Production Lead

Position Summary 

The Production Lead is responsible for supervising and coordinating all daily production activities across all six tilting tables and the associated fabrication crews at York Precast. Acting as the primary first-line supervisor on the plant floor, this role ensures that forming, reinforcing, casting, finishing, and panel storage operations are completed safely, efficiently, and to the required quality standards.

The Production Lead works closely with the Precast Operations Manager to meet production schedules, develops the fabrication crew, and serves as the key point of contact between the production floor and plant management.

Key Responsibilities

Production Supervision & Scheduling:

• Oversee production across all six tilting tables, coordinating fabrication crew assignments, form setup, reinforcing steel placement, casting, stripping, finishing, and panel storage.

• Monitor table utilization, labour productivity, and daily output against targets; adjust crew assignments and workflow in real time to maintain throughput.

• Communicate production updates, bottlenecks, and scheduling concerns to the Precast Operations Manager promptly.

• Ensure production drawings and shop instructions are followed accurately by all crew members.

• Coordinate with the batch plant to confirm concrete availability aligns with casting schedules; flag timing conflicts or material needs to the Precast Operations Manager.

Team Leadership & Development:

• Lead and develop the Precast Fabricators assigned to the production floor, setting clear daily expectations and holding the crew accountable for safety, quality, and output.

• Train and develop fabricators on production processes, equipment operation, and quality standards; actively grow crew capability and competency over time.

• Assign tasks and cross-train crew members to build team flexibility and coverage across all production roles.

• Address day-to-day crew concerns and escalate employee matters to the Plant Manager or People & Culture as appropriate.

Safety & Compliance:

• Promote and enforce a strong culture of safety across all plant floor activities.

• Ensure all crew members follow company safety policies, procedures, and PPE requirements at all times.

• Be knowledgeable in the safe operation of all machinery, equipment, and tools used in production.
• Conduct or participate in toolbox meetings, safety briefings, and incident reporting as required.

• Escalate safety concerns or incidents to the Plant Manager and HSE Coordinator immediately.

Quality Control:

• Conduct preliminary quality checks throughout the production process, including form setup, reinforcing placement, concrete placement, and finished panel inspection.

• Coordinate with the QA/QC Coordinator for formal inspections and non-conformance resolution.

• Identify quality issues early and implement corrective actions to minimize rework or product defects.

• Ensure tools, forms, and equipment are properly maintained and report maintenance needs to the Precast Operations Manager.

Continuous Improvement: 

• Identify opportunities to improve safety, efficiency, and quality on the production floor.

• Share improvement ideas with the Precast Operations Manager and contribute to implementing process changes.

• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives and support a culture of accountability and excellence.

• Other duties as assigned by the Precast Operations Manager.

Startup & Procedures Development:

• Develop and document production procedures, work instructions, and best practices as the plant ramps up, providing a repeatable foundation for the crew.

• Identify gaps in current practices and recommend standard methods that improve consistency, quality, and efficiency across the tables.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; technical training in construction, manufacturing, or a related field is an asset.

• Minimum 5+ years of hands-on experience in precast concrete production or a similar manufacturing environment.

• Minimum 2+ years of team lead or supervisory experience overseeing production crews.

• Strong working knowledge of precast production processes including batching, forming, casting, stripping, steel fabrication, insulation, and finishing.

• Ability to read and interpret shop drawings, panel plans, and production specifications.

• Familiarity with safe material handling, lifting, and rigging practices. 

• Strong leadership and communication skills with the ability to motivate and manage a diverse production team.

• Knowledge of workplace safety regulations and quality control procedures.

• Physically capable of performing demanding work including lifting up to 50lbs, bending, and standing for extended periods.

• Flexibility to work shifts, weekends, or overtime as required by production schedules.

• Valid Alberta Class 5 Driver's License with reliable transportation.

Preferred Assets 

• Experience supervising multiple production crew roles simultaneously in a precast or manufacturing environment.

• Standard First Aid Certification.

• Fall Protection Certification.

• Aerial Work Platform (AWP) Certification.

• Forklift or material handling equipment certification.