Focus On: Manufacturing Careers and New Job Leads in NE Ohio

Manufacturing is alive, well and growing in NE Ohio, and recent media stories have outlined the need for even more trained machinists, welders and robotics operators with an aptitude for computers, problem solving, and math to fill jobs that are going wanting in our region.  The Plain Dealer’s excellent article http://tinyurl.com/7sxbb9a from Sunday January 29th tells the story of manufacturing’s transformation in our region:  the growing field of “advanced manufacturing” processes rely on strong computer skills and agility with technology, robots and a continual learning mindset. 

Manufacturing is my personal passion, and there’s tremendous satisfaction in being part of a company that makes things, and makes them world class.  To transform raw materials into parts that make planes fly, diagnose and repair diseases, transport families and goods, create energy to power communities, and build spaces where we work, play and live is a gratifying career indeed.  Problem solving skills are not only critical, they’re required on a daily basis – if you love a challenge and solving puzzles, manufacturing is a hands-on vocation that’s anything but abstract. 

Every step of the way, one can touch the production line, from raw materials, equipment and work in process to the finished goods that are sent off from your loading docks, carefully packed in a crate and shipped to an anxious customer.  At the receiving end, that customer expects perfection, not to mention on-time delivery, when that carton arrives.  It’s gratifying to know you’re a part of a process that can set your company apart within its industry, and at the same time, become known as a supplier that your customer relies on to earn a world-class reputation.

Below is a list of Cleveland-area manufacturers with current job opportunities, as well as other statistics about industrial careers in NE Ohio.

Some specialties within manufacturing in NE Ohio:
Precision metalforming, casting, welding, tooling, assembly and extrusion, production machining, quality inspection, inventory/materials management, logistics, warehousing and maintenance

Facts about manufacturing careers here in NE Ohio:
Advanced manufacturing careers pay around $54,000 a year on average and the average manufacturing wage is 23% greater than all other wages (source:  www.thinkmfg.com)

Team NEO's quarterly Cleveland Plus Economic Review shows that by 2015, Northeast Ohio’s manufacturing GRP is expected to outpace that of the United States by nearly 10%. Emerging sectors, such as specialty chemicals and fabricated metal manufacturing are driving this growth. (source:  http://tinyurl.com/7aoq2y6)

The State of Ohio reported on Jan 20 that for 2011, manufacturing added 18,300 jobs throughout the Buckeye State from the prior year. (source, Ohio Jobs and Family Services http://tinyurl.com/7tuvlge)

In a November 2011 press release, Team NEO's CEO Tom Waltermire noted that manufacturing GRP accounts for more than 18% of output in Northeast Ohio compared with only 12% of the nation’s output.  Additionally, he stated that the region’s manufacturing employment continues to grow – up 2.5% from Q2 and up 3.7%, or 8,000 jobs, year-over-year.  (source:  http://tinyurl.com/7aoq2y6)

What qualifications do you need for a career in manufacturing?
Advanced manufacturing jobs usually require special training, from short-term skill certifications to advanced degrees.  For hourly positions, a high school degree and additional vocational certifications or apprenticeships are needed.  And as nearly all employers conduct these, one must be able to pass a drug test and background check at any level of employment.

Who is currently hiring in NE Ohio? 
Many local manufacturers, and staffing companies, who are seeking hourly, technical and production staff use www.ohiomeansjobs.com.  Jobseekers can use the location and radius search features to find positions near a specific community, or within a certain driving distance in the NEOhio region.  This week, here’s just a sampling of larger employers who have posted new hourly and salaried positions:

Avery Dennison has numerous manufacturing positions (finishing operator, converting technician, converting and coating operators) in Mentor and Painesville and extrusion operators in Concord – apply at:  http://tinyurl.com/83mo487

Diebold in North Canton has dozens of fresh postings including engineers, maintenance technicians, product managers, software engineers, business analysts, client service, and quality at https://diebold.taleo.net/careersection/2/joblist.ftl

EnerSys in Cleveland has several postings for a production worker, a manufacturing technician and also a quality coordinator at http://tinyurl.com/75277qm

Lincoln Electric has over 20 new opportunities (auditor, engineering, welding, SAP Sales, IT, purchasing, accounts payable, security guard and more) at http://tinyurl.com/6wpnp7m

Manitowoc Company in Cleveland has posted five new positions (supply chain, lab technician, technical service + training, mechanical engineer and operations manager) in the last few weeks at http://careers.manitowoc.com/search/

Nestle has several openings for 2nd and 3rd shift electronics mechanic at its facility in Solon; for a general maintenance technician and also a warehouse loader in Cleveland; apply at http://careers.nestleusa.com/apply.html

Republic Steel is hiring maintenance technicians, base hourly rate of $21, at its Canton plant:  http://tinyurl.com/7ttfqt5

Rockwell has posted 3 dozen new jobs in its Mayfield Village and Twinsburg locations at http://tinyurl.com/6lutatf

Swagelok is hiring for inspectors, machinists and machine operators in Solon; apply at http://tinyurl.com/6vcpund

Tremco in Beachwood and Cleveland has numerous postings including customer service reps, maintenance technician, inventory control, controller, installer, buyer at http://jobsearch.monster.com/jobs/?co=xtremcox&re=3101

Kelly Blazek shares job search and work success tips in her blog, http://kellyblazek.wordpress.com and is a frequent speaker on creating more powerful resumes and LinkedIn profiles.  A Six Sigma Green Belt, she is available for one-on-one resume review consultations and is also a manufacturing communications advisor.  Contact her at kblazek@gembacomms.com.