Furnace Tender

The Furnace Tender is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of the annealing process while ensuring product quality, equipment reliability, and adherence to customer specifications. This position plays a critical role in maintaining production flow by operating and monitoring industrial furnaces, coordinating shift activities, supporting maintenance initiatives, and providing leadership within the annealing department.

The Furnace Tender serves as the primary point of contact for annealing operations during assigned shifts and is responsible for ensuring all work is performed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with company procedures, quality standards, and environmental regulations.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Furnace Operations and Process Control

• Operate, monitor, and adjust furnace parameters, temperatures, cycle times, and operating settings in accordance with product specifications and established work instructions.

• Follow QT-9 work instructions and all documented operating procedures to ensure product quality and process consistency.

• Monitor furnace performance throughout production cycles and take corrective action when deviations occur.

• Verify proper loading configurations and furnace schedules to maximize throughput and maintain product integrity.

• Ensure all annealing operations meet customer requirements, quality standards, and production schedules.

Production Coordination and Leadership

• Coordinate activities between incoming and outgoing shifts to ensure effective communication of production status, equipment conditions, quality concerns, and operational priorities.

• Provide day-to-day oversight of the annealing area and assist in directing the work activities of furnace loaders and packers.

• Monitor workflow and staffing requirements to ensure production objectives are achieved safely and efficiently.

• Assist with loader and packer responsibilities as necessary to support production demands and customer delivery requirements.

• Promote teamwork, accountability, and adherence to established operating procedures.

Quality Assurance

• Monitor and verify the quality of materials throughout the annealing process.

• Inspect loaded furnace trays and completed product to ensure compliance with customer specifications and internal quality standards.

• Identify, investigate, and report quality concerns, process deviations, and non-conforming material.

• Ensure loaders and packers properly follow loading, unloading, packaging, and handling procedures.

• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality, productivity, and process efficiency.

Equipment Maintenance and Troubleshooting

• Perform assigned autonomous preventive and predictive maintenance activities.

• Conduct routine inspections of furnaces and related equipment to identify potential mechanical or operational issues.

• Troubleshoot process and equipment problems and perform minor repairs when appropriate.

• Escalate significant equipment issues to maintenance personnel and assist in corrective actions as required.

• Support efforts to improve equipment reliability and operational efficiency.

Documentation and Reporting

• Complete all production, quality, maintenance, and operational documentation accurately and in a timely manner.

• Enter annealing production, scrap, rework, and downtime information into the ERP system.

• Maintain accurate production records.

• Support environmental compliance initiatives, including monthly reporting requirements.

• Maintain records in accordance with company quality management system requirements.

Facility Oversight and Safety

• Serve as the primary operational contact during assigned shifts, including weekends, holidays, and plant shutdown periods.

• Monitor facility conditions and respond appropriately to operational concerns or emergencies.

• Ensure compliance with all company safety policies, OSHA regulations, environmental requirements, and work instructions.

• Promote a safe work environment by enforcing proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), safe material handling practices, and ergonomic guidelines.

• Ensure all furnace operators, loaders, and packers adhere to established safety procedures when operating furnace systems.

Position Requirements

Education and Experience

• High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent required.

• Previous manufacturing experience required; heat-treating, annealing, furnace operation, or metal processing experience preferred.

•Experience working in a fast-paced production environment preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong mechanical aptitude with the ability to troubleshoot equipment and process issues.

• Ability to read, interpret, and follow work instructions, production schedules, loading diagrams, packing specifications, and quality standards.

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality work.

• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and adapt to changing production requirements.

• Effective verbal and written communication skills.

• Demonstrated leadership abilities and willingness to assist and guide fellow team members.

• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.

• Basic computer proficiency and ability to accurately enter and retrieve information from ERP systems.

• Forklift certification or experience required; must be willing and able to complete training if needed.

• ERP system experience preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to frequently lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds.

• Ability to occasionally lift and maneuver materials exceeding 70 pounds with assistance or approved lifting devices.

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, stoop, reach, and perform repetitive movements throughout a scheduled shift.

• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with exposure to elevated temperatures, moving machinery, noise, and industrial equipment.

• Ability to wear required PPE, including safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, steel-toe footwear, and other protective equipment as required.

Diversity & Inclusion Statement

UPG Electrical is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce.