Hot End Supervisor

About the Role

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 serves the locomotive, shipping, mechanical press, oil and gas, and compression markets from four facilities in Pennsylvania.

This exempt, full-time position at our Sharon, PA facility involves supervising the operation of our unique multi-directional forging press and heat treat work centers. The Hot End Supervisor will have indirect ownership over operational management, focusing on productivity and employee development, while leading safety, quality, engagement, and due date performance initiatives. Strategic involvement in new product launches and capacity expansion is also expected.

Responsibilities

• Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Compliance
  • Ensure the team follows all ECG safety policies and procedures, maintaining a "visit-ready" status.
  • Promote a zero-injuries approach by identifying and mitigating risks.
  • Ensure compliance with environmental requirements for the facility and work center.
  • Lead organization and housekeeping projects to maintain a presentable and efficient workplace.
  • Identify ergonomic improvements and "no-touch" tooling opportunities to minimize workplace injuries.
• Quality
  • Ensure the team adheres to all ECG quality policies and procedures, maintaining an "audit-ready" status.
  • Promote a Zero-Defect continuous improvement approach to identify and mitigate risks.
  • Communicate quality improvement opportunities.
  • Lead or participate in quality reviews and corrective action procedures with engineers and supervisors.
  • Develop and implement standardized work practices with input from the forging team and engineering staff.
• Human Resources
  • Build and maintain positive employee relations, including timely communication of department metrics and addressing employee concerns.
  • Lead employee training and qualification development.
  • Conduct annual performance evaluations and establish developmental goals for direct reports.
  • Develop staffing strategies aligned with work-center load and lead recruitment efforts with ECG Human Resources.
• Operations
  • Develop, maintain, and communicate forging and heat treat schedules in collaboration with the ECG operations management team.
  • Ensure the team meets due date performance targets through leadership and technical support.
  • Collaborate with ECG Maintenance to develop and sustain preventive maintenance plans and best practices.
  • Develop and sustain a structured entry and shift hand-off process for accurate process metrics collection.
• Finance
  • Identify and implement continuous improvement processes for productivity gains in the Hot End work centers.
  • Identify opportunities to reduce setup and changeover times on forge furnaces and presses.
  • Maximize throughput with minimal impact on operating expenses.
  • Extend the lifespan of dies and furnace consumables.
  • Reduce operating expenses through collaboration with plant management, purchasing, and finance teams.
• Customer
  • Provide input during engineering reviews for new products, including print and run documentation, press movement, and execution plans.
  • Contribute to new equipment installation and acceptance criteria, including bid packages and capacity expansion proposals.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 3+ years of managerial or supervisory experience.
• Knowledge of hydraulic systems and associated controls.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize between development projects and daily responsibilities.
• Results-oriented with a strong desire to succeed.
• Solid verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong math skills.
• Ability to transfer knowledge and train others in best practices.
• Thorough understanding of forging and thermal manufacturing processes.
• Ability to layout and stage parts as required.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and finding better ways of doing things.
• Ability to work well in a team and independently.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to organize and prioritize a variety of projects.

Physical Requirements

• Occasional lifting of up to 40 pounds and frequent lifting of up to 30 pounds.
• Frequent sitting, standing, reaching, and climbing.
• Occasional walking, crawling, and squatting.
• Physical demands classified as Light-Medium.