Press Brake Lead

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.

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.