Production Unit Manager
About the job
- A minimum of 5 years of supervisory experience in a manufacturing environment is required; metal manufacturing experience is preferred.
- A minimum of 8 years of manufacturing experience is required.
- Ability to read and interpret safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
- Thorough knowledge of manufacturing methods, techniques, and related equipment.
- Ability to read and interpret drawings and specifications.
- Strong knowledge of process management and improvement in a manufacturing setting.
- Strong knowledge of production and scheduling operations.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities and adapt to changing situations.
- Strong leadership skills with written and verbal communication abilities.
- Ability to stand for prolonged periods with some lifting, bending, and twisting.
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to stoop, bend, or kneel when required.
- Manage all principal functions of manufacturing operations, including CNC machining, CNC grinding, shipping, receiving, quality, planning, scheduling, maintenance, and inventory.
- Determine workforce requirements, monitor production to meet customer requirements, and troubleshoot production problems by taking preventive or corrective action.
- Oversee all plant and production workflow.
- Provide constructive and timely performance feedback to direct reports.
- Partner with Human Resources to recruit, interview, train, and hire direct reports.
- Handle discipline and termination of direct reports in accordance with company policy.
- Analyze work orders to estimate employee hours and create machining schedules to meet internal and external needs.
- Interpret specifications, blueprints, and work orders, and assign duties.
- Direct workers in adjusting machines and equipment and repairing tools that fail to meet standards.
- Establish and adjust work procedures to meet production schedules.
- Develop, recommend, and implement measures to improve production methods, equipment performance, and tool quality.
- Suggest changes in working conditions and equipment use to increase shop, department, or work-crew efficiency.
- Analyze and resolve work problems or assist workers in solving work problems.
- Provide leadership to manufacturing personnel to enhance high-performance work teams and promote a positive employee-relations climate.
- Interpret and enforce government and company policies and safety regulations.
- Confer with other supervisors to coordinate activities across individual departments.
- Report weekly on top objectives and company performance.
- Communicate daily with the sales team and customers.
- A bachelor's degree is preferred but not required.
- Metal manufacturing supervisory experience is preferred.
About the company
GWS Tool Group designs and manufactures custom cutting tools for industries such as automotive, medical, and aerospace. Its products include both standard and tailor-made tools, built in 12 North American facilities to meet high-precision needs. How it works: customers select or request customized tools, which are produced in-house and supported by regrinding services that extend tool life. This combination helps clients improve production efficiency and precision, with ongoing optimization to fit evolving manufacturing demands. How it stands out: GWS Tool Group maintains a large catalog (250,000 custom tools and 30,000 standard tools) and emphasizes customer-specific solutions, broad industrial reach, and a focus on sustainability through tool regrinding. Its goal is to deliver reliable, high-performance tooling and service that reduce downtime and lower overall production costs for diverse manufacturers.
Company Size
201-500
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Tavares, Florida
Founded
2014
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- September 2026 IMTS demos with Methods Machine Tools should accelerate pipeline and dealer credibility.
- HTDR-CF moved from custom-only to standard stock in February 2026, expanding immediate revenue.
- Circle segment end mills target blisks and impellers, high-value parts with sticky qualification cycles.
What critics are saying
- The February 2026 leadership transition signals integration churn during a competitive tooling upgrade cycle.
- Reuters in April 2026 highlighted carbide price pressure, squeezing margins across standard and custom tooling.
- Aerospace concentration exposes GWS to Boeing, Safran, and RTX program delays hitting orders quickly.
What makes GWS Tool Group unique
- GWS spans 12 North American facilities and 250,000 custom tools, driving fast customization.
- Its 2026 product cadence targets aerospace niches: HTDR-CF, FerociTI, ceramic holders, circle segment mills.
- Acquisitions since 2020 broadened tapping, threading, PCD, CBN, and ceramic vertical integration.
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Benefits
Hybrid Work Options
Flexible Work Hours
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
11%1 year growth
11%2 year growth
11%GWS Tool Group launches circle segment end mills. New barrel-geometry cutters improve finishing efficiency on blisks, blades, and impellers. GWS Tool Group today announced a new circle segment end mill program engineered to improve finishing efficiency for complex aerospace engine components. Applications include individual blades, impellers, and blisks, also called integrally bladed rotors (IBRs). The circle segment end mills use barrel geometry to increase step-over capability during five-axis finishing. By covering more surface area with each pass, the tools can reduce the number of toolpaths needed to finish complex contours. As a result, manufacturers can shorten cycle times while maintaining part quality. "Circle segment end mills give manufacturers a more efficient approach to finishing the complex curved surfaces found in aerospace engine components," said William Durow, Vice President of Engineering and Technology at GWS Tool Group. "This program strengthens our aerospace offering with tooling engineered for the performance demands of nickel-based superalloys and titanium alloys." An optimized cutting-edge radius supports improved surface finish and tighter tolerances. This can reduce or eliminate secondary finishing operations. In addition, fine-tuned edge preparation balances cutting sharpness and edge strength for consistent performance in difficult-to-machine aerospace materials. The program combines an advanced substrate and coating to improve tool life and wear resistance in high-temperature alloys. Reduced tool engagement and an optimized contact point also help lower cutting forces. This supports higher feeds and speeds while protecting part integrity. Product specifications, availability, and ordering information will be available at gwstoolgroup.com and through GWS representatives. Find your. Perfect tool. Tool filter. Search from over 30,000 standard products for a tool that meets your needs. Custom quote. Can't find what you're looking for? No problem. GWS Tool Group'll make it for you.
