Cast House Leader: Drive Safety, Quality & Efficiency

Kaiser Aluminum; Kalamazoo (MI); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Kaiser Aluminum in Kalamazoo, MI, is seeking a Cast House Manager to lead all casting operations. The role focuses on safety, quality, throughput, and cost management while driving continuous improvement through Kaiser Production System (KPS) principles.

You will mentor technicians and leaders, enforce strict EHS and 5S standards, and partner with maintenance, engineering, and quality teams to meet delivery targets. A bachelor's degree and 5+ years in heavy manufacturing leadership are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business or industrial management, metallurgy, engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership with responsibility for safety, quality, productivity, and employee development in a heavy manufacturing environment.
• Working knowledge of Quality Management Systems (e.g., ISO 9001, IATF 16949).
• Demonstrated understanding of manufacturing processes and operations.
• Experience applying Lean Manufacturing, KPS, or similar continuous improvement systems to reduce waste and improve performance.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills with employees, leaders, customers, and support functions.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and drive results in a fast-paced team environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Cast House team to achieve safety, quality, productivity, cost, and delivery objectives.
• Drive efficient operation of the casting process and effective utilization of raw materials to achieve throughput, yield, and scrap performance targets.
• Develop technicians and leaders through training, coaching, and accountability.
• Establish, maintain, and continuously improve department procedures, operating standards, and work processes.
• Lead root cause problem solving and implement sustainable corrective actions using KPS principles and tools.
• Partner with Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and other departments to achieve safety, quality, productivity, and reliability objectives.
• Safety and environmental targets are met; internal and customer quality targets are achieved.
• Casting throughput and productivity goals are met; scrap and material utilization targets are achieved.
• Employee engagement, retention, and development objectives are met.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical

Problem-solving

Communication

Prioritization

Education

Bachelor's degree in business or industrial management, metallurgy, engineering, or related technical field

Job description

Kaiser Aluminum in Kalamazoo, MI, is seeking a Cast House Manager to lead all casting operations. The role focuses on safety, quality, throughput, and cost management while driving continuous improvement through Kaiser Production System (KPS) principles.

You will mentor technicians and leaders, enforce strict EHS and 5S standards, and partner with maintenance, engineering, and quality teams to meet delivery targets. A bachelor's degree and 5+ years in heavy manufacturing leadership are required.