson’s new and growing manufacturing areas.

Core Responsibilities:

Production Leadership & Scheduling

• Lead and coordinate daily production activities across all Swiss lathes and related component manufacturing equipment to meet schedule and customer commitments.
• Own the machine scheduling process for the gas strut machining cell — sequence jobs, manage changeovers, and optimize machine utilization to maximize productivity and minimize downtime.
• Monitor production output against schedule; identify and resolve capacity constraints, scheduling conflicts, and bottlenecks in real time.
• Coordinate with the planning function to align the production schedule with material availability, customer priorities, and capacity.

Technical Operations

• Perform hands-on machine setup, operation, and first-article verification on Swiss lathes and CNC turning equipment as production demands require.
• Troubleshoot machine malfunctions, tooling issues, and process deviations; escalate for maintenance or engineering support when required.
• Maintain tooling inventory and changeover readiness; ensure tooling condition is monitored and replaced proactively to prevent quality escapes.
• Support programming and process optimization efforts in collaboration with engineering to improve cycle times and part quality.

Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Ensure all components produced in the machining cell meet print specifications and quality standards; enforce in-process inspection routines.
• Use scrap, rework, and first-pass yield data to identify recurring quality issues and drive root cause corrective action.
• Champion 5S standards throughout the machining area; maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment.
• Identify and lead continuous improvement initiatives that improve throughput, reduce waste, and enhance process reliability.

Team Leadership & Development

• Provide day-to-day direction, coaching, and performance feedback to machining operators; set clear expectations and hold the team accountable.
• Own the hiring and onboarding of new team members and cross-training of all team members to build skill depth and operational flexibility.
• Foster a team culture built on accountability, safety, and pride in craftsmanship.
• Communicate production status, issues, and priorities clearly to the GM and cross-functional partners.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Adhere to the Company Code of Ethics and Values.

Competencies:

• Technical Mastery: Deep fluency in Swiss lathe and CNC turning operations; credible with the team because of what they know, not just their title.
• Production Ownership: Takes accountability for output, quality, and schedule; doesn’t wait to be told there’s a problem.
• People Leadership: Directs and develops a small team with clarity, consistency, and respect.
• Scheduling & Prioritization: Thinks ahead, sequences work effectively, and adjusts when conditions change.
• Problem Solving: Diagnoses root causes quickly and drives corrective action rather than workarounds.
• Communication: Clearly conveys status, issues, and priorities to operators and leadership alike.
• Continuous Improvement Mindset: Consistently looks for better ways to run the cell; not satisfied with the status quo.

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of hands-on CNC machining experience, with demonstrated proficiency in Swiss lathe operation and setup.
• Proven ability to lead or coordinate a small production team in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Experience owning or directly managing a production schedule at the cell or department level.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T callouts, and work instructions.
• Proficiency with standard measurement tools including micrometers, calipers, and gauges.
• Strong troubleshooting skills for machine, tooling, and process-related issues.
• Commitment to safety, quality standards, and adherence to established processes.
• Experience with sliding head and/or fixed head Swiss lathes (e.g., Citizen, Tornos, Star).
• Working knowledge of Swiss lathe programming and troubleshooting, including the ability to write, edit or modify part programs and diagnose machine-specific issues independently.
• Familiarity with ERP or MES systems for work order management, production tracking, or scheduling.
• Experience in precision components manufacturing for industrial, automotive, or aerospace applications preferred.
• Exposure to Lean Manufacturing principles and structured problem-solving methods (e.g., 5-Why, A3, 8D) a plus.

Education Requirements and Preferences:

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Trade school certification, apprenticeship completion, or equivalent technical training preferred.
• Associate’s degree or coursework in Manufacturing Technology, Machining, or a related field is a plus but not required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk and sit; use hands to handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee is frequently required to talk and/or hear.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is able to perform functions that require manual and finger dexterity.