SIFCA / Hardcast Supervisor

Company Summary

Wahl Refractory Solutions is an industry-leading provider of innovative precast refractory solutions serving the Steel, Nonferrous, and Minerals Processing industries. Wahl develops proprietary refractory formulations that are manufactured at its facility in Fremont, Ohio. The company has a long history of delivering groundbreaking refractory technologies that have been adopted by customers worldwide.

Job Summary

The SIFCA/Hardcast Supervisor is responsible for leading frontline production teams within the PCD area of the manufacturing operation.

Area Overview:

• Make sure Safety Checks are up to date and performed daily (Fork lifts and cranes).
• In this position the Supervisor should be able to read the schedules and give personnel directions and / or sequence the day to day.
• Ensure raw materials are available and/or on schedule for the next production day.
• Sequence the next day for the department.
• Follow up to make sure scheduled is completed.
• Make sure supplies for the department are reordered in time.
• This position interacts with the RPD and Forms/Turnkey Supervisors.

The Supervisor ensures the department meets organizational expectations related to safety, quality, productivity, and cost control, while maintaining a clean, organized, and properly equipped work environment.

This role translates daily and weekly production plans into effective shop floor execution, coordinating personnel, equipment, and materials to meet operational goals.

The Supervisor provides direct leadership, coaching, and oversight of production employees, ensuring work is performed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with company procedures and quality standards.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following is an outline of the basic duties and responsibilities of the above-titled position. It describes the duties and responsibilities in the broad scope, and is not intended to be all-inclusive, and does not constitute a contract of employment. Individual(s) in this position may from time-to-time be assigned other duties as appropriate.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Adhere to all Wahl health and safety policies and ensure all required safety training remains current.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable processes and procedures defined by Wahl’s Quality Management System.
• Maintain a professional work environment with strong attention to housekeeping and organization.
• Ensure all tools, machinery, measurement devices, and testing equipment are maintained in a clean, secure, and organized manner.
• Monitor equipment condition and coordinate maintenance or repairs when necessary.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of product information, specifications, and all proprietary or trade secret information.

Shift operations management

• Supervise daily production activities during assigned shifts.
• Ensure production targets are met safely and efficiently while maintaining product quality standards.
• Assign work and coordinate production schedules to maximize operational efficiency.
• Monitor workflow, staffing levels, and material availability to maintain uninterrupted production.
• Identify equipment maintenance or repair needs and escalate as appropriate.
• Respond to customer emergency orders and production priority changes as required.
• Maintain housekeeping standards in RPD and Small Shapes production areas and materials storage locations, including cleanup of material spills and ensuring proper waste disposal.
• Escalate operational issues to the Production Supervisor when necessary.

Team supervision and coaching

• Lead, direct, and support production operators during assigned shifts.
• Conduct daily shift meetings and safety briefings.
• Provide hands-on coaching, performance feedback, and identify training opportunities for team members.
• Manage employee attendance, scheduling, and shift coverage.
• Address employee performance and behavioral issues in accordance with company policies.

Safety and compliance

• Enforce company safety policies, procedures, and safe work practices.
• Ensure proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Investigate incidents, injuries, and near-miss events and participate in corrective action implementation.

Quality assurance

• Ensure adherence to established quality standards and manufacturing procedures.
• Monitor product inspections and production process controls.
• Identify product defects or process issues and implement corrective actions.

Performance monitoring

• Track and monitor daily production performance metrics.
• Complete shift reports and production documentation accurately and timely.
• Identify operational performance gaps and implement corrective measures.

Continuous improvement

• Identify and recommend process improvements that increase safety, quality, or operational efficiency.
• Support the implementation of new processes, technologies, or equipment within the production environment.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the education, training, knowledge, experience, skill, and/or ability required.

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Technical certification, associate degree, or relevant college coursework preferred.
• Minimum 3 - 5 years of experience in a manufacturing or production environment.
• Prior supervisory, team lead, or leadership experience preferred.
• Strong communication, leadership, and conflict resolution skills.
• Working knowledge of workplace safety practices and quality standards.
• Experience with ERP systems or production tracking software preferred.
• Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.).

Language & Communication Skills

• Fluency in English required.
• Ability to read procedures, technical drawings and prints, manuals/specifications and other documents in English.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here represent those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

• Regularly required to stand, walk, and use hands to handle tools or materials.
• Frequent reaching, bending, and manual handling.
• Ability to lift up to 65 pounds as needed.

Work Environment

• Work is performed primarily in a manufacturing environment.
• Exposure to airborne particles, dust, and industrial materials may occur.
• Noise levels may range from moderate to occasionally loud due to operating equipment.
• Regular exposure to varying temperatures, including heat and cold typical of industrial production facilities.