Area Manager - Melt Shop

MetalJobs Network; Pueblo (CO); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

MetalJobs Network seeks an Area Manager - Melt Shop to lead EAF, LRF and VTD operations, ensuring safety, quality and cost targets. The role directs melt shop supervisors and bargaining unit employees, overseeing union agreements and continuous improvement initiatives.

Candidates should bring 5+ years supervisory experience in heavy manufacturing, with familiarity in a unionized environment and proven leadership in process optimization and reliability initiatives.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership of melt shop teams in heavy manufacturing.
• Strong safety and regulatory compliance focus.
• Experience administering collective bargaining agreements.
• Strong communication and labor relations skills.
• Knowledge of production planning, cost control and metrics.

Responsibilities

• Direct and coordinate melt shop operations (EAF, LRF, VTD) to meet schedules and specs.
• Lead safety-first culture, ensure PPE compliance and environmental rules.
• Coordinate with internal labs to review test results and adjust processes.
• Supervise bargaining unit staff, administer union agreements and manage attendance.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities while maintaining safety and quality.

Skills

Leadership

Safety

Labor relations

Communication

Production planning

Education

Associate degree

Bachelor degree preferred

Job description

Reporting directly to the Superintendent, Steelmaking, the Area Manager - Melt Shop a is responsible for leading the safe, efficient, and high-quality operation of melt shop activities, including Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) steelmaking, Ladle Refining Furnace (LRF) and Vacuum Tank Degaser (VTD) . This role ensures production targets, metallurgical quality standards, and cost objectives are consistently achieved while maintaining a strong commitment to safety and environmental compliance.

The area manager provides direct leadership to melt shop supervisors and bargaining unit employees, administering the collective bargaining agreement, managing workforce performance, and fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement. This position plays a critical role in troubleshooting operational issues, driving Lean/Business System initiatives, and collaborating with Maintenance, Reliability and Technical teams to improve equipment reliability and process performance.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Production Management & Process Optimization - Direct and coordinate daily melt shop operations (EAF, LRF, and VTD) to meet production schedules, tonnage targets, and product specifications. Troubleshoot process and equipment issues, collaborate in root cause failure analysis of defects, delays, and drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimize melt shop performance.

Safety, Compliance & Work Environment - Promote and enforce a safety-first culture by ensuring strict adherence to all safety policies, PPE requirements, job hazard analyses, and environmental regulations. Lead by example in maintaining a safe work environment for all melt shop employees and contractors.

Quality Control & Metallurgical Standards - Ensure molten steel meets required chemical composition, temperature, and metallurgical standards through effective control of refining practices and process parameters. Coordinate with internal lab teams to review test results, make process adjustments, and ensure compliance with customer and quality specifications.

Labor Relations & Team Leadership - Supervise and develop bargaining unit employees in alignment with the collective bargaining agreement. Administer union agreements, manage grievances (Step 1 and 2), monitor attendance, assign work, and foster a high-performance, team-oriented culture focused on accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement.

Cost Management - Manage melt shop operating costs, including alloys, electrodes, refractories (EAF and Ladle), consumables, and utilities. Identify cost-saving opportunities while maintaining safety, quality, and production requirements.

Maintenance Coordination & Equipment Reliability - Partner with maintenance and reliability teams to troubleshoot equipment issues, schedule repairs, and improve reliability of EAF, LRF and VTDand supporting systems. Focus on minimizing downtime and maximizing equipment uptime.

Capital Projects & Operational Improvements - Support and lead capital projects (AFEs) related to melt shop, automation, and quality improvements. Provide frontline input to ensure projects align with operational needs and drive measurable performance gains.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Associates degree required, bachelors degree preferred in metallurgical engineering, materials sciences, mechanical engineering or related fields.
• Minimum of 5 years of supervisory experience in heavy manufacturing, steel manufacturing preferred
• Minimum 5 years of experience in melt shop operations preferred
• Experience leading teams in a unionized environment preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• In-depth understanding of EAF steelmaking, and secondary metallurgy.
• Working knowledge of metallurgical principles, steel chemistry, and quality standards
• Strong leadership, communication, and labor relations skills, including experience administering collective bargaining agreements
• Ability to drive a safety-first culture and ensure regulatory compliance
• Proficiency in production planning, cost control, and performance metrics management