Manufacturing Supervisor

Bauer aircraft component test and support equipment is in use around the world by a wide range of commercial and military customers. Our customers rely not only on our equipment, but on our technical expertise. For over 110 years, Bauer has built a culture that focuses on passion, productivity, and growth opportunities for our dedicated employees. We consider our employees to be our greatest asset which is why we foster an environment in which our employees are always learning, growing, and developing within their careers. If you have what it takes – the skills, passion, and dedication – we invite you to build your career at Bauer.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Manufacturing Supervisor is responsible for the planning, coordination, and execution of manufacturing operations, including machining and mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical assembly, to ensure the timely delivery of high-quality products that meet customer requirements, engineering specifications, and established workmanship standards.

This position provides hands-on leadership of manufacturing personnel and actively participates in production activities as needed. Responsibilities include assigning and prioritizing work, managing labor and production resources, monitoring schedules and budgets, coordinating material availability, and ensuring that manufacturing activities are completed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with quality requirements.

The Manufacturing Supervisor works closely with the Manufacturing Manager, Production Control, Project Engineers, Materials, Quality, and other functional teams throughout the product lifecycle, from initial work planning through machining, assembly, testing, and shipment. This individual identifies scheduling and resource constraints, recommends solutions, and provides manufacturing input to improve product manufacturability, labor efficiency, and overall operational performance.

The successful candidate will foster teamwork, accountability, and positive working relationships across the organization while developing a skilled and flexible workforce. This position champions continuous improvement through Lean Manufacturing principles, including 6S, visual management, standardized work, Gemba walks, and performance metrics.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Production Planning and Scheduling

• Assign and prioritize work orders, engineering drawings, and production tasks across machining and assembly resources to achieve established milestone dates and customer delivery commitments.
• Evaluate labor requirements, available capacity, and estimated completion hours to ensure assigned work can be completed within budget and schedule.
• Monitor production progress, identify scheduling conflicts and resource constraints, and recommend solutions to the Manufacturing Manager.
• Evaluate the need for overtime, temporary labor, additional staffing, or outsourcing to maintain production schedules and present recommendations to the Manufacturing Manager.
• Coordinate manufacturing activities across machining, mechanical assembly, hydraulic assembly, and electrical assembly to maintain an efficient workflow.
• Ensure manufacturing employees have the appropriate drawings, materials, tools, equipment, and instructions to perform assigned work.

2. Workforce Management and Development

• Direct and coordinate the daily activities of manufacturing personnel to promote productivity, quality, safety, and on-time delivery.
• Provide hands-on leadership and technical guidance to machining and assembly employees, performing direct production work as needed to support schedules and resolve manufacturing challenges.
• Identify staffing and resource needs and provide recommendations to the Manufacturing Manager regarding new hires, temporary staffing, cross-training, and employee development.
• Participate in recruiting and interviewing candidates for manufacturing positions and provide input on job descriptions and position requirements.
• Train new employees and support ongoing technical training and cross-training of existing personnel.
• Provide input to the Manufacturing Manager regarding employee performance, development needs, and performance evaluations, including 90-day and annual reviews.
• Monitor employee attendance, timekeeping, and job charging to ensure accurate reporting of labor and production costs.
• Review and approve employee timecards and vacation requests in accordance with company procedures, ensuring adequate production coverage.
• Promote accountability, teamwork, professional conduct, and effective communication within manufacturing and across supporting departments.
• Enforce company policies and procedures and address performance, attendance, and workplace conduct issues appropriately.

3. Materials and Resource Coordination

• Coordinate with the Manufacturing Manager, Materials Manager, Production Control, and other relevant personnel to ensure the timely availability of raw materials, components, and supplies.
• Monitor material availability and communicate shortages, procurement delays, or other concerns to the appropriate stakeholders before they affect production schedules.
• Coordinate the receipt, organization, storage, and availability of raw materials and work-in-process inventory within manufacturing areas.
• Work with Production Control and Materials personnel to resolve material discrepancies, shortages, and other production constraints.

4. Manufacturing Systems and Cost Control

• Use the Bauer Business System (Visual ERP) to establish and update work orders, allocate labor hours to appropriate operations, and maintain accurate production information.
• Review active labor reports daily to verify that employees are charged to the correct work orders and operations and that sufficient budgeted hours remain to complete assigned work.
• Identify and communicate labor-hour discrepancies, budget overruns, and other work order issues to the Manufacturing Manager and applicable Production Control personnel.
• Use manufacturing reports and performance metrics to monitor actual machining and assembly hours against budget and identify opportunities to improve labor utilization.
• Maintain accurate work order documentation and ensure manufacturing records are complete and accessible.
• Use Microsoft Office applications and other company systems to communicate production status, track performance, and coordinate activities across departments.

