If you complement your production experience with strong leadership skills and a goal orientation, this position offers you several opportunities. You will: 

• Make an impact by monitoring the big picture in finishing operations, and identifying and resolving issues and bottlenecks.
• Help build a strong and collaborative team in a state-of-the-art facility (featuring robotics) that is the largest of its kind in the nation. You'll be able to take advantage of a Master Trainer on site for your team and yourself. 
• Enjoy the stability and resources of a growing global organization -- our recent combination with Luxottica has made us the world's largest player in the eyewear industry.
• Showcase your potential to take on additional responsibilities and advance your career with Essilor, here in Columbus, or at locations across North America and around the world.
• Earn a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits in an upbeat, dynamic culture.

Improving Lives By Improving Sight. Essilor of America, Inc. is the leading manufacturer of eyeglass lenses in the United States, employs more than 7,000 people and operates the largest and most comprehensive optical laboratory network in the U.S. Essilor of America, Inc. is a subsidiary of Paris-based Essilor International. Essilor manufactures optical lenses under the Varilux®, Crizal®, Transitions®, and other brands, and our products are worn by one billion people daily. Essilor has been on Forbes' list of the World's 100 Most Innovative Companies every year since 2010.

• A 2-year associate's degree with a related focus preferred, or the equivalent combination of education and experience in a related field.
• Significant experience working in a fast-paced production/manufacturing environment, preferably with coating/chemical processes, and ideally with mass customization. A background in optical labs is preferred, and experience with optical finishing processes would be ideal.
• 5+ years of supervisory experience with past success motivating and coaching individuals and teams to meet performance goals.
• Lean manufacturing knowledge (5S, Six Sigma) is strongly preferred.
• Proven strong leadership skills and experience leading shift teams of 30+.
• Solid computer skills including Microsoft Office applications (e.g. Word, intermediate Excel for reporting, and Outlook) and ability to learn web-based software.
• Strong planning and organizing skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to be a personable and positive influence while being assertive where appropriate.

We are hiring for the third shift (11 PM to 7 AM), although you will train initially on the first shift (7 AM to 3 PM). We are currently running one shift five days a week, but will ramp up to add second and third shifts in the near future. By the end of the year, we expect to be running 24x7. We'll look to you to be flexible.

To meet the basic qualification for this role, you will have legal authorization to work permanently in the United States for any employer without requiring a visa transfer or visa sponsorship.

Reporting to the Finishing Department Manager, you will oversee and direct the second shift team, which will include two Group Leads and up to 60 hourly Lab Techs responsible for all department activities. The department handles multiple processes, including mounting lenses, final inspect, shipping and more. You will communicate clear productivity and quality performance objectives, and ensure individuals and the team are meeting those objectives. You'll also ensure safety protocols are followed. 

We're looking for a professional who combines a goal orientation with the ability to monitor the big picture. When you identify a bottleneck, you will respond as necessary to get production back on track to meet your targets. In this you should take advantage of our Group Leads, delegating the hands-on tasks to them so you can continue focus on the big picture.

The Finishing Department is the final stage in overall production, following Order Entry, Surfacing and Coating. We'll look to you to collaborate with Supervisors in those departments in order to ensure a smooth flow throughout the facility.

More specifically, you will:

• Assume responsibility for 3rd shift Finishing Department production.
• Analyze workflow, yields, labor and production requirements and constraints, and quality issues, and proactively identify problems.
• Manage process improvement projects as needed to increase production and quality levels.
• Work with lab management and human resources to staff the department.
• Participate in the hiring, orientation and training of new Finishing personnel.
• Evaluate employee performance; discipline employees according to company policy as needed.
• Train Finishing employees on new processes or to improve skills.
• Maintain performance records on employees, including review of time records; routinely communicate performance and coach employees on methods and techniques for performance improvement.
• Schedule employees' work time and vacation time.
• Maintain department budget, including labor and equipment costs.
• Assist in analyzing and recommending the purchase of new equipment for the Finishing department as needed.
• Analyze problems that arise and determine actions that will minimize the problems, decrease costs and/or improve yields; recommend changes to Production Manager and, upon approval, implement those changes.
• Ensure that all safety standards are maintained in the work area at all times.
• Perform other duties as required.

Influence processes
As a front-line supervisor, we'll welcome your strong ideas and suggestions. We are always looking for improvements and we're establishing best practices that can be duplicated at other locations around the world, meaning you could have an impact beyond the Columbus facility.

Professional development
Our in-house training program will acquaint you with our culture and business, as well as your role. You'll spend time in classroom sessions, work with our Master Trainer, and work alongside your manager and another supervisor. We're committed to ensuring you have the tools and trainer thrive at Essilor.

Great environment
You will join a team that includes dedicated, smart and mutually supportive professionals. Our culture is entrepreneurial, and the company has been innovating both technologically and to solve problems for 170 years. You'll also learn the cultural nuances of working for a company based in another country, if that's new to you.

Truly living our values
At Essilor, we believe everyone deserves to see life and all its detail with the best vision possible. That's why, in addition to designing, manufacturing and distributing quality vision care solutions worldwide, we invest in raising awareness of the importance of good vision, support eyecare professionals, invent new technologies and products, and support philanthropic initiatives. We also are committed to robust standards for environmental sustainability. These are just a couple of reasons we were one of the 52 companies named to Fortune magazine's 2019 Change the World list.

Excellent compensation
In addition to competitive compensation and bonus potential, we offer an exceptional mix of first-rate benefits, including medical, dental and vision plans; a 401(k) plan with company match; tuition reimbursement; comprehensive training through Essilor University; lens and frame benefits for you and your family; an employee stock purchase plan with company match; and more.

Video: As part of the #DifferenceMakers campaign, Essilor chose four eyecare professionals and three Essilor employees to participate in a mission trip to Southeast Asia in March 2019.