Operations Manager, Casting

Job Summary:  

The Operations Manager is responsible for providing strategic leadership and oversight of all operational functions within the direct chill casting process. This position ensures the effective coordination and execution of safety, quality, productivity, reliability, and continuous improvement initiatives across the entire casting value stream—from the melting of raw materials through the delivery of cast ingots to internal and external customers.

Responsibilities:

• Leadership and Strategy
  • Direct and manage all casting operations to achieve organizational objectives.
  • Develop and implement operational strategies aligned with business goals.
• Safety and Compliance
  • Ensure strict adherence to safety standards and regulatory requirements.
  • Promote a culture of safety and risk mitigation across all casting activities.
• Quality and Productivity
  • Oversee quality assurance processes to maintain product integrity and customer satisfaction
  • Drive productivity improvements through efficient resource utilization and process optimization.
• Reliability and Continuous Improvement
  • Implement reliability programs to minimize downtime and enhance operational performance.
  • Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies.
• Team Development
  • Provide coaching, mentoring, and performance management for team members.
  • Foster collaboration and accountability within the casting operations team.

Qualifications:

• 15+ years aluminum industry experience with at least 8 years in direct chill casting
• Has strong operations knowledge for casting processes, products & technology
• Strong skills related to Lean Transformation & Lean Six Sigma
• Hands-on, willing to spend half the time (eg. 50%) to help on the shop floor
• Four-year technical degree (or other 4-year degree with equivalent industrial experience)

 Dimensions:

The Operations Manager oversees all operational activities within the casting value stream, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and customer requirements. This position has full accountability for safety, quality, productivity, and reliability across the casting process, from melting raw material through ingot delivery. The role requires close collaboration with cross-functional teams, including maintenance, quality assurance, supply chain, and engineering, to optimize performance and drive continuous improvement. The Operations Manager is also responsible for managing budgets, resources, and personnel to achieve operational excellence while maintaining compliance with all regulatory and company standards.

The Operations Manager has significant impact on the organization’s operational performance and financial results. This role is responsible for managing a high-volume production process that directly influences product quality, customer satisfaction, and profitability. The position oversees ~80 employees and manages an annual operating budget of approximately $15 million. Decisions made in this role affect resource allocation, production efficiency, and compliance with safety and environmental standards. The Operations Manager also plays a critical role in driving strategic initiatives that support long-term business objectives and competitive advantage.

The Operations Manager must demonstrate exceptional communication skills to effectively interact with a wide range of stakeholders. This includes:

• Internal Communication: Regular coordination with production teams, maintenance, quality assurance, supply chain, and engineering to ensure operational alignment and resolve issues promptly.
• Leadership Communication: Providing clear direction, feedback, and performance expectations to team members while fostering a culture of transparency and accountability.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Engaging with senior management to report on operational performance, present improvement initiatives, and support strategic decision-making.
• External Communication: Liaising with suppliers and customers to ensure timely delivery, quality compliance, and resolution of any concerns.
• Documentation & Reporting: Preparing detailed operational reports, safety compliance documentation, and performance metrics for internal and external audits.

The Operations Manager faces several critical challenges inherent to the role, including:

• Balancing Priorities: Maintaining safety and quality standards while meeting aggressive production and delivery schedules.
• Process Complexity: Managing a highly technical casting process that requires precision and strict adherence to specifications.

• • Resource Constraints: Optimizing labor, equipment, and material utilization within budgetary limits.
  • Continuous Improvement: Driving operational excellence and cost reduction in a mature manufacturing environment.
  • Change Management: Leading cultural and process changes while ensuring employee engagement and minimizing resistance.
  • External Pressures: Responding to fluctuating customer demand, market conditions, and supply chain disruptions.

About Constellium
With ~1,100 employees, Constellium’s plant in Ravenswood, West Virginia, is one of the world’s largest rolled products facilities, offering customers the most powerful plate stretchers in the world, as well as one of the largest cold rolling mills. Built in 1957, the plant houses 62 acres (about 250,900 m²) of production facilities, and is one of the top 50 businesses in West Virginia. 

We produce plate, sheet, and coil products for aerospace, defense, transportation, marine, and industrial uses. As the global leader in aluminum aerospace technology, we specialize in high performance plates, sheets and extrusions that bring cost and performance benefits to space programs and military and commercial aircraft. Our advanced aluminum products manufactured in the US, France and Switzerland can be found in platforms manufactured by Airbus, Applied Materials, Blue Origin, Boeing, Bombardier, Dassault, Embraer, General Dynamics, LAM, Lockheed Martin, SpaceX and others. The Ravenswood facility is nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, along the Ohio River. It is the largest employer in Jackson County, and one of the top 50 businesses in West Virginia.

A culture of family, community, and hard work runs deep in Jackson County. Located in the western region of West Virginia, it is one of the most productive regions in the state, with Ripley as its county seat and Ravenswood serving as its largest municipality. Ripley sits between the Parkersburg and Charleston metropolitan areas.

The region offers plenty of activities, both open-air and indoors, for a wide range of interests. These include parks, lakes, forests, Civil War trails, golf courses, historical landmarks (covered bridges, a heritage house, a castle), museums and galleries, conference centers, the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences, the Charleston Light Opera Guild, and much more.

Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled

An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without

regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.