Melt Shop Area Manager
Job Summary
Reporting directly to the Superintendent, Steelmaking, the Area Manager - Melt Shop at Rocky Mountain Steel Mills (RMSM) is responsible for leading the safe, efficient, and high-quality operation of melt shop activities, including Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) steelmaking, Ladle Refining Furnace (LRF) and Vacuum Tank Degaser (VTD).
Job Responsibilities
Direct and coordinate daily melt shop operations (EAF, LRF, and VTD) to meet production schedules, tonnage targets, and product specifications.
Troubleshoot process and equipment issues, collaborate in root cause failure analysis of defects, delays, and drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimize melt shop performance.
Promote and enforce RMSM’s safety-first culture by ensuring strict adherence to all safety policies, PPE requirements, job hazard analyses, and environmental regulations.
Lead by example in maintaining a safe work environment for all melt shop employees and contractors.
Ensure molten steel meets required chemical composition, temperature, and metallurgical standards through effective control of refining practices and process parameters. Coordinate with internal lab teams to review test results, make process adjustments, and ensure compliance with customer and RMSM quality specifications.
Supervise and develop bargaining unit employees in alignment with the collective bargaining agreement. Administer union agreements, manage grievances (Step 1 and 2), monitor attendance, assign work, and foster a high-performance, team-oriented culture focused on accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement.
Manage melt shop operating costs, including alloys, electrodes, refractories (EAF and Ladle), consumables, and utilities. Identify cost-saving opportunities while maintaining safety, quality, and production requirements.
Partner with maintenance and reliability teams to troubleshoot equipment issues, schedule repairs, and improve reliability of EAF, LRF, VTD and supporting systems. Focus on minimizing downtime and maximizing equipment uptime.
Support and lead capital projects (AFEs) related to melt shop, automation, and quality improvements. Provide frontline input to ensure projects align with operational needs and drive measurable performance gains.
Education and Experience
Associates degree required, bachelor's degree preferred in metallurgical engineering, materials sciences, mechanical engineering or related fields.
Minimum of 5 years of supervisory experience in heavy manufacturing, steel manufacturing preferred.
Minimum 5 years of experience in melt shop operations preferred.
Experience leading teams in a unionized environment preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Competencies
In-depth understanding of EAF steelmaking, and secondary metallurgy.
Working knowledge of metallurgical principles, steel chemistry, and quality standards.
Strong leadership, communication, and labor relations skills, including experience administering collective bargaining agreements.
Ability to drive a safety-first culture and ensure regulatory compliance.
Proficiency in production planning, cost control, and performance metrics management.
Compensation
$120,000 - $150,000