Operator, Furnace

Al Ittefaq Steel Products Co.; Dammam; On-site; SAR 60,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Al Ittefaq Steel Products Co. is seeking an operator to manage heat sequence execution and charging operations in the Dammam furnace area.

You will ensure billets move correctly from the grid to the pusher, maintain proper inter-billet gaps, and monitor temperatures during charging and soaking phases. The role requires strict adherence to safety procedures, accurate data recording, and effective coordination with furnace and maintenance teams to prevent deviations and ensure smooth production

Qualifications

• Basic education as indicated in the requisition header.
• Experience in furnace charging operations preferred.
• Follows strict heat sequence and safety guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Operate the charging table and charging roller table to move billets from the billet grid to the pusher loading position.
• Charge billets into the furnace with correct inter-billet gap and heat sequence.
• Visually inspect billets for bending, cracks, or identification mismatch; report non-conforming billets.
• Record charging data and fill the furnace billet charging report with heat numbers, billets charged, and deviations.
• Monitor furnace temperatures from thermocouples and report abnormal readings to supervisor.
• Maintain clear communication with furnace operators, billet handling, and maintenance teams.
• Perform routine checks on charging equipment and keep area free of hazards.
• Follow lock-out/tag-out procedures before any interventions near moving parts.

Skills

Heat sequence control

Charging table operations

Safety procedures

Data recording

Education

Primary School

Job description

Requisition ID10302-Posted08/11/2026-DAMMAM-Experience 1-10 Years-Primary School

• Heat sequence execution and charging control
• Receive and review the dailyheat‑wise charging sequence planfor the designated furnace including heat numbers, steel grades, billet sizes and quantity per heat.
• Operate thecharging table and charging roller tableto bring billets from the billet grid to the pusher loading position, following strict heat sequence and avoiding mixing of heats.
• Operate thecold billet pusherto charge billets into the furnace at the defined inter‑billet pitch and maintaining the required inter‑billet gap to ensure correct residence time and uniform heating.
• Visually verify each billet for obvious bending, cracks, or identification mismatch before charging; segregate and report non‑conforming billets.
• Charging data recording and reporting
• Fill in thefurnace billet charging reportaligned with the heat sequence plan:
• Record time of first billet and last billet of each heat arriving at the pusher position
• Record total number of billets charged per heat
• Record number of short/separator billets and reusable (re‑chargeable) billets
• Ensure all deviations from the sequence (out‑of‑order charging, heat changes, billet shortages) are documented and communicated to production and billet handling.
• Process and temperature monitoring (front‑end)
• Monitor indicatedfurnace temperaturesfrom thermocouples at the charging zone and soaking zones as displayed on local indicators or SCADA, and immediately report any abnormal readings (over/under temperature, sensor failure).
• Coordinate with the Senior Furnace Operator regarding any required adjustments to charging rate due to furnace temperature deviations, fuel issues, or mill stoppages.
• Communication and coordination
• Maintaincontinuous communicationwith:
• Furnace Discharging (Ejector) Operator for sequence alignment and heat change identification
• Main Pulpit Operator for mill stoppages.
• Billet Handling Office for any shortage or imbalance between heats
• Immediately inform the Senior Furnace Operator / Shift‑in‑Charge of any abnormal mechanical, electrical, or gas supply issues affecting charging.
• Equipment care and basic housekeeping
• Perform basic operator‑level checks on the charging table, charging roller table, and pusher (unusual noises, vibrations, misalignment, oil leaks, chain slack, broken rollers) and report any abnormalities to mechanical maintenance.
• Keep the charging grid and surrounding area free from loose scale, discarded packing, and obstructions that may interfere with billet movement or create slip/trip hazards.
• Safety and emergency response
• Strictly followlock‑out/tag‑out (LOTO)and isolation procedures before any intervention requiring contact with moving parts (chains, rollers, pusher mechanisms).
• Stop charging immediately and secure the area in any of these cases:
• Mill line stoppage or cobble downstream
• Uncontrolled billet movement, dropped billet, or suspected mechanical failure
• Participate in emergency drills related to gas leaks, fires, and furnace trip scenarios as defined by EHS and Loss Prevention

Safety & Housekeeping:

• Supportfurnace shutdown activitiesby assisting in safe removal of residual billets from the charging grid and ensuring the charging equipment is cleared and parked in safe position.
• Assist theSenior Furnace Operator and Furnace Foremanin data collection for root cause analysis (5‑Whys, Ishikawa) related to charging‑side stoppages, billet sequencing errors, or yield losses.
• Participate intoolbox talks (TBT) and refresher trainings related to furnace operation, material identification, lock‑out/tag‑out, and safe lifting/handling near the charging area.
• Provide on‑the‑job guidance to new operators or helpers assigned to the charging area under supervision of the Furnace Foreman