Clow Valve - Melt and Materials Lab Supervisor

SmartRecruiters, Inc.; Oskaloosa (IA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

McWane, Inc. is seeking a Lab Supervisor to lead iron melt production and ensure high-quality metal casting through testing and evaluating raw materials, charge mixes, and castings.

The role requires strategic planning, resource alignment, and effective communication with internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Excel.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with induction furnaces/holder, Autopour equipment and pouring ladles.
• CNC programming and molten metal handling experience desired.
• Ability to analyze data and identify improvement opportunities.
• Proficient in root cause analysis; manufacturing and casting knowledge a plus.

Responsibilities

• Oversee production control and sustainability, coordinating resources for iron melt and pour operations.
• Lead department meetings, promote safety and quality standards, and mentor staff.
• Ensure high-quality materials and maintain accurate data for weekly/monthly reporting.
• Drive process improvement by testing equipment, analyzing trends, and implementing best practices.

Skills

Microsoft Office Suite

Excel

Written & verbal communication

Induction Furnaces

Autopour equipment

Pouring ladles

CNC programming

Molten metal handling

Root Cause Analysis

Manufacturing & casting knowledge

Education

Associates degree (2-year)

Leadership experience in manufacturing

Metallurgical Engineering degree

Engineering/Technical degree

Job description

The Melt and Materials Lab Supervisor is vital to delivering the best in class products by assuring iron melt production success and high quality metal castings through testing, analyzing, and evaluating all raw materials, charge mixes, samples, and castings, and by effectively communicating results with internal and external relationships.

Key Performance Indicators:

Leadership Experience: Conduct weekly department toolbox and strategy sessions 100% of the time.

Continuous Improvement: 100% on-time completion and communication of hourly and weekly reports to support production efficiency, equipment reliability and material management.

Sustainability: Maintain 100% integrity of ASTM metal performance, certifications.

Core Functions of Position:

Production Control and Sustainability (30%): Strategically plan, by communicating with the general foreman, and managing available resources for the melting and pouring of iron. Create team member alignment by determining priorities, creating team assignments, and clearly communicating. Ensure all needed resources are available to meet production needs and uphold quality standards by managing daily material flow and monitoring parts needed. Thinking critically and analyzing situations to make necessary adjustments in the schedule and resources due to customer needs, inventory discrepancies, and available work force.Examine and diagnose equipment, facilitating rebuilding furnaces, ladles, pour boxes as well as troubleshoot discrepancies while documenting progress and results. Diligently test and carefully audit functionality of equipment daily to ensure ease of production flow. Guarantee quality and integrity of materials through strong comprehension and application of sampling procedures. Implement and report in-house standardization of equipment by utilizing already established procedures to produce daily, weekly, and monthly reporting. Proactively coordinate preventive maintenance of all equipment to ensure calibration, standardization, and uptime of all lab equipment before scheduled deadlines. Understand, adjust and document melt recipes and charge mixes to improve quality and sustainability.

Leadership:(30%): Effectively communicate and translate safety and quality standards to staff to ensure clarity is reached throughout the department. Facilitate daily startup meetings with workforce while promoting safety and unity. Astutely listen to employees’ professional needs while coaching and empowering staff to optimize and elevate their competencies. Identify and mentor high-potential workers and maximize their capabilities by discussing and forging career paths that align with employees’ interests and professional goals.

Administrative (20%): Ensure high-quality materials are being delivered through melting and pouring processes and a clear comprehension of the molding system. Leverage relationships with external labs by coordinating, communicating, and verifying results. Effectively collaboratewith sand and metal distributors to facilitate material quality success. Manage and record generated data for accurate weekly and monthly reporting while maintaining a high level of organization. Keep precise count of inventory and submit requisitions when needed.

Process Improvement (20%): Generate best practices and equipment by fully testing and thoroughly analyzing all equipment to guarantee safety, quality, and efficiency. Monitor equipment trends and utilize information to make astute recommendations that improve productivity. Ensure department stays relevant with industry material trends by collaborating with Engineering, continually seeking higher learning, and transfer knowledge to employees.

Qualifications

Technical Skills:

Microsoft Office Suite, Excel specifically.

Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Understanding and Experience with Induction Furnaces/holder, Autopour equipment, pouring ladles.

Experience in CNC programming and molten metal handling is desired.

Ability to analyze date and identify improvement opportunities.

Proficient in Root Cause Analysis.

Manufacturing and casting knowledge a plus.

Education & Experience:

Required:

2-3 years of leadership experience in manufacturing operations including lead person, leadership trainee and/or growth opportunities

OR

2-year Associates Degree with 2+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment.

Highly Preferred

Bachelor’s Degree in Metallurgical Engineering with 1 to 3 years of manufacturing experience within a leadership role

OR

Bachelor’s Degree in Technical/Engineering Discipline with 1 to 3 years of manufacturing experience within a leadership role.

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
McWane is a Federal VEVRAA contractor, and an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing equal employment opportunity in all employment practices. McWane will not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, veteran or service member status, marital status, citizenship status (In IL - sex, including same sex, ancestry, order of protection status, physical or mental disability, military status, pregnancy, unfavorable discharge status, genetic information), (In IA - gender identity), (In CA- gender identity or expression, and genetic information) or any other category protected by federal, state or local law.