Our client is an established Ontario manufacturer specializing in premium custom wood products for residential, commercial, and architectural applications. The company has built a strong reputation for craftsmanship, product quality, customer service, and continued investment in modern woodworking technology.
We are currently recruiting for a Manufacturing Lead to join a custom door manufacturing operation in Mississauga. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who understands woodworking, custom door production, millwork, cabinet manufacturing, and the importance of producing high-quality products the right way.
This opportunity is ideal for a working lead, senior operator, or hands-on production leader who enjoys coaching people, solving problems on the floor, improving workflow, and staying close to the details of woodworking production.
Compensation
- Competitive compensation based on experience
- Comprehensive benefits package
- Stable, full-time employment with an established and growing manufacturer
The Opportunity
The Manufacturing Lead will support the day-to-day activities of a custom wood manufacturing team while remaining actively involved on the production floor. You will help coordinate workflow, support employees, troubleshoot production issues, maintain quality standards, and ensure customer commitments are met.
This is not a desk-based leadership role. The successful candidate will spend most of their time on the production floor, working alongside the team, keeping production moving, identifying bottlenecks, and helping build a strong, accountable, high-performing manufacturing culture.
The company has made significant investments in modern woodworking technology, including CNC routers, CNC machining centres, wide belt sanders, edge sanders, assembly equipment, and other automated woodworking machinery. The Manufacturing Lead will play an important role in helping the team use this equipment safely, efficiently, and consistently.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, coach, and support production employees in a custom wood manufacturing environment.
- Work hands-on with the team throughout the shift to support production, quality, safety, and workflow.
- Coordinate daily production priorities and help ensure schedules and customer commitments are achieved.
- Monitor labour allocation and move resources as production needs change.
- Read and interpret manufacturing drawings, work orders, specifications, BOMs, and production instructions.
- Support complex woodworking operations and help troubleshoot production challenges on the floor.
- Train new and existing employees on equipment, processes, quality standards, safety practices, and manufacturing expectations.
- Help develop employees into stronger operators and future leaders.
- Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, communication, and continuous improvement.
- Promote a “quality at the source” mindset and ensure products meet quality standards before moving to the next operation.
- Identify defects early, reduce rework, and participate in root cause analysis and corrective actions.
- Ensure production documentation, job tracking, and ERP updates are completed accurately.
- Support daily production meetings and communicate progress, issues, and priorities throughout the shift.
- Lead by example in workplace safety, housekeeping, PPE use, and proper equipment operation.
- Identify opportunities to improve productivity, quality, material usage, workflow, and efficiency.
Woodworking & Equipment Focus
The right person for this role should bring strong practical knowledge of woodworking manufacturing. We are looking for someone who can earn credibility on the floor through experience, mechanical aptitude, problem-solving ability, and a genuine understanding of how quality wood products are made. Experience with the following would be valuable:
- Custom wood door manufacturing
- Cabinet manufacturing
- Architectural millwork
- Wood mouldings and trim
- Solid wood and engineered wood products
- CNC routers or CNC machining centres
- Wide belt sanders, edge sanders, and other sanding equipment
- Door assembly, machining, profiling, sizing, and finishing preparation
- Reading manufacturing drawings, production specifications, work orders, and BOMs
- Troubleshooting equipment, tooling, machining methods, workflow, and quality issues
What We’re Looking For
- Minimum 5 years of experience in woodworking, cabinet manufacturing, millwork, custom door manufacturing, or a closely related environment.
- Previous experience as a Lead Hand, Team Lead, Working Lead, Supervisor, Senior Operator, or highly experienced hands-on production employee.
- Strong understanding of woodworking equipment, manufacturing processes, drawings, specifications, and quality standards.
- Strong mechanical aptitude and practical troubleshooting skills.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment while maintaining excellent quality.
- Comfortable using computers, ERP systems, job tracking systems, or manufacturing software.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to train, coach, and support production employees.
- A hands-on leadership style with a positive attitude and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Forklift certification is considered an asset.
- Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, or process improvement experience is considered an asset.
Why This Role?
This is a strong opportunity for a hands-on woodworking leader to join an established custom wood manufacturer that continues to invest in people, process, equipment, and growth. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to:
- Lead from the production floor, not from behind a desk
- Work with modern CNC and automated woodworking equipment
- Help improve workflow, quality, productivity, and team development
- Join a stable, full-time manufacturing environment
- Be part of a company with a strong reputation in custom wood products
- Make a visible impact on day-to-day production and long-term operational improvement
About JP Recruitment
JP Recruitment specializes in engineering, manufacturing, skilled trades, operations, maintenance, quality, technical sales, and leadership recruitment across Canada. We work with employers and candidates in highly specialized technical markets where industry knowledge, proper screening, and targeted recruiting make a difference.
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