Production, Operations Supervisor

Zanesville, United States

A well-established heavy industrial manufacturer in southeastern Ohio is seeking an experienced Production /
Operations Supervisor tojoin 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 forthe 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, ora similar heavy-manufacturing operation is highly desirable but is not required.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide direct leadership, coaching, mentoring, and day-to-day direction to meltshop employees.
• Oversee approximately 7–10 employees per shift and ensure the crew operates safely, efficiently, and productively.
• Serveas 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 70–80% 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.
• Leadshift 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 facility's 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% ofthe supervisor's time is expected to be spent on the floor rather than behind adesk.

• Strong manufacturing operations experience, preferably within a heavy-industrial environment.
• Demonstrated experience supervising, leading, coaching, or directing productionemployees.
• Strong people-leadership skills with the ability to establish accountability while building effective relationships with hourly employees.
• Abilityto make operational decisions independently and confidently duringoff-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 thehiring 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
• Metals processing
• 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.