Production Lead

Company Name: Ward’s Manufacturing, LLC

Job Title: Production Lead

Location: In-person at Warren, Rhode Island 02885 location

Salary: $28-$35/ hour, depending on experience

Job Type: Full-time, hourly pay, with medical, dental, paid time off, and 401k

Hours: 40 hours per week. Standard hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm with a 30-minute lunch break. Some flexibility in hours is allowed.

Work Authorization: Must be authorized to work in the United States.

Department: Production

Supervisor: CEO

About Ward’s Manufacturing

Ward’s Manufacturing is a precision metal fabrication shop founded by siblings Kiffin and Kelly Ward. We specialize in fiber laser cutting, CNC press brake bending, machining, and part design, producing custom metal parts for industries ranging from aerospace and robotics to sports equipment and public art.

As a small but growing shop, we take pride in high-quality work, fast turnaround times, and solving challenging fabrication problems. Our team works directly with the founders, giving employees the opportunity to make a real impact in shaping the company as we grow. If you enjoy building things, solving problems, and helping lead a team in a fast-moving fabrication environment, Ward’s Manufacturing offers a unique opportunity to grow with a young company.

About the Role

Ward’s Manufacturing is seeking a Production Lead to manage daily production operations while working alongside the team on the shop floor. This role combines shop leadership, production management, and hands-on manufacturing. The Production Lead will own the day-to-day production schedule, coordinate workflow across machines and technicians, and ensure work is completed safely, efficiently, and to specification.

Because we are a small team, the Production Lead will also operate equipment and assist with fabrication when needed. This is a working leadership role where you will lead by example while helping the company scale its production capabilities.

The Production Lead serves as the primary bridge between the shop floor and the owners, ensuring production stays organized, efficient, and aligned with company goals.

Responsibilities

Production Management (Approx. 30%)

- Own and manage the daily and weekly production schedule.

- Prioritize jobs based on due dates, material availability, and machine capacity.

- Assign work across technicians and machines to maintain a balanced workflow.

- Identify production bottlenecks and implement corrective actions in real time.

- Serve as the first escalation point for shop-floor questions and problem solving.

- Lead daily start-of-shift and end-of-shift meetings.

- Coordinate with leadership and administration on purchasing needs and vendor coordination.

- Track production metrics.

- Support and implement continuous improvement and lean manufacturing initiatives.

Hands-on Manufacturing (Approx. 70%)

As needed, support production by operating across multiple fabrication processes, including:

- Fiber Laser Cutting

- Review drawings and job orders to determine specifications.

- Set up and operate the fiber laser to cut sheet metal to specification.

- Select appropriate nozzles, assist gas, and cutting parameters.

- Adjust programs when required to match job requirements.

- Press Brake Forming

- Set up and operate the CNC press brake to bend parts to specification.

- Select appropriate top punches and bottom dies.

- Adjust back gauge, top punch, and bottom die positions according to drawings and process instructions.

- Verify part dimensions and angles before and after bending.

- Secondary Operations

- Operate deburring, machining, and finishing equipment as needed.

- Move material using forklift and pallet jacks.

- Load sheet metal into the fiber laser using an overhead crane and vacuum lifter.

- Assist with receiving materials, packaging parts, and shipping orders.

- Perform routine machine cleaning and maintenance.

Quality & Process Control

- Perform quality control procedures, including First Article Inspection (FAI), in-process, and final inspections.

- Ensure parts meet drawing requirements, tolerances, and customer specifications.

- Use precision measuring equipment including calipers, micrometers, gauges, and angle finders.

- Coordinate with the CEO to address defects or rework.

- Maintain production documentation and shop records.

- Support inventory tracking of metal, materials, and work-in-progress.

Safety & Shop Discipline

- Enforce shop safety practices and proper equipment use.

- Maintain clean, organized work areas following 5S principles.

- Promote a professional, accountable, and lean shop environment.

Required Qualifications

- Proven ability to lead by example on the shop floor.

- Experience managing or supervising manufacturing teams.

- Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.

- Ability to prioritize work and manage multiple jobs simultaneously.

- Strong communication skills, in English (written & oral).

- Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 lbs.

- Reliable transportation.

- Ability to work independently and lead a small team.

- Mechanical aptitude and strong attention to detail.

- Ability to read and interpret manufacturing drawings.

- Good math skills to help understand complex instructions, how schematics work and to make sure items are progressively formed correctly.

- Experience with precision measuring tools (calipers, gauges, micrometers, etc.).

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience in a small, high-mix fabrication or machine shop.

- Experience operating fiber lasers or CNC press brakes.

- Familiarity with CAD files such as SolidWorks, STEP or DXF.

- Forklift experience.

- Manual and automated deburring or sanding equipment experience.

- Manual mill (Bridgeport) experience.

- Knowledge of metal material properties.

- Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles.

- Familiarity with ISO 9001 quality systems.

Benefits

- Paid time off; 10 holidays, 10 days vacation, 5 sick/personal days per year.

- Health Insurance

- Dental Insurance

- 401k

- On the job technical training with the latest metal fabrication technology, including a 3kw fiber laser and 10ft., 190 ton CNC press brake.

- Opportunities for career advancement into senior leadership roles.

Diversity

We welcome all backgrounds and encourage you to apply if this role interests and excites you. All applicants will be considered without regard to sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, medical condition, Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Ward’s Manufacturing is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Pay: $28.00 - $35.00 per hour

Benefits:

- 401(k)

- Dental insurance

- Health insurance

- On-the-job training

- Paid time off

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Language:

- English (Required)

Ability to Commute:

- Warren, RI 02885 (Required)

Work Location: In person