Production, Operations Supervisor

A well-established heavy industrial manufacturer in southeastern Ohio is seeking an experienced Production / Operations Supervisor to join its Zanesville manufacturing operation.

This is a highly visible hands-on leadership position responsible for directing the day-to-day activities of a melt shop production crew. The Operations Supervisor serves as the primary operational leader for the facility during assigned shifts and particularly during nights weekends and other off-hours functions as the site commander for operations.

The ideal candidate will bring strong manufacturing operations experience proven frontline leadership capabilities and the ability to make sound decisions in a demanding heavy-industrial environment. Previous experience in steel aluminum foundry melting metals processing or a similar heavy-manufacturing operation is highly desirable but is not required.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide direct leadership coaching mentoring and day-to-day direction to melt shop employees.
  
• Oversee approximately 710 employees per shift and ensure the crew operates safely efficiently and productively.
  
• Serve as the primary operational decision-maker during assigned shifts particularly on nights weekends and other periods when senior plant leadership may not be onsite.
  
• Spend approximately 7080% of the shift on the manufacturing floor maintaining a visible and hands-on leadership presence.
  
• Assign daily work responsibilities and ensure employees understand production priorities and expectations.
  
• Lead shift kickoff/huddle meetings covering safety previous-shift performance current production requirements priorities and work assignments.
  
• Coordinate effective shift hands offs and communicate relevant production issues to incoming leadership and crews.
  
• Monitor day-to-day melt shop operations and respond appropriately to operational issues as they arise.
  
• Coach employees on performance safe work practices teamwork accountability and operational expectations.
  
• Approve employee timecards and ensure accurate reporting of hours worked.
  
• Complete shift reports operational paperwork and other required documentation.
  
• Work closely with the Melt Shop Process Lead Operations Manager Plant Manager and other functional leaders.
  
• Support the facilitys safety culture and reinforce safe operating practices throughout the shift.
  
• Participate in continuous-improvement activities KPI management visual management and other operational improvement initiatives.
  
• Develop employees and build bench strength through coaching mentoring and identification of future leadership talent.
  

The position is deliberately hands-on: approximately 80% of the supervisors time is expected to be spent on the floor rather than behind a desk.

• Strong manufacturing operations experience preferably within a heavy-industrial environment.
  
• Demonstrated experience supervising leading coaching or directing production employees.
  
• Strong people-leadership skills with the ability to establish accountability while building effective relationships with hourly employees.
  
• Ability to make operational decisions independently and confidently during off-shifts when other plant leaders may not be onsite.
  
• Comfortable working in a physically demanding heavy-manufacturing environment.
  
• Strong communication organizational and problem-solving skills.
  
• Ability and willingness to work a 4-on/4-off 12-hour shift schedule.
  
• Willingness to maintain a highly visible presence on the manufacturing floor.
  

Strong operations and people-leadership experience are the primary requirements. Direct melting experience would be highly valued but the hiring team specifically indicated that it is not a deal breaker for an otherwise strong operations leader.

Preferred Experience

Candidates with backgrounds in the following environments would be particularly relevant:

• Steel manufacturing
  
• Aluminum manufacturing
  
• Foundry operations
  
• Melt shops
  
• Metals processing
  
• Iron or ductile iron manufacturing
  
• Other heavy-industrial manufacturing environments
  

Experience with Lean manufacturing Six Sigma continuous improvement KPI management daily huddles or visual management systems is beneficial. The organization currently uses KPIs strategic-deployment practices monthly Gemba walks huddle meetings and continuous-improvement resources while continuing to develop its Lean capabilities.