Mixing Lead - 3rd Shift in Fort Wayne, Indiana at Press-Seal Gasket Corporation

Purpose of Position

The Mixing Shift Lead oversees mixing operations during the assigned shift, ensuring that production goals, safety expectations, quality standards, and company policies are consistently met. This role requires leadership, strong communication, and the ability to work in a fast-paced, physically demanding, and sometimes dirty environment involving rubber compounds, carbon black, and oils. The Shift Lead is responsible for coordinating workflow, reporting, accountability, and maintaining an organized and professional production floor.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Direct, guide, and assign tasks to operators and technicians throughout the shift
• Oversee daily production processes including changeovers, raw material movement, tote movement, and material staging
• Monitor or support Mooney, scorch, and MDR testing to ensure results are communicated and documented correctly
• Oversee dip tank operations and related quality expectations
• Ensure bulk oil receiving, carbon black receiving, and broken tote procedures are followed
• Maintain and update production boards each shift
• Ensure accurate completion of scrap reporting, downtime reporting, and production reporting
• Complete the daily attendance email and daily shift report
• Ensure the Process Log is completed correctly during each changeover or once per shift, including all recipe details, materials, settings, and observations
• Provide thorough shift handoffs, communicating production status, issues, and priorities to the next shift
• Uphold and enforce company policies including time clock procedures, attendance standards, safety rules, discipline, and cell phone guidelines
• Coach employees on expectations, performance, and behavior; escalate issues appropriately
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment aligned with 5S standards
• Communicate with supervisors regarding issues, staffing needs, or equipment concerns
• Promote teamwork, consistency, professionalism, and accountability
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Strong leadership and communication skills
• Ability to work in a dirty, physical manufacturing environment
• Ability to lift up to 80 lbs and perform sustained manual labor
• Dependability, professionalism, and good judgment
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and make decisions under pressure
• Ability to enforce policy and coach employee performance
• Understanding of production processes and reporting requirements

Education and Experience

• High School Diploma or GED preferred
• Prior manufacturing experience required; experience in mixing preferred
• Previous leadership or lead-support experience strongly recommended

We offer competitive pay and great benefits to support your career and life outside of work:

• PTO & Holidays: Up to 13 days PTO + 10 paid holidays per year
• Insurance Options: Medical, Dental, Vision & Life Insurance Coverage
• HAS Contribution: $500 annually with a high-deductible health plan
• Retirement Savings: 401(k) with company match (up to 4%)
• Attendance Bonus: Up to $2.00/hour extra for perfect monthly attendance

Physical Demands

Mixing department workers operate in a heated and dirty environment with frequent physical demands. Tasks include continuous standing, frequent walking, bending, climbing, and machinery. Employees must lift and carry weights from 10 - 61 lbs., with frequent hand use and gripping.