Forging Manager Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

The Forge Shop Supervisor is responsible for leading the daily operations of the forging department’s 8,000 Ton, 4,500 Ton, and 1,500 Ton Hydraulic Open Die Presses and ancillary equipment along with the various Heat Treat furnaces and ancillary equipment to ensure production goals, quality standards, and safety requirements are consistently achieved. This position supervises Union hourly employees, coordinates workflow with production planning, maintenance, and quality, and promotes continuous improvement while maintaining a safe and productive work environment.

The Supervisor provides hands-on leadership, develops employees, ensures compliance with company policies and collective bargaining agreements, and drives operational excellence through accountability and effective communication.

**This is a 2nd or 3rd shift position only**

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Safety

• Promote and maintain a strong safety culture throughout the department.
• Ensure compliance with all OSHA, company safety policies, and environmental regulations.
• Conduct safety trainings as needed.
• Conduct daily safety start up talks.
• Investigate accidents, incidents, and near misses and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure employees wear required PPE and follow safe work practices.
• Participate in safety audits and corrective action programs.
• Maintain high standards for housekeeping

Production Operations

• Supervise the daily activities of forging and heat treatment operations.
• Assign work to hourly employees based on production schedules and priorities.
• Monitor productivity and make adjustments to maximize efficiency while maintaining quality.
• Coordinate with Production Control to meet customer delivery requirements.
• Minimize downtime by working closely with Maintenance and Engineering.
• Monitor department performance against established KPIs.

Quality

• Ensure products meet customer specifications and quality standards.
• Work closely with Metallurgy and Quality departments to resolve process issues.
• Investigate quality concerns and implement corrective actions.
• Promote continuous improvement initiatives focused on scrap reduction and process capability.

Leadership & Employee Development

• Display an active and consistent presence on the operational floor.
• Supervise, coach, mentor, and develop hourly employees.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing feedback.
• Assist with hiring, onboarding, and training new employees.
• Maintain accountability for attendance, performance, and work quality.
• Administer discipline consistent with company policy and labor agreements.
• Foster teamwork and positive employee relations.
• Collaborate with fellow Supervisors on operational and administrative tasks.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, quality, safety, and cost.
• Participate in Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Recommend process improvements and equipment upgrades.
• Support implementation of new technologies and operating procedures.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate production and labor records.
• Complete shift reports and communicate operational status during shift handovers.
• Monitor overtime and staffing levels.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and work rules.
• Participate in production meetings and cross-functional planning sessions.

Qualifications:

Education

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Associate's degree in Manufacturing, Engineering Technology, Metallurgy, or related field preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of experience in a forging department.
• Minimum 2 years of supervisory or team leadership experience preferred.
• Experience in steel manufacturing, forging, heat treating, or similar heavy manufacturing required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong knowledge of forging operations.
• Working knowledge of industrial heat treatment processes.
• Understanding of steel grades and metallurgical principles.
• Knowledge of industrial furnaces, quenching systems, and process controls.
• Ability to read production schedules, work orders, drawings, and specifications.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and leadership abilities.
• Experience working in a union manufacturing environment preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, CMMS, and ERP/MES systems.
• Ability to lead change and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in a hot, noisy, heavy industrial environment.
• Frequent walking throughout the production facility, frequently on uneven surfaces.
• Standing for extended periods.
• Ability to climb stairs and ladders.
• Occasional lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to wear required PPE, including hard hat, safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, and steel-toed footwear.

Work Environment

• Heavy industrial steel manufacturing environment.
• Exposure to heat, noise, dust, scale, moving machinery, and overhead cranes.
• May require rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, and overtime based on production needs.

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• 401(k) with Company Match & Profit Sharing
• Short-Term Disability & Life Insurance
• 10 Paid Holidays & Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Quarterly Gainsharing and Attendance Bonus
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Union Membership
• Overtime Opportunities
• Career Advancement & On-the-Job Training