Take the next step in your manufacturing career with Lake City Plating. We’re looking for a hands-on Lead Operator who can run plating equipment, support teams across both plants, and help deliver quality service to our customers. If you bring strong production knowledge, sound judgment, and a commitment to safety, quality, communication, and team development, this is an opportunity to make a visible impact every day.

What You’ll Do

• Set up and operate plating equipment using the correct cycle, amperage, load size, and other work-order requirements.

• Verify Travelers (work orders), correct missing or inaccurate information, and complete required production documentation promptly and accurately.

• Handle customer parts carefully and inspect output for proper thickness, chromate, packaging, and visible defects.

• Partner with supervisors and laboratory personnel to confirm the line is plating correctly and resolve quality concerns.

• Keep the line loaded, staffed, and running efficiently through breaks, changeovers, and shift transitions.

• Stage product before and throughout the shift and enter OEE data accurately.

• Communicate safety, quality, and output issues clearly across shifts—verbally, electronically, and in writing.

• Maintain a clean, organized work area and apply 5S principles throughout the line.

• Reinforce safe work practices, proper PPE use, and timely reporting of incidents, maintenance needs, or machine concerns.

• Train Operators and Key Operators, answer day-to-day questions, provide feedback, and model LCP’s 9 Guiding Principles.

• Recommend improvements that strengthen safety, quality, efficiency, and production results.

What You Bring

• Previous Operator leadership experience in a manufacturing environment.

• Ability to operate a forklift safely.

• Strong teamwork, time management, performance management, and results-focused skills.

• Ability to speak, read, and write in English; Spanish-language skills are a plus.

• Confidence leading through influence, coaching, and training.

Schedule & Shift Options

This is a full-time, Monday–Friday position with a starting base pay rate of $20.50 per hour, plus shift differential (pay rate is based on experience, after training is complete). Saturdays are required when customer demand makes them necessary.

• 1st Shift: 6:45 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

• 2nd Shift: 2:45 p.m.–11:00 p.m. (+shift differential)

• 3rd Shift: 10:45 p.m.–7:00 a.m. (+shift differential)

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

This role works in a manufacturing environment with frequent exposure to moving mechanical parts and vibration. The noise level is moderate. Required PPE includes safety glasses, appropriate closed-toe footwear, and other protective equipment as needed.

The role regularly requires talking and hearing, as well as standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, and crouching. The employee must occasionally lift and move items weighing less than 50 pounds. Required vision abilities include close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth perception, along with the ability to adjust focus. No travel is expected.

EEO Statement

Lake City Plating is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are dedicated to attracting and retaining a diverse team of talented individuals who are passionate about their work. Our goal is to foster an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive and contribute their best. Together, we aim to provide exceptional service to our customers.

Lake City Plating LLC. participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

Benefits:

401(k) matching

Health, Dental, Vision, Life insurance

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Referral program

Monthly catered lunch

Ready to Lead the Line?

Apply today to bring your plating experience, leadership, and commitment to quality to Lake City Plating.