Job Summary

The Shop Supervisor is responsible for the safe, efficient, and cost-effective execution of refractory service operations at assigned customer locations. This position provides direct leadership to shop and field employees while ensuring exceptional customer service, workforce development, operational excellence, safety compliance, equipment reliability, and achievement of financial objectives.

The Shop Supervisor serves as the primary day-to-day leader at the customer site and is responsible for building a high-performing team through coaching, training, performance management, employee engagement, and continuous improvement initiatives. This position works closely with customers, operations leadership, maintenance personnel, and support functions to ensure MINTEQ products and services are delivered safely, efficiently, and in accordance with customer expectations.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent, under routine supervision, is responsible for:

Leadership & Employee Development

• Directly supervise, coach, mentor, and develop shop and field employees.
• Conduct regular employee performance discussions and provide timely feedback on job performance.
• Support hiring, onboarding, training, cross-training, and retention initiatives.
• Hold employees accountable to safety, quality, attendance, productivity, and behavioral expectations.
• Identify skill gaps and implement development plans to improve individual and team performance.
• Promote employee engagement and foster a positive, inclusive, and accountable work environment.
• Participate in investigations involving safety incidents, policy violations, attendance concerns, and employee relations matters.
• Support succession planning by developing employees for future leadership and technical opportunities.

Safety & Compliance

• Maintain an uncompromising commitment to safety and environmental stewardship.
• Lead daily safety discussions, toolbox talks, audits, and observations.
• Ensure compliance with customer-specific safety requirements, company policies, OSHA regulations, and all applicable laws.
• Conduct incident investigations, determine root causes, and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure employees are fully trained and qualified to perform assigned work safely.
• Track and communicate safety performance metrics, trends, and improvement opportunities.

Operations Management

• Supervise and coordinate daily refractory service operations to meet customer production requirements.
• Ensure labor resources are scheduled appropriately to support operational demands while minimizing unnecessary overtime.
• Monitor production performance, equipment utilization, and service quality.
• Prioritize work activities and allocate resources to maximize efficiency and customer satisfaction.
• Ensure accurate completion of production reports, service documentation, inventory transactions, and operational records.
• Coordinate emergency repairs and unplanned operational needs as required.

Operational Excellence / Continuous Improvement

• Champion MINTEQ Operational Excellence initiatives and continuous improvement culture.
• Lead problem-solving efforts utilizing root cause analysis and Lean methodologies.
• Identify opportunities to reduce waste, improve labor productivity, optimize inventory levels, and increase equipment reliability.
• Develop and implement action plans to address performance gaps.
• Support Kaizen events, standard work implementation, process improvements, and best-practice sharing.
• Utilize key performance indicators (KPIs) to drive decision-making and improve operational performance.

Equipment & Asset Management

• Ensure the safe operation, maintenance, inspection, and repair of MINTEQ-owned equipment.
• Coordinate preventative maintenance programs and equipment reliability initiatives.
• Monitor equipment performance and recommend capital improvements or repairs as necessary.
• Ensure equipment inspections and maintenance records are completed accurately and on time.

Inventory & Cost Management

• Manage inventory control processes, cycle counts, and min/max inventory systems.
• Ensure proper handling, storage, and tracking of materials and consumables.
• Monitor operating expenses and identify cost-reduction opportunities.
• Analyze overtime, equipment costs, inventory variances, and operational expenses.
• Support budgeting and forecasting activities as requested by management.

Customer Relations

• Serve as the primary operational contact for customer representatives and plant leadership.
• Build and maintain strong professional relationships with customers.
• Respond to customer concerns and resolve operational issues in a timely and professional manner.
• Participate in customer meetings and communicate service performance, improvement opportunities, and operational updates.
• Identify opportunities to improve service levels and support business growth initiatives.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Prepare and submit operational, safety, inventory, labor, overtime, and OE reports.
• Maintain employee training records and qualification documentation.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and documentation requirements.
• Utilize company systems for timekeeping, reporting, inventory management, and operational tracking

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Note: Management reserves the right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

The requirements listed in the sections that follow are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or abilities required to perform the duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions (primary duties) of the job.

Qualifications/Requirements

• Minimum five (5) years of experience in refractory services, steel manufacturing, industrial operations, maintenance, or related heavy manufacturing environments.
• Minimum two (2) years of supervisory, team lead, or leadership experience preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to coach, develop, and lead employees in a manufacturing or industrial setting.
• Knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, 5S, PDCA, root cause analysis, or Operational Excellence principles preferred.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting capabilities.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, specifications, equipment manuals, and operational data.
• Strong organizational, planning, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced customer-driven environment.
• Strong customer service and relationship management skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, reporting systems, and operational software applications.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment with minimal supervision.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and be able to travel independently.

Education

• High School Diploma or GED required. 

• Technical, vocational, or industry-specific certifications are preferred.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in industrial manufacturing and steel mill environments with exposure to heat, dust, noise, moving equipment, and varying weather conditions. Employees must comply with all PPE and safety requirements. 

Travel Requirements

• Travel may be required to customer sites, regional operations, training programs, leadership meetings, audits, and operational support assignments.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and be able to travel independently.

Federal Applicant Information