Operations Shift Supervisor

About the role

The Operations Shift Supervisor is responsible for the safe, environmentally compliant, and efficient operations of the spent catalyst recycling facility during assigned shifts. This position provides direct supervision and leadership to operators and support personnel while ensuring production targets, quality standards, environmental requirements, and safety expectations are achieved.

Responsibilities

• Promote and enforce all company safety policies, procedures, and life-critical rules.
• Lead daily safety discussions, toolbox meetings, and pre-job briefings.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, TCEQ and company environmental requirements.
• Authorize and oversee safe work permits, including hot work permits, confined space entry permits, lockout/tagout (LOTO), and line break permits.
• Actively participate in incident investigations, root cause analyses, and corrective action implementation.
• Ensure Job Safety Analyses (JSA’s) are completed, reviewed for accuracy, and verified.
• Ensure plant personnel use proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and exposure monitoring programs.
• Support Emergency Response Team (ERT) readiness by ensuring personnel and equipment are properly staged and available.
• Direct and coordinate all production activities during assigned shift.
• Monitor and optimize catalyst processing operations including receiving, sampling, thermal treatment, pyrometallurgical processing, hydrometallurgical processing, material handling, packaging, and waste management.
• Monitor process conditions and production performance through control systems, instrumentation, and field observations.
• Respond to process upsets, equipment failures, and operational emergencies.
• Drive operational excellence through continuous improvement.
• Supervise, coach, and develop production operators.
• Establish daily work assignments and priorities.
• Conduct performance discussions and provide constructive feedback.
• Support employee training and qualification programs.
• Maintain accountability for attendance, work performance, and policy compliance.
• Participate in disciplinary actions when necessary.
• Foster a culture of teamwork, collaboration, accountability, and operational discipline.
• Ensure production schedules and throughput targets are achieved.
• Monitor product quality and process performance indicators.
• Review operating logs, laboratory results, and shift reports.
• Minimize off-spec material and process losses.
• Support inventory control and material accountability requirements.
• Ensure shift turnover meetings are being held.
• Prepare daily production and operations reports.
• Communicate operational issues and improvement opportunities to management.
• Maintain accurate operating logs and documentation.
• Participate in management meetings and operational reviews.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have a High School Diploma or GED, with an Associate degree in Process Technology, Industrial Technology, Engineering Technology, or related field preferred. Equivalent industry experience may be considered.

• Minimum 7 years of chemical plant, refinery, metals processing, catalyst recycling, or industrial manufacturing experience.
• Minimum 3 years of supervisory or lead operator experience in a continuous process environment.
• Experience with pyrometallurgical, hydrometallurgical, catalyst recycling, hazardous waste, or metals recovery operations preferred.

Skills

• Strong understanding of chemical processing and industrial operations.
• Knowledge of OSHA standards and regulations.
• Knowledge of environmental regulations and hazardous materials handling.
• Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, process flow diagrams, and operating procedures.
• Strong troubleshooting and decision-making skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Computer proficiency including Microsoft Office.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in industrial environments including elevated platforms, confined spaces, and outdoor conditions.
• Ability to wear respiratory protection verified through pulmonary function test and other required PPE.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to walk, climb ladders/stairs, stand, and work extended shifts.
• Ability to work rotating twelve-hour shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays, call-ins and overtime as required.