R&D Furnace Team Manager -Southern NH

Outokumpu Careers

11d

About The Position

As a global leader in Stainless Stee, we are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Furnace Team Manager to join our R&D team in Southern New Hampshire.
Area: Southern NH.
Objective: We are seeking a skilled and collaborative R&D Furnace Team Leader to oversee daily operations of pilot-scale (1-3ton) melting, refining, and casting activities within our R&D facility. This position is responsible for supervising furnace operators and coordinating melting, refining, and casting trials involving chromium, ferrochrome, and related materials. The Furnace Team Leader will schedule and execute furnace campaigns in close coordination with research scientists, development engineers, and maintenance personnel to ensure safe, consistent, and high-quality operations aligned with experimental objectives.Operating at the intersection of research and production, this role requires both technical understanding and strong communication skills to translate research parameters into executable operational plans. The R&D Furnace Team Leader will ensure that each trial run whether exploratory or process optimization is carried out efficiently, safely, and with precise data capture for subsequent analysis.This position reports directly to the Operations Manager and works closely with the science and engineering teams to maintain pilot plant readiness, equipment reliability, and experimental flexibility.

Requirements

• Technical diploma or degree in Metallurgy, Mechanical, or Manufacturing Engineering (or equivalent experience).
• At least 5 years of experience in manufacturing or industrial environment, with a strong background in foundry or ferro-alloy operations or similar
• Proven leadership skills, with at least 2-3 years of experience managing or supervising shift teams.
• Knowledge of safety regulations and best practices in manufacturing environments.
• Experience in the ferrous foundry industry or similar heavy manufacturing environments.
• Strong knowledge in SAP.
• Proficiency with production management systems and reporting tools
• Proficiency with basic computer applications (Microsoft Office) and data reporting.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple teams and stakeholders.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders
• Strong understanding of foundry or metallurgical processes, equipment maintenance, and safety management systems.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with all health, safety, and environmental regulations when preparing and conducting furnace operations and campaigns with specific regard to appropriate handling of high-temperature materials and metal dusts.
• Supervise and coordinate all furnace operators during furnace melting, refining, and casting operations in pilot-scale trials involving chromium and ferrochrome.
• Schedule and coordinate production and maintenance activities to meet experimental timelines and R&D objectives.
• Monitor the effectiveness of daily operations and implement improvements as necessary to optimize workflow and meet operational goals.
• Collaborate closely with scientists and engineers to interpret test plans, refine process parameters, and ensure operational feasibility.
• Coordinate furnace start-ups, charging, temperature and environment control, and operations while ensuring data accuracy and process traceability.
• Plan and coordinate preventive maintenance, ensuring furnace equipment operates reliably and within specification.
• Record and analyze key performance indicators to support process improvement efforts.
• Promote a culture of technical communication and knowledge sharing between operations staff and the R&D team.
• Support training and development of furnace operators in pilot-scale procedures, data logging, and safe operational practices.
• Promote a culture of safety and accountability, ensuring that all contractors and staff adhere to safety protocols and best practices

Benefits

• Competitive benefit package including health, dental, disability, life and voluntary insurance options.
• Time to recharge through PTO plus paid holidays and parental leave.
• Work-life balance with a flexible work schedule so you can focus on your professional and personal priorities.
• Retirement plan and company matching up to 6%
• Employee Assistance Program.
• An equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: Associate degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees