Polyurethane Foam Panel Continuous Production Supervisor

1. Role Summary

We are looking for an experienced and technically sharp Production Supervisor to take full responsibility for the day-to-day performance of our continuous polyurethane (PU) foam panel manufacturing line. You will be the single point of accountability for output quality line efficiency team safety and shift discipline across a team of labourers machine technicians and quality checkers.

This is a hands-on leadership role — you will be on the floor solving problems in real time coaching your team and driving measurable improvements in line efficiency scrap reduction and throughput. If you have deep PU foam process knowledge thrive in production environments and know how to get the best out of a diverse shift team this role is built for you.

Production Management — Continuous Line

• Oversee the entire continuous PU foam panel production line including decoiling high-pressure foaming double-belt lamination cutting and stacking — ensuring daily output targets are met to specification and on schedule.
• Monitor process variables such as foam temperature mixing pressure conveyor speed foam density panel thickness and facing adhesion in real time — intervening immediately when parameters drift outside tolerance.
• Manage machine changeovers and material adjustments (e.g. thickness width profile changes) for different customer orders minimising line downtime during transitions.
• Coordinate with the Planning & Logistics team to align production sequences with dispatch schedules raw material availability and custom order requirements.

Team Leadership & Shift Management

• Lead and manage a team of labourers machine technicians and QC checkers across multi-shift operations — assigning tasks managing shift rotas and resolving personnel issues.
• Before each shift ensure all team members are clear on daily production targets quality standards and safety protocols and that their stations are correctly set up and ready to run.
• Mentor and develop team members through structured on-the-job training skill assessments and performance conversations — building a bench of capable cross-trained labourers.

Quality Control & Chemical Integrity

• Enforce first article and in-process inspection routines for all panel specifications including PIR/PUR density compressive strength dimensional accuracy and surface finish. Any deviation must be caught and corrected immediately before it propagates down the line.
• Monitor raw material mixing ratios (polyol and isocyanate) closely to ensure the desired foam characteristics are consistently achieved.
• Inspect finished panels and quarantine any items that do not meet specifications; maintain accurate records of foam density panel thickness and edge quality.
• Investigate and root-cause non-conformances (NCRs) scrap events or customer complaints; implement corrective actions and document findings.
• Maintain compliance with ISO 9001 QMS procedures and support internal audits as required.

Safety & Maintenance Leadership

• Enforce all HSE policies on the production floor including PPE compliance chemical handling (isocyanates polyols) Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures and emergency response protocols.
• Conduct daily safety walks and toolbox talks — building a zero-incident culture across all shifts.
• Work with the maintenance team to perform and coordinate preventive maintenance on the double-belt conveyor cutting system and high-pressure foaming portal — resolving minor faults independently and escalating complex breakdowns promptly to minimise downtime.

Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Prepare daily weekly and monthly production reports covering output volumes downtime events scrap levels and quality metrics; present findings in the weekly operations review.
• Lead 6S initiatives and continuous improvement projects on the shop floor identifying and eliminating waste in material handling changeovers and line stoppages.
• Track shift KPIs including line efficiency scrap rate rework hours and on-time production — using data to drive performance conversations with the team.

• Solid working knowledge of PU foam chemistry: isocyanate/polyol ratios cream time rise time gel time and the impact of temperature and humidity on foam quality.
• Hands-on experience operating and troubleshooting continuous double-belt lamination lines (OMS Cannon Hennecke Kraussmaffei or equivalent).
• Understanding of PIR (Polyisocyanurate) vs. PUR (Polyurethane) panel formulations and their different processing parameters and end-use performance characteristics.
• Familiarity with facing materials: aluminum foil facers glass fleece and their adhesion requirements and handling specifications.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings panel specifications and material data sheets (MDS/TDS).
• Competency in quality measurement tools: digital calipers density cups compression test gauges and surface finish inspection.
• Basic understanding of electrical/pneumatic systems relevant to production line fault diagnosis.
• Proficiency in MS Office and ERP systems (e.g. Odoo SAP or Oracle) for production reporting and record-keeping.

• Education: Diploma or Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Electrical or Chemical Engineering preferred. Equivalent vocational qualifications with strong hands-on experience will be considered.
• Experience: Minimum 5–8 years in a PU foam or insulation panel manufacturing environment of which at least 2–3 years in a supervisory or team leader role managing a production crew.
• Industry: Demonstrable experience on continuous lamination panel lines (sandwich panel production) is strongly preferred.
• Certifications: Basic knowledge of ISO 9001 QMS procedures is sufficient. NEBOSH/IOSH or equivalent HSE certification is a strong advantage.
• Location: Candidates currently based in the UAE or with prior GCC manufacturing experience preferred.
• Leadership: Strong leadership skills with a demonstrated ability to manage a team and work effectively under production pressure.
• Analytical Skills: Ability to analyse production data to identify trends improve productivity and drive cost reduction.

Performance will be reviewed monthly against the following metrics: