Melt Shop General Foreman We are seeking a highly driven and operationally focused Melt Shop General Foreman to lead daily Melt Shop operations in a high-production specialty steel environment. This role is responsible for driving production from scrap build through EAF melting, AOD refining, teeming, and bottom-pour ingot production while ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective operations.
The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership abilities, deep melt shop operational knowledge, hands-on maintenance awareness, and the ability to aggressively manage production schedules, manpower, refractory life, furnace availability, and downstream flow. This individual must thrive in a fast-paced, unionized heavy industrial environment and be capable of coordinating operations across multiple departments and shifts.
This role is not a desk-management position the successful candidate must be highly visible on the floor, capable of troubleshooting operational bottlenecks in real time, and able to push production safely while maintaining quality and equipment reliability.
Specific Responsibilities:
Specific primary responsibilities are defined by the following, but those listed are not all-inclusive:
Support Melt Shop Manager
Lead, motivate, manage and direct Melters and hourly staff
Control and improve safety, process consistency, productivity, cost and equipment effectiveness
Enhance safety, morale identify and reduce hazards
Ensure compliance with Safety & Health, Environmental and Quality Policies
Manage, control and coordinate manpower schedules and work assignments
Through example, create a culture driven by: A sense of urgency
Attention to detail
Secure and deploy resources to support Melt Shop
Plan, execute and monitor work
7 day horizon
72 hour detail
Make decisions, solve problems
Achieve production standards, including quality, yields, productivity
Improve efficiency by eliminating non-value added work
Plan and coordinate production schedules to meet "melt on time" requirements
Ensure adherence to standardized processes & practices
Support improvement efforts
Plan and coordinate all operations throughout the melt shop including raw materials through "next operation", maintenance and refractories
Help initiate and drive 5s and Autonomous Maintenance projects
Qualifications:
Strong leadership and problem-solving skills. Good interpersonal communication skills; ability to plan, coordinate, organize, prioritize, and redirect activities to meet goals. Strong detail orientation. Ability to effectively utilize contemporary software and office equipment.
Education and Experience:
Ten-years+ experience in an industrial environment
Minimum 35 years of leadership experience in a supervisory or foreman role
Bachelor's degree in any Management, Business or Trade field
General electrical and mechanical knowledge help with troubleshooting and developing timelines
Experience using Excel and PowerPoint
Preferred Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in: Metallurgical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Industrial Technology
Operations Management
Related technical field
Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma experience
Experience with Level 1 / Level 2 systems, PLCs, or SCADA systems
Knowledge of ESR/VAR operations is a plus
Experience with specialty steel grades and bottom-pour operations strongly preferred
Physical and Other Requirements:
Ability to safely move around a heavy industrial plant environment up to 12 hours per day
Lifting up to 50 pounds on an occasional basis
Ability to work irregular shifts and extended hours as required, and maintain job performance standards
