Joe Gaudette
About Joe Gaudette
Joe Gaudette is the Production Team Lead for Machining at MTS Systems Corporation, where he has worked since 2016. He oversees a team of 30 machinists, manages material and tooling orders, and focuses on improving shop efficiency through lean practices.
Work at MTS Systems Corporation
Joe Gaudette has been serving as the Production Team Lead for Machining at MTS Systems Corporation since 2016. In this role, he oversees a team of 30 machinists across three shifts in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. His responsibilities include conducting daily reports on efficiency and spindle time usage, ordering materials and tooling, and maintaining standard tooling in stock. Gaudette leads meetings focused on shop efficiency and implements 5S lean practices to enhance operational effectiveness.
Previous Experience in Machining
Before joining MTS Systems, Joe Gaudette worked at several organizations in various capacities. He was a Clean Room Machining Supervisor and 5S/lean process technician at Metro Mold and Design from 2012 to 2015. Prior to that, he served as a Weekend Shift Manager at Versa Die Cast Inc for six months in 2001. Gaudette also has a significant tenure with the US Navy, where he worked as a Machinist from 1984 to 1994 and as a Machinery Repairman from 1988 to 1991.
Education and Certifications
Joe Gaudette studied at Osseo Senior High, where he completed his General Education Diploma from 1980 to 1984. He furthered his education at the US Navy Machine Trade School, focusing on Machine Tool Technology and achieving his Machine Trade certification in 1985. Additionally, he studied Lean Manufacturing at the Manufacturers Alliance of Minnesota, earning a Lean Practitioner Certification in 2015.
Leadership and Team Management
In his current role, Joe Gaudette leads a team of machinists, ensuring they have the necessary materials and tools to perform their tasks effectively. He collaborates with maintenance teams to ensure that all machines are operational. His leadership includes conducting meetings that emphasize shop efficiency and the application of 5S lean practices, which aim to streamline processes and improve productivity.