Plant Optimization Engineer Jobs in Reno, NV (NOW HIRING)

This a full time, permanent position in Sparks, NV. Hours are M-F, 6am-4pm and will supervise 30 people.

Position Summary: The Casting Plant Manager serves as the strategic and operational leader of the casting department. This role is responsible for overseeing the entire casting operation—from workforce leadership and production planning to quality assurance and inventory control. Reporting directly to senior leadership, the Casting Plant Manager plays a pivotal role in ensuring that all production targets are met safely, efficiently, and in alignment with company standards.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Safety Leadership  Champion and continuously improve a strong safety culture across the casting operation.  Enforce adherence to all safety protocols and regulatory requirements; provide corrective actions and retraining when necessary.  Lead and conduct regular safety training, audits, and toolbox talks.

2. Team Leadership & Supervision  Directly supervise casting personnel in accordance with company policies and regulatory standards.  Collaborate with HR and EHS teams to ensure compliance in staffing, training, and development.  Lead hiring, training, and performance management initiatives within the casting team.

3. Strategic Production Planning & Execution

Develop and execute comprehensive casting schedules aligned with overall production goals.  Monitor in-spec alloy production, and ensure furnaces are operating on optimal cycle times. Oversee the real-time casting process and maintain a strong floor presence (approximately 90% of work hours).  Partner with lab and production staff to identify off-spec material; lead root cause analysis and corrective action implementation.  Review production data and heat reports regularly to assess efficiency, performance, and material costs.  Continuously improve workflows and develop SOPs to enhance operational performance.

4. Quality & Compliance Oversight  Ensure all aluminum alloy outputs meet specified quality standards.  Review and validate environmental and quality documentation daily.  Lead initiatives to improve consistency, reduce waste, and optimize material usage.

5. Inventory & Resource Management  Maintain real-time visibility and accuracy of raw material and finished goods inventories.  Track all materials used in casting and verify output inventory for alignment with production records.

6. Cross-Functional Collaboration  Work closely with Asset Management, Electrical Engineering, and Maintenance teams to support equipment reliability and preventative maintenance programs.  Communicate effectively across departments to align on operational priorities and improvements.

Qualifications:  Minimum 5 years of progressive leadership experience in casting or metallurgical operations.  Proven ability to lead large teams in a dynamic, fast-paced manufacturing environment.  Strong working knowledge of aluminum alloy production and furnace operations.  Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Physical Requirements:  Ability to frequently walk, sit, stand, and lift/move up to 50 pounds. MUST BE COMFORTABLE WORKING IN INDUSTRIAL AND HIGH-TEMPERATURE ENVIRONMENTS