5. Technical and Engineering Collaboration

• Support the resolution of machining, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical assembly issues in collaboration with Engineering and other technical resources.
• Identify opportunities to improve manufacturing methods, tooling, equipment utilization, and work sequencing.

6. Quality Assurance

• Ensure that all products manufactured and assembled meet applicable engineering specifications, drawing requirements, workmanship standards, and company quality requirements.
• Promote a culture of quality and accountability throughout machining and assembly operations.
• Work with Quality and Engineering to investigate nonconformances, identify root causes, and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Initiate corrective action requests (CARs) and preventive action requests (PARs), as appropriate, and follow them through resolution.
• Ensure employees follow established work instructions, inspection requirements, and quality procedures.
• Identify recurring quality issues and drive improvements that reduce rework, scrap, and production delays.

7. Safety and Compliance

• Ensure manufacturing employees comply with company safety policies, applicable OSHA requirements, and established operating procedures.
• Maintain safe, clean, and organized machining and assembly work areas.
• Identify and address unsafe conditions, equipment concerns, and work practices, escalating issues when necessary.
• Participate in the Bauer Safety Committee and communicate relevant safety concerns and improvement opportunities to the committee chairperson and management.
• Promote employee awareness of safe machining, material handling, assembly, and equipment operating practices.

8. Continuous Improvement and Operational Excellence

• Lead and participate in continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Manufacturing principles and practical problem-solving methods.
• Champion 6S, visual management, standardized work, Gemba walks, and other initiatives that improve safety, organization, productivity, and workflow.
• Monitor manufacturing KPIs, including schedule adherence, labor efficiency, quality, and production performance, and drive corrective actions when targets are not achieved.
• Evaluate manufacturing processes, equipment, tooling, and work methods to identify opportunities to reduce waste, improve throughput, and lower production costs.
• Encourage employee participation in identifying problems, recommending improvements, and implementing sustainable solutions.
• Promote effective material flow, workplace organization, and efficient utilization of manufacturing resources.
• Support company-wide operational objectives and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Knowledge and Skills

• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, including machining and mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical assembly processes.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, machining prints, bills of material, assembly documentation, and hydraulic and electrical schematics.
• Working knowledge of machining processes, tooling, equipment, and production methods.
• Familiarity with hydraulic and pneumatic systems, including control valves, regulators, pumps, tube fabrication, tube bending and flaring, pipe threading, and hose fabrication.
• Working knowledge of electrical assembly practices and applicable electrical codes.
• Demonstrated ability to plan work, coordinate resources, manage competing priorities, and achieve production schedules.
• Ability to interpret labor reports, monitor budgeted versus actual hours, and identify opportunities to improve productivity and cost performance.
• Strong supervisory, organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Ability to coach and develop employees, resolve problems, and promote teamwork across multiple manufacturing disciplines.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and manufacturing ERP/MRP systems; Visual ERP experience preferred.
• Commitment to safety, quality, continuous improvement, and customer satisfaction.
• US Persons only due to ITAR restrictions.

Required Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent; technical or trade school education or certification preferred.
• Mechanical, electrical, electro-mechanical, manufacturing engineering, or related degree preferred, or equivalent combination of technical education and practical experience.
• At least three years of experience in a manufacturing leadership role with responsibility for directing or supervising employees.
• At least seven years of hands-on manufacturing experience, including machining, assembly, or related production activities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supervising both machining and assembly operations in a complex equipment manufacturing environment.
• Experience with production scheduling, work order management, labor budgeting, and manufacturing cost control.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing principles, including 6S, visual management, standardized work, and continuous improvement.
• Experience with ERP-based production planning, labor reporting, and work order management.
• Experience coordinating manufacturing resources, materials availability, and outsourcing to meet customer delivery commitments.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• This is a hands-on manufacturing leadership position requiring regular presence on the production floor and direct participation in machining or assembly activities as needed.
• The role requires the ability to coordinate multiple manufacturing priorities and respond to changing production requirements.
• A typical workweek is approximately 45–50 hours, with additional hours as needed to support production schedules and customer commitments.