Shift Manager - Caster Operations

U. S. Steel is an integrated steel producer committed to delivering high-quality steel solutions safely, reliably, and responsibly. Our employees work together to support customers, strengthen operations, and build the future of steelmaking through disciplined execution, innovation, and continuous improvement.

The Shift Manager - Caster Operations is responsible for providing hands-on leadership and direction for all assigned continuous casting operations. This role coordinates the safe, efficient, and economical operation of the Caster while supervising the operating crew and making timely decisions to address technical and non-technical production issues with limited direction from other managers.

The Shift Manager ensures production plans are executed in accordance with safety, quality, cost, reliability, and delivery expectations. The role monitors material flow and equipment performance throughout the casting process, reinforces standard operating practices, responds to process or equipment disruptions, and partners with Maintenance, Quality, Melt Shop, and other support teams to sustain stable operations and product quality.

Qualified candidates must be able to engage teams and promote an environment of respect, communication, accountability, and collaboration. The Shift Manager is expected to encourage two-way communication, welcome new ideas and different perspectives, and create the conditions for individual, team, and company success.

Responsibilities:

• Administer the U. S. Steel safety program to maintain a safe work environment, including compliance with safety requirements, effective safety conversations, and proper housekeeping throughout the Caster area.
• Coordinate, organize, and direct the activities of the assigned operating crew to safely meet production, quality, cost, and delivery objectives.
• Supervise union-represented employees and work closely with vendors, contractors, Maintenance, Quality, Melt Shop, and other operating departments.
• Monitor all stages of continuous casting operations to ensure standard quality and operating practices, procedures, and guidelines are consistently followed.
• Oversee material flow and equipment operation associated with ladle arrival, tundish and mold operations, strand control, cooling, cutting, product identification, and transfer of cast product to downstream operations.
• Implement the production plan by coordinating staffing, material movement, operating priorities, and equipment availability to meet customer specifications, quality requirements, and delivery commitments.
• Respond to casting disruptions, process deviations, equipment malfunctions, and product quality concerns; make timely operating decisions and coordinate resources to restore safe and stable production.
• Assist employees in diagnosing machinery and equipment malfunctions and coordinate repairs or corrective actions with Maintenance and technical support resources.
• Reduce unit downtime and improve the performance and reliability of Caster equipment through disciplined operating practices, effective problem solving, and follow-through on corrective actions.
• Develop, implement, and reinforce operating methods and procedures designed to eliminate recurring problems, improve cast product quality, and strengthen process consistency.
• Monitor production results and key operating indicators, including safety performance, throughput, delays, yield, quality events, and equipment downtime, and take action when performance is outside expectations.
• Lead and support root cause analysis, continuous improvement, and cost-saving initiatives that improve safety, quality, productivity, reliability, and operating cost.
• Provide coaching, feedback, and day-to-day direction to employees; reinforce accountability, teamwork, respectful workplace expectations, and consistent execution of standard work.
• Perform administrative activities such as scheduling crews, managing attendance and coverage, completing production reports, documenting shift activity, conducting safety conversations, and compiling other required reporting.
• Communicate shift status, production priorities, equipment conditions, safety or quality concerns, and open action items through effective shift turnover and cross-functional coordination.
• Due to the nature of our business, our facilities operate 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year. This position requires rotating shift work and may include extended workdays, weekends, holidays, and additional coverage as operational needs require.

Requirements:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience supervising operating or production crews required..
• Demonstrated ability to lead employees in a hands-on manufacturing environment and make sound decisions with limited direction.
• Strong commitment to safety, quality, operational discipline, respectful leadership, and employee engagement.
• Effective communication, problem-solving, organizational, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to work effectively with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, vendors, contractors, and plant leadership.
• Level and compensation will be based on experience.
• Prior experience in continuous casting, melt shop operations, primary steelmaking, or a related heavy manufacturing process.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working rotating shifts, including extended workdays, weekends, and holidays
• Prior experience supervising union-represented employees or comparable military leadership experience.
• Working knowledge of caster equipment, material flow, production planning, quality controls, equipment troubleshooting, and continuous improvement methods.
• Experience using production reporting systems and performance data to manage throughput, downtime, yield, quality, and cost.

Key Success Measures:

• Safe, compliant, and reliable operation of the Caster and consistent reinforcement of housekeeping and operating standards.
• Execution of the production plan while meeting quality, delivery, throughput, yield, and cost expectations.
• Reduced operating delays and downtime through timely decision-making, effective troubleshooting, and strong cross-functional coordination.
• Improved employee engagement, accountability, capability, and consistency through visible leadership, coaching, and clear communication.
• Sustained product quality and process discipline through adherence to standard practices and effective response to deviations.