Supervisor, Production I

Rex Materials of Virginia, LLC; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Alkegen is seeking a Plant Supervisor to lead operations on the 4:00 PM – 2:30 AM shift. You will oversee batching, casting, drying, and finishing, ensure schedules are met, and coordinate with maintenance to minimize downtime.

The role emphasizes safety, quality, and continuous improvement with hands-on coaching of a diverse hourly workforce. You will monitor key metrics such as throughput, yield, and scrap, drive lean initiatives, and collaborate with Quality, Engineering, and Shipping to

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required; Associate’s degree or higher preferred.
• 3–5+ years of manufacturing experience in a process-driven environment.
• Minimum 1–2 years in a supervisory or lead role.
• Experience in refractory, casting, ceramics, or similar processes preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all production processes across the plant during the 4:00 PM – 2:30 AM shift.
• Ensure execution of daily production schedules across batching, casting, drying, secondary processing, and finishing.
• Monitor throughput, bottlenecks and labor allocation.
• Coordinate with Maintenance to address downtime and prioritize repairs.
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of operators, leads, and material handlers.
• Conduct start-of-shift and end-of-shift meetings, including safety and production updates.
• Train employees on standard work, quality requirements, and safe practices.
• Monitor attendance, performance, and discipline consistent with company policy.
• Enforce all plant safety rules, PPE requirements, and safe work practices.
• Identify inefficiencies and implement process improvements.
• Drive improvements in yield, scrap reduction, and cycle times.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Partner with Quality, Engineering, and Shipping to ensure product flow and on-time delivery.
• Ensure proper staging of materials for next shift readiness.

Skills

Leadership

Problem solving

Communication across shifts

Multistage production processes

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Associate’s degree or higher preferred

3–5+ years manufacturing experience

1–2 years supervisory/lead experience

Job description

Job Requirements

Why Work for Alkegen? Alkegen brings together two of the world’s leading specialty materials companies to create one new, innovation-driven leader focused on battery technologies, filtration media, and specialty insulation and sealing materials. Through global reach and breakthrough inventions, we’re delivering products that enable the world to breathe easier, live greener, and go further than ever before. With over 60 manufacturing facilities with a global workforce of over 9,000 of the industry’s most experienced talent, including insulation and filtration experts, Alkegen is uniquely positioned to help customers impact the environment in meaningful ways. Alkegen offers a range of dynamic career opportunities with globe-spanning reach. From production operators to engineers, technicians to specialists, sales to leadership, we’re always looking for top talent ready to bring their best. Come grow with us!

Key Responsibilities

• Production Leadership
• Oversee all production processes across the plant during the 4:00 PM – 2:30 AM shift
• Ensure execution of daily production schedules across operations such as batching, casting, drying, secondary processing, and finishing
• Monitor throughput, bottlenecks (e.g., drying cycles, curing constraints), and labor allocation
• Coordinate with Maintenance to address equipment downtime and prioritize repairs
• Quality
• Ensure in-process inspections and final quality checks are completed per control plans
• Address non-conforming product, initiate containment, and support corrective actions
• Maintain proper traceability and production records
• Team Supervision & Development
• Lead, coach, and hold accountable a team of operators, leads, and material handlers
• Conduct start-of-shift and end-of-shift meetings, including safety and production updates
• Train employees on standard work, quality requirements, and safe practices
• Monitor attendance, performance, and discipline consistent with company policy
• Safety & Environmental Compliance
• Enforce all plant safety rules, PPE requirements, and safe work practices
• Ensure safe handling of raw materials, molds, and finished goods
• Investigate incidents and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence
• Promote a strong safety culture and housekeeping standards
• Process Control & Continuous Improvement
• Monitor key process variables (mix ratios, forming consistency, drying conditions, etc.)
• Identify inefficiencies and implement process improvements
• Support Lean initiatives (waste reduction, 5S, standard work)
• Drive improvements in yield, scrap reduction, and cycle times
• Cross-Functional Coordination
• Partner with Quality, Engineering, and Shipping to ensure product flow and on-time delivery
• Ensure proper staging of materials for next shift readiness
• Communicate shift performance, issues, and priorities during shift handoff

Qualifications

• Education & Experience
• High School Diploma or GED required; Associate’s degree or higher preferred
• 3–5+ years of manufacturing experience in a process-driven environment
• Minimum 1–2 years in a supervisory or lead role
• Experience in refractory, casting, ceramics, or similar processes strongly preferred

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership and ability to manage a diverse workforce on off-shift hours
• Hands‑on problem solver with ability to make real‑time decisions
• Knowledge of multi‑step production processes (batching, forming, drying, finishing)
• Strong communication skills across shifts and departments
• Familiarity with production metrics and reporting (scrap, throughput, OEE)

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand/walk for extended periods across the plant
• Ability to lift up to [30–50 lbs] as needed
• Comfortable working in a manufacturing environment with heat, dust, and noise

Work Environment

• Manufacturing facility with multiple production stages and material handling
• 4:00 PM – 2:30 AM schedule, with occasional overtime or weekend support
• High interaction with hourly workforce and hands‑on floor presence required

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Production output vs. schedule attainment
• Scrap and rework rates (casting/forming defects, drying failures)
• First-pass yield
• Safety incidents and near-misses
• On‑time completion of production orders
• Labor efficiency per shift

If you are interested in being part of a world class production function here at Alkegen then we would love to hear from you. At Alkegen, we strive every day to help people – ALL PEOPLE – breathe easier, live greener and go further than ever before. We believe that diversity and inclusion is central to this mission and to our impact. Our diverse and inclusive culture drives our growth & innovation, and we nurture it by actively embracing our differences and using our varied perspectives to solve the complex challenges facing our changing and diverse world.

Employment selection and related decisions are made without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, nation of origin, religion, color, gender identity and expression, age, disability, education, opinions, culture, languages spoken, veteran’s status, or any other protected class.

Alkegen is a specialty materials leader serving mission‑critical systems that the world is focused on for the future, including: battery technologies, electric vehicles, filtration media, and specialty insulation materials that enable customers to reduce fossil fuel consumption, save energy, and live greener. We help people breathe easier, live greener and go further than ever before. Our experience speaks for itself. We are a vertically integrated manufacturer with the global reach and talent to solve your most demanding applications. With 60 manufacturing facilities and 9,000+ highly skilled employees located around the world, we can solve any challenge. Dedicated to sustainability and human health, we are uniquely positioned to help customers impact the environment in meaningful ways.