Furnace Supervisor

1. Job Purpose

Responsible for the overall supervision and daily operation of the Furnace section, ensuring safe, stable, and efficient furnace operations while meeting production, quality, delivery, and productivity requirements.

The role is responsible for leading the furnace team, maintaining process discipline, ensuring adherence to work instructions and quality requirements, and driving continuous improvement in furnace operations.

2. Key Responsibilities

A. Furnace Operations & Production Management

. Supervise and coordinate daily furnace operations

. Coordinate production priorities and ensure timely completion of furnace batches to support downstream processes and customer delivery.

. Monitor furnace downtime and coordinate with Maintenance for breakdown recovery.

B. People Management & Team Supervision

. Lead, supervise, and allocate manpower for daily furnace operations.

. Monitor attendance, punctuality, discipline, and work performance of furnace operators.

. Develop operators and technicians through on-the-job training, coaching, and cross-training.

. Build a cohesive and collaborative team culture within the furnace section.

. Address interpersonal, attendance, and disciplinary issues promptly and appropriately.

. Ensure effective communication and collaboration with Engineering, Maintenance, and other departments.

C. Process & Quality Control

. Ensure all furnace processes are performed according to approved Work Instructions, Control Plans, SOPs, and process specifications.

. Monitor critical furnace parameters such as temperature profile, gas flow, pressure, atmosphere, cycle time, and other applicable process conditions.

. Review furnace process records and ensure accurate and timely documentation.

. Investigate furnace-related quality issues and work with Maintenance/Process teams to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.

D. Safety & Compliance

. Ensure all furnace operations comply with company safety requirements, SOPs, and applicable regulatory requirements.

. Ensure operators are properly trained and authorized before performing furnace-related tasks.

. Maintain good housekeeping, 5S, and safe material handling practices in the furnace area.

E. Equipment & Maintenance Coordination

. Monitor furnace equipment condition and identify abnormalities during operation.

. Coordinate with Maintenance and Process for preventive maintenance, breakdown repairs, and equipment improvement.

. Support troubleshooting of furnace-related equipment and process issues.

. Ensure proper completion of equipment checklists and maintenance records.

F. Productivity & Continuous Improvement

. Identify opportunities to reduce furnace downtime, waiting time, rework, scrap, and other operational losses.

. Participate in improvement projects related to furnace loading, process optimization, automation, material handling, and manpower productivity.

. Support implementation of digitalization, data collection, MES, and equipment monitoring initiatives where applicable.

3. Required Qualifications & Experience

. Diploma or equivalent qualification in Engineering, Manufacturing, Mechanical, Materials, or a related discipline.

. Minimum 5 years of experience in manufacturing/production, preferably with experience in heat treatment, sintering and furnace operations.

. Minimum 5 years of supervisory/team leadership experience is preferred.

. Experience in operating or supervising industrial furnaces is highly preferred.

. Good understanding of production control, quality systems, and manufacturing processes.

. Able to interpret process parameters, production data, and technical documentation.

. Good problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.

. Good communication and interpersonal skills.

. Able to lead a team and manage operational and disciplinary matters.

. Able to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment

4. Preferred Technical Knowledge

. Heat treatment/sintering processes

. Temperature profiling and thermocouple management

. Root Cause Analysis / 8D / CAPA

. SPC and process monitoring

. 5S and Lean Manufacturing

. MES / production data monitoring

. Occupational safety and risk assessment