Assembly Lead

Department: Manufacturing / Production
Location: Houston, TX
Reports To: Production Supervisor / Production Manager
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Job Type: Full-Time

Position Summary

McDaniel Metals is seeking an experienced Assembly Lead to provide hands-on leadership within our manufacturing operations. This position is responsible for coordinating daily assembly activities, supporting and directing production employees, and ensuring customer orders are assembled safely, accurately, and on schedule.

We are looking for someone with previous manufacturing or production experience, preferably within HVAC, sheet metal fabrication, mechanical assembly, or a similar industrial environment. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader who understands production workflow, can read and follow work orders and drawings, and is comfortable working alongside the team while maintaining accountability for safety, quality, and productivity.

Key Responsibilities

Assembly & Production Operations

• Lead daily activities within assigned assembly areas.
• Review work orders and production priorities to ensure scheduled customer orders are completed on time.
• Assign and coordinate work among assemblers based on production requirements and employee skill levels.
• Monitor work in progress and communicate delays, material shortages, or production concerns to supervision.
• Ensure employees have the correct materials, components, tools, and information necessary to complete assigned work.
• Assist employees with assembly processes and troubleshoot production issues as needed.
• Work alongside the assembly team when necessary to support production requirements.
• Ensure completed products move efficiently to the next stage of production.

Leadership & Team Support

• Provide daily direction and hands-on support to assembly employees.
• Help train and cross-train new and existing employees on assembly processes, tools, drawings, and work instructions.
• Reinforce expectations for attendance, productivity, quality, safety, and workplace conduct.
• Monitor employee performance and communicate coaching or performance concerns to the Production Supervisor.
• Promote teamwork, accountability, and a positive work environment.
• Serve as a reliable point of contact for employees during daily production activities.

Quality & Compliance

• Ensure products are assembled according to work orders, drawings, specifications, and established quality standards.
• Verify correct materials and components are being used.
• Perform and support in-process quality checks.
• Identify defects, incorrect components, or workmanship concerns before products advance through production.
• Communicate recurring quality issues and assist with corrective actions.
• Help minimize scrap and rework through proper training and process adherence.

Safety

• Reinforce company safety policies, procedures, and PPE requirements.
• Ensure employees properly and safely use hand tools, power tools, fixtures, and assembly equipment.
• Immediately report and address unsafe behaviors or conditions.
• Maintain clean, organized, and safe assembly work areas.
• Support company housekeeping and 5S expectations.

Production Coordination

• Track production progress throughout the shift.
• Coordinate with Production, Planning, Quality, Material Handling, and other departments to resolve issues affecting scheduled work.
• Communicate material shortages, equipment problems, quality concerns, and production delays promptly.
• Assist supervision with maintaining an effective shift handoff and communicating outstanding production priorities.

Required Qualifications

• 2+ years of manufacturing, production, fabrication, or mechanical assembly experience.
• Previous experience as a Lead, Senior Assembler, Trainer, or similar production leadership role strongly preferred.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and experience using hand and power tools.
• Ability to read and follow work orders, production instructions, and basic mechanical or assembly drawings.
• Experience working in a fast-paced production environment.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with production employees and management.
• Ability to provide direction while also working hands-on alongside the team.
• Dependable attendance and demonstrated ability to meet production deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in HVAC manufacturing, sheet metal fabrication, or mechanical assembly.
• Experience assembling fabricated metal components or finished HVAC products.
• Previous experience training or cross-training manufacturing employees.
• Familiarity with BOMs, production drawings, and manufacturing work orders.
• Knowledge of 5S, Lean Manufacturing, or continuous improvement practices.

Physical & Work Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the shift.
• Ability to lift, push, pull, and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Frequent bending, reaching, twisting, and repetitive hand movements.
• Ability to safely operate hand and power tools.
• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment around machinery, moving equipment, noise, and varying temperatures.
• Ability to wear required PPE, including safety glasses, gloves, hearing protection, and steel-toe footwear.

What We Offer

• Competitive pay based on experience
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Training and Cross-Training Opportunities
• Opportunities for Career Growth and Advancement

Join Our Team

If you have hands-on manufacturing experience and are ready to take on a leadership role, we encourage you to apply.

We are looking for someone who can lead by example, support the assembly team, maintain accountability, and help ensure our products are completed safely, accurately, and on time.

HVAC or sheet metal manufacturing experience is highly valued, but candidates with strong leadership experience in other manufacturing environments are also encouraged to apply.

McDaniel Metals, LLC specializes in fabricating aftermarket HVAC components using sheet metal and a variety of equipment such as CNC Lasers, Panel Benders, Automated Coil lines, CNC Press Brakes, Spot Welders, etc. We maintain a combined manufacturing facility of 160,846 sq. ft.; featuring 3 facilities.