GWS Tool Group launches ceramic turning toolholder line. New GWS toolholders expand the company's ceramic tooling offering for demanding turning applications. GWS Tool Group today announced a dedicated line of ceramic turning toolholders. The new line expands the company's ceramic insert offering and gives manufacturers a more complete GWS source for demanding turning applications. The initial release will include ten stick-toolholder families. These families cover the styles most commonly used in ceramic turning. GWS designed the range for nickel-base and other heat-resistant alloys used in aerospace engine, power generation, oil and gas, and turbine component manufacturing. "Adding GWS-branded toolholders to our ceramic insert offering gives customers a more complete starting point for ceramic turning applications," said William Durow, Vice President of Engineering and Technology at GWS Tool Group. "It also gives our applications team a clearer path to help customers select the right holder and insert combination for their operation." GWS also plans to expand the program with additional sizes and styles, including Capto and HSK configurations. Customers can find general availability and ordering information on gwstoolgroup.com or through GWS representatives. Find your. Perfect tool. Tool filter. Search from over 30,000 standard products for a tool that meets your needs. Custom quote. Can't find what you're looking for? No problem. GWS Tool Group'll make it for you.
GWS Tool Group launches ferociti(tm) titanium end mills. New FerociTI titanium end mills improve chip control and process security in demanding roughing. GWS Tool Group today announced FerociTI, a new line of multi-flute end mills for demanding titanium roughing. FerociTI improves chip control, tool life, durability, and process security in aerospace titanium applications. GWS will initially offer FerociTI in 1/4-inch to 3/4-inch sizes with 5- and 7-flute options. The program supports titanium roughing applications up to four times diameter (4D). As a result, manufacturers can select tools for a range of machining conditions. "Titanium roughing places demanding requirements on chip control, heat management, and tool durability," said William Durow, Vice President of Engineering and Technology. "FerociTI combines multi-flute geometry, integrated chip splitters, and specialized edge preparation. Together, these features provide greater process security for aerospace frame machining and other difficult titanium applications." Integrated chip splitters improve chip evacuation and help control cutting temperatures during roughing. At the same time, a specialized edge preparation improves durability. In addition, the tool grade and geometry support longer tool life and greater process security. Aerospace frame machining is the program's primary focus. However, oil and gas applications are also a target for titanium roughing and similar difficult applications. Customers can find product specifications, pricing, part numbers, speeds and feeds, and ordering information at gwstoolgroup.com or through GWS representatives. Find your. Perfect tool. Tool filter. Search from over 30,000 standard products for a tool that meets your needs. Custom quote. Can't find what you're looking for? No problem. GWS Tool Group'll make it for you.
GWS Tool Group releases new HTDR-CF Drill Reamer. GWS Tool Group is excited to announce that its high-performance HTDR-CF Drill Reamer is now available in standard sizes. After years of success as an exclusive, custom-only product, GWS Tool Group is bringing the precision of a custom-engineered drill reamer to an accessible, off-the-shelf tool. There is no longer a need to wait for a custom tool when a proven solution is ready to ship today. Designed specifically for non-metallic materials, the HTDR-CF delivers the precision you demand, exactly when you need it. Key Performance Benefits: * Cut Smoother: A variable flute design cancels out chatter-causing vibrations to provide a superior finish. * Last Longer: Engineered for maximum endurance and tool life, the protected cutting edge ensures lasting performance. * Cleaner Holes: Sharp reamer edges guarantee precise hole diameters while eliminating material delamination. Ideal Applications: * Aerospace Structural Assembly * Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) * Composite Stack Materials * High-Precision Hand Drilling Standard Tool Specifications: * Diameters: 1/8", #30, #11, 1/4", 5/16", and 3/8" * Lengths: 4" and 6" overall length (OAL) with a 2" length of cut (LOC) * Shank & Flutes: Straight shank with a 4-flute design * Coating: Bright finish (Custom performance coatings remain available upon request) Don't let material defects compromise your quality. Its Application Specialists are ready to show you how this proven reamer can deliver clean, precise holes with true off-the-shelf convenience. Find the Application Specialist for your region HERE or contact GWS Tool Group at 877-497-8665, [email protected] to claim your test tool now. Find your. Perfect tool. Tool filter. Search from over 30,000 standard products for a tool that meets your needs. Custom quote. Can't find what you're looking for? No problem. GWS Tool Group'll make it for you.