Supervisor - Firing/Kiln Department

CoorsTek; Golden (CO); On-site; USD 73,000 - 97,000; Full time

Job summary

CoorsTek is seeking a Supervisor for the Firing/Kiln Department in Golden, CO. This role leads a 24/7 operation of kilns, furnaces, and ovens, ensuring safety, quality, and on-time delivery while coaching firing technicians.

The ideal candidate has strong leadership in high-temperature manufacturing, experience with kiln systems, and the ability to analyze performance data to drive continuous improvement in throughput and uptime.

Qualifications

• Minimum High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Experience leading teams in a kiln/thermal processing/manufacturing environment preferred.
• Strong knowledge of safety, quality, and throughput in 24/7 operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and direct firing department staff to ensure safe, efficient operation of kilns, furnaces, and ovens.
• Serve as primary operational leader for a continuous 24/7 firing operation.
• Collaborate with Maintenance, Engineering, and Operations to troubleshoot and improve kiln performance.
• Monitor performance, schedules, and workload to meet production commitments.
• Coach and mentor team leads on leadership and communication.

Skills

Leadership

Manufacturing operations

Problem solving

Education

High School Diploma

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

It's exciting to work for a company that makes the world measurably better.We're committed to bringing safety, quality, and customer focus to the business of advanced ceramics manufacturing.Job TitleSupervisor - Firing/Kiln DepartmentResponsible for leading the safe, efficient, and continuous operation of the Firing Department within a 24/7/365 manufacturing environment. Directs the activities of firing technicians and operators while ensuring kiln, furnace, and oven operations consistently meet production, quality, safety, and on-time delivery requirements. Provides hands-on leadership and technical expertise in ceramic firing processes, combustion systems, kiln operation, preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, and equipment reliability across multiple kiln and furnace types.Roles and Responsibilities:Lead and direct the activities of firing department employees and team leads to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable operation of kilns, furnaces, ovens, and associated firing equipment while meeting quality, throughput, and on-time delivery requirements.Serve as the primary operational leader for a continuous 24-hour, 7-day-per-week, 365-day-per-year firing operation, providing support and escalation for critical equipment and production issues.Partner with Production Planning to develop firing schedules, kiln loading strategies, staffing plans, and workflow priorities to meet customer demand and production commitments.Monitor kiln performance, firing cycles, combustion systems, temperature profiles, and equipment utilization to ensure product quality and operational efficiency.Coordinate with Maintenance, Engineering, and Operations teams to troubleshoot equipment issues, plan preventative maintenance activities, and improve kiln reliability and uptime.Provide consistent and timely feedback, coaching and mentoring to employees on development, performance and conductMonitor, review and approve employee time records in a consistent and timely mannerMonitor and execute departmental budget, reporting variances to leadershipTrain and coach employees on department work instructions, processes, procedures and policiesCoach and mentor team leads on leadership skills such as communication, results, accountability, etc.Partners with appropriate leader to forecast expected business based on past history, current orders and anticipated businessPartner with others to drive improvement projects/initiativesWears required personal protective equipment at all times in areas where mandatoryJob Requirements:Education:High School Diploma or equivalentExperience:Four (4) years demonstrated leadership experience; relevant manufacturing environment preferredExperience supervising employees in a kiln, furnace, thermal processing, ceramics, refractories, metals, glass, or similar high-temperature manufacturing environment strongly preferred.Demonstrated experience operating, troubleshooting, maintaining, or supporting industrial kilns, furnaces, ovens, combustion systems, and related thermal processing equipment.Lean/ Six Sigma experience preferredExperience supporting continuous 24/7 manufacturing operations preferred.Functional/Technical Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:Strong knowledge of industrial kiln, furnace, oven, combustion, and thermal processing systems.Demonstrated understanding of ceramic firing processes, firing cycles, temperature control systems, combustion principles, and product quality requirements.Ability to identify, troubleshoot, and resolve production and equipment-related issues in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.Knowledge of preventative and predictive maintenance practices related to firing equipment and associated systems.Ability to provide and receive verbal and written instructionsIntermediate math (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, decimals and fractions)Intermediate computer skills including Microsoft Office suite,Business acumen including ability to interpret data and identify trends to impact positive business outcomesDemonstrated leadership and coaching/mentoring abilityAbility to resolve conflict in a professional mannerMust exhibit attention to detail as well as excellent listening, verbal and written communication skillsMust be able to work with a diverse variety of people from different cultures and backgroundsTarget Hiring RangeAnnual Salary: USD 73,342.00 - USD 96,811.00Actual compensation is commensurate with experience, skills and education. CoorsTek strives to give all qualified applicants equal opportunity and to make selection decisions on job related factors. Do not provide any information on the application which will indicate your race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by law or regulation.If you like working for a company that makes a real difference in the world, you'll enjoy your career with us!