Press Brake Lead

Description

JIREH METAL PRODUCTS

Job Description: Press Brake Lead

Location : Grandville, MI

Reports To : Production Manager

Interfaces With : Production, Engineering, Quality, Material Handling, Maintenance

Role Purpose

• •Lead the safe and efficient operation of the press brake area and provide daily direction to a small team.
• •Set up, program, and operate CNC press brake equipment to manufacture parts that meet customer specifications and Jireh Metal Products’ quality standards.
• •Create and maintain job documentation, machine programs, tooling requirements, and standardized setup instructions.
• •Develop press brake processes and team capabilities to support safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and future growth.

Requirements

Core Accountabilities

Leadership and Team Development

• •Provide daily work direction, technical support, and coaching to Press Brake Operators and assigned team members.
• •Coordinate work priorities based on production schedules, staffing, equipment, tooling, and material availability.
• •Train and cross-train team members on machine operation, programming, setups, blueprint reading, inspection, safety, and quality requirements.
• •Evaluate operator capabilities, identify training needs, and develop backup coverage for critical jobs and equipment.
• •Communicate production status, delays, quality concerns, employee issues, and resource needs to the Production Manager.

Press Brake Operations

• •Set up, program, and operate CNC press brake equipment in accordance with work instructions and production schedules.
• •Read and interpret engineering drawings, work orders, bend requirements, and manufacturing specifications.
• •Select, install, and verify the proper tooling, punches, and dies for each production run.
• •Perform complex setups and assist operators with new jobs, troubleshooting, and process adjustments.
• •Perform first-piece and in-process inspections and make adjustments to maintain quality and efficiency.

Job Documentation and Setup Development

• •Create and maintain machine programs, tooling requirements, setup instructions, inspection requirements, and job documentation.
• •Develop clear and repeatable setup procedures that allow trained operators to produce conforming parts consistently.
• •Maintain organized machine programs and ensure the correct program and document revisions are used.
• •Assist in updating documentation based on engineering changes, tooling changes, production issues, and lessons learned.

Quality

• •Inspect parts using calipers, angle gauges, tape measures, fixtures, and other measuring devices as required.
• •Ensure team members understand print requirements, critical dimensions, and inspection expectations.
• •Identify and report quality concerns, tooling issues, equipment problems, material defects, and process variation.
• •Stop production when requirements are not met and support containment, corrective action, and continuous improvement activities.

Equipment and Tooling

• •Perform routine equipment inspections and ensure required maintenance activities are completed.
• •Maintain tooling in good working condition and report damaged or worn tooling.
• •Assist with troubleshooting machine, programming, setup, and tooling issues.
• •Maintain organized machines, tooling, and work areas.

Safety and Workplace Organization

• •Lead by example in following company safety policies and safe operating procedures.
• •Ensure team members use required machine safeguards, material handling practices, and personal protective equipment.
• •Maintain clean, organized, and safe work areas using 5S principles.
• •Identify and report unsafe conditions, equipment, or work practices.

Systems and Documentation

• •Accurately complete and review production reporting and required documentation.
• •Utilize company systems including Plex, Job Web, machine programming systems, and other manufacturing software as required.
• •Ensure production quantities, labor, scrap, downtime, setup time, and quality information are recorded accurately.

Continuous Improvement

• •Lead improvements focused on safety, quality, setup reduction, productivity, tooling organization, and error prevention.
• •Support new product launches, process development, and production readiness activities.
• •Work with Production, Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, and Material Handling to improve press brake performance.
• •Perform other duties necessary to support customer, operational, and business requirements.

Required Qualifications

• •High School Diploma or GED.
• •Demonstrated experience setting up, programming, and operating CNC press brake equipment.
• •Ability to read and interpret blueprints, work instructions, and manufacturing specifications.
• •Experience using precision measuring and inspection equipment.
• •Ability to provide work direction, training, and technical support to team members.
• •Ability to work safely in a manufacturing environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• •Five or more years of CNC press brake experience.
• •Previous lead, supervisory, or team training experience.
• •Experience developing machine programs, setup documentation, and standardized work instructions.
• •Experience in a metal fabrication manufacturing environment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• •Strong commitment to safety and quality.
• •Strong knowledge of CNC press brake programming, tooling, setups, and forming methods.
• •Strong leadership, coaching, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• •Ability to organize work, establish priorities, and coordinate a small team.
• •Ability to create clear and repeatable job documentation.
• •Dependable attendance and work habits.

Physical Requirements

• •Frequent standing, walking, bending, twisting, and reaching.
• •Good hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity.
• •Continuous visual attention while operating machinery and inspecting parts.
• •Ability to regularly lift up to 25 pounds.
• •Ability to perform repetitive tasks throughout the workday.

Work Environment

• •Manufacturing environment with moving machinery and equipment.
• •Exposure to noise, dust, oils, grease, sharp metal edges, and varying temperatures.
• •Exposure to manufacturing hazards requiring strict adherence to safety procedures.

Personal Protective Equipment

• •Safety glasses required.
• •Hearing protection required.
• •Additional PPE as required by task or work area.

Key Performance Indicators

• •Safety performance.
• •Team leadership, training, and development.
• •Quality performance and first-pass yield.
• •Productivity and schedule attainment.
• •Setup efficiency and machine utilization.
• •Accuracy and completeness of job documentation.
• •Reduction of scrap, rework, downtime, and recurring issues.
• •Housekeeping and 5S compliance.
• •Adherence to work instructions and operating procedures.