Hot End Supervisor

Ellwood Crankshaft Group (ECG) is the world's leading manufacturer of large, one-of-a-kind, multiple-throw crankshafts. ECG's products and services include crankshafts and eccentrics used in mechanical stamping presses, reciprocating air and gas compressors, reciprocating pumps, engines, mechanical shears, rock crushers, homogenizers and other miscellaneous applications. ECG services the locomotive, shipping, mechanical press, oil and gas and compression markets.

Today, ECG has four facilities throughout PA. We are currently seeking a full-time Hot End Supervisor at our facility in Sharon, PA. to assist in the operation of our unique multi-directional forging press and heat treat work-centers. This exempt position will have indirect ownership over the operational management of this department with a focus on productivity and employee development. The Hot End Supervisor will also be responsible for leading safety, quality, engagement and due date performance initiatives as well as strategic activities through involvement in new product launches and capacity expansion. The Hot End Supervisor is, therefore, required to have a strong understanding of ECG’s unique forging and heat treat processes and excellent analytical and organizational skills to coordinate timely execution of production requirements through the work-center’s operational resources. The Hot End Supervisor will report directly to the Plant Manager. Duties and responsibilities of this position are dynamic and may change over time due to business needs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 3 years managerial or supervisory experience.
• Knowledge of hydraulic systems and associated controls.
• Strong analytical skills and demonstrated problem-solving abilities.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office programs.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize between development projects and daily responsibilities.
• Must be results oriented with a strong desire to succeed.
• Solid verbal and written communication skills.

• Strong math skills.
• Must have the ability to successfully transfer knowledge and train others in best practices.

• Thorough understanding of forging and thermal manufacturing processes.
• Understanding and ability to layout and stage parts as required.
• Desire for continuous improvement – ability to find better ways of doing things.
• Ability to work well with a team while also working independently.
• Detailed oriented ability to organize and prioritize variety of projects.

RESPONSIBILITIES WILL INCLUDE:

The Hot End Supervisor is responsible for managing the press and heat treatment work centers, as well as its team of operators within the 6 elements of the business including but not limited to:

• Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Compliance

• Ensure the team is always following all ECG safety policies and procedures and maintaining a visit ready status.
• Ensure the team is functioning with a zero injuries approach to identify and mitigate risks.
• Ensure the team is functioning with the environmental compliance requirements for the facility and work center.
• Lead organization and housekeeping projects to ensure a presentable and efficient workplace.
• Lead identification of ergonomic improvements and “no-touch” tooling opportunities to minimize risk of workplace injuries.

• Quality

• Ensure the team is always following all ECG quality policies and procedures and maintaining an audit ready status.
• Ensure the team is functioning with a Zero-Defect continuous improvement approach to identify and mitigate risks.
• Ensure communication of quality improvement opportunities.
• Lead or participate in quality reviews and corrective action procedures in coordination with engineers and supervisors.
• Lead the development and implementation of standardized work practices through input and ownership from the forging team and engineering staff.

• Human

• Build and maintain positive employee relations among colleagues at this facility, including providing timely communication and business updates about department metrics and function as well as addressing employee concerns, issues, and work needs.
• Lead development of employee training and qualification.
• Conduct annual performance evaluations and establish developmental goals for direct reports.
• Develop staffing strategy in line with work-center load and lead recruitment efforts in collaboration with ECG Human Resources.

• Operations

• Develop, maintain, and communicate the forging and heat treat schedules in collaboration with the ECG operations management team.
• Ensure the team is meeting due date performance targets by providing leadership and technical support to the Hot End team.
• Collaborate with ECG Maintenance to develop and sustain preventive maintenance plans and best practices and ensure the team’s adherence to the same.
• Develop and sustain a structured entry and shift hand-off process for collection of accurate process metrics.

• Finance

• Identify and implement a continuous improvement process on productivity gains in the Hot End work-centers.
• Identify opportunities for reduction in setup and changeover times on the forge furnaces and press.
• Identify opportunities for maximizing throughput with minimum impact on operating expenses.
• Identify opportunities for extended lifespan of dies and furnace consumables.
• Identify opportunities for reducing the operating expenses of the work-centers through collaboration with plant management, purchasing and finance teams.

• Customer
• Provide input during engineering reviews for new products including but not limited to print and run documentation reviews, press movement, run execution plans etc. to ensure first time right execution in coordination with lead engineers and operations team.
• Provide input for new equipment installation and acceptance criteria, including development of bid packages and capacity expansion proposals where necessary.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• This position will require occasional lifting of up to 40 pounds and frequent lifting of up to 30 pounds.  This position will also require frequent sitting, standing, reaching and climbing.  It will also include occasional walking, climbing, crawling and squatting.  The physical demands for this job are Light-Medium.