JIREH METAL PRODUCTS

Job Description: Lead Press Brake Operator

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 H