Casting Production Supervisor

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Duties/Responsibilities

• Supervise daily aluminum casting operations, including melting, furnace operation, molten metal handling, casting, trimming, finishing, and material movement activities.

• Ensure production schedules are achieved while maintaining safety, quality, cost, and delivery targets.

• Monitor and control critical casting parameters such as melt temperature, metal chemistry, die temperatures, cycle times, and casting yields.

• Lead and support production teams operating casting cells, furnaces, robotic equipment, trimming presses, and finishing operations.

• Coordinate alloy changes, product changeovers, and startup activities to minimize downtime and maximize productivity.

• Work closely with Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, and Tooling departments to resolve casting defects, equipment issues, and process variations.

• Analyze and reduce casting defects including porosity, shrinkage, inclusions, cold shuts, misruns, and dimensional nonconformities.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on scrap reduction, yield improvement, cycle time optimization, and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).

• Ensure compliance with all foundry safety standards related to molten aluminum handling, lockout/tagout, confined space entry, PPE requirements, and environmental regulations.

• Monitor labor utilization, production performance, downtime events, and key manufacturing metrics; develop corrective action plans when targets are not achieved.

• Support implementation of Lean Manufacturing, 5S, TPM, and continuous improvement programs throughout the casting operation.

• Conduct daily production meetings and communicate plant goals, safety concerns, quality issues, and production priorities to team members.

• Develop and mentor employees through training, performance management, and succession planning activities.

• Coordinate preventive maintenance activities on furnaces, casting machines, conveyors, trimming equipment, and auxiliary systems to ensure equipment reliability.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Metallurgy, Industrial Technology, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• Minimum 3–5 years of supervisory experience in an aluminum casting, foundry, die casting, permanent mold, or high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of aluminum melting, casting processes, metal flow characteristics, and casting quality requirements.
• Experience managing furnace operations, molten metal safety procedures, and casting process controls.
• Knowledge of casting defect analysis, root cause investigation, corrective actions, and quality systems.
• Familiarity with automotive manufacturing standards, APQP, PFMEA, Control Plans, and IATF 16949 requirements preferred.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and team-building abilities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Experience utilizing ERP/MES systems and production reporting tools.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, 5S, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Ability to make sound decisions under pressure while balancing safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work in a high-temperature manufacturing environment with exposure to molten aluminum, furnaces, and industrial equipment.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), including heat-resistant clothing, face shields, gloves, hearing protection, and safety footwear.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the production area.
• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to climb stairs, ladders, platforms, and access elevated work areas.
• Ability to bend, squat, kneel, and reach during inspections and troubleshooting activities.