Panel/Purlin Shop Lead

EOE Statement
We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Description

Reports to: Production Manager Location: Pottsville, AR Shift: 1st - 7 AM - 4 PM With Possible Overtime and Weekends if Needed Type: Full-time

About the Role

Cowell Steel is hiring a hands-on Production Supervisor to lead our roll forming operation. You will directly supervise the crews and lines that produce purlins (C, Z, and eave struts) and roof and wall panels for pre-engineered metal buildings.

You own safety, output, quality, and on-time shipment for your shift. You'll spend most of your day on the floor: coaching operators, solving line problems, and making sure every order leaves the plant to spec and on schedule.

Key Responsibilities

Safety

• Lead a zero-incident culture: enforce lockout/tagout, machine guarding, PPE, and safe coil and bundle handling
• Run daily safety huddles, conduct shift audits, and investigate near-misses and incidents with corrective actions
• Ensure safe crane, forklift, and overhead lifting practices around coils and finished material

Production & Scheduling

• Supervise operators, helpers, and material handlers across purlin and panel roll forming lines
• Execute the daily production schedule; sequence orders to minimize changeovers and meet ship dates
• Coordinate coil staging, profile and gauge changeovers, and line setups to keep lines running
• Track and report output, uptime, scrap, and labor efficiency; drive improvement against targets

Quality

• Verify parts meet drawings and cut lists: length, hole punching, gauge, profile, and finish
• Ensure first-piece and in-process checks are completed and documented
• Resolve quality issues with Engineering and QC, including roll tooling, oil canning, and coating damage

People Leadership

• Hire, train, and develop crew members; build cross-trained operators across lines
• Set clear expectations, give regular feedback, and handle attendance and performance issues fairly
• Assign labor by line and shift to match demand

Equipment & Continuous Improvement

• Partner with Maintenance on preventive maintenance, breakdowns, and roll tooling care
• Lead 5S, standard work, and lean initiatives to reduce changeover time and scrap
• Coordinate with Shipping, Inventory, and Customer Service on order status and bundling/loading

Position Requirements

Qualifications

Required

• Hands-on experience with roll forming, metal fabrication, or coil processing equipment
• Ability to read blueprints, cut lists, and shop drawings; comfortable with tape measure and calipers
• Strong working knowledge of OSHA safety practices, including lockout/tagout
• Proven ability to lead a team, manage priorities, and hit production targets
• Basic computer skills (email, Excel, ERP or production tracking systems)
• High school diploma or GED

Preferred

• 3+ years of supervisory or lead experience in a manufacturing environment
• Experience in pre-engineered metal buildings, purlin, or metal roof and wall panel production
• Familiarity with roll tooling setup, changeovers, and inline punching/shearing
• Lean manufacturing, 5S, or continuous improvement training
• Forklift and overhead crane certification
• Associate or bachelor's degree in a technical or business field

Working Conditions

• Plant floor environment with exposure to noise, moving equipment, sheet metal edges, and seasonal temperatures
• Required PPE includes safety glasses, cut-resistant gloves and sleeves, steel-toe boots, and hearing protection
• Able to stand and walk for a full shift, climb, bend, and kneel; and lift up to and over 50 lbs

Pay and Benefits

• Health insurance
• Health savings account with company match
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Short & long-term disability insurance
• Pay based on experience

Full-Time/Part-Time
Full-Time

Shift
Days

Position
Panel/Purlin Shop Lead

Location
Pottsville

This position is currently accepting applications.