Shift Foreman

Job Summary

The Shift Foreman is responsible for leading and coordinating all pellet mill production activities during an assigned shift. This role ensures that safety, quality, and productivity goals are met by managing operators, responding to equipment issues, and maintaining process continuity. The Shift Foreman acts as the point of contact for maintenance, logistics, and plant leadership, ensuring shift operations run smoothly and in alignment with standard operating procedures.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Supervise and coordinate pellet mill production activities and team members on the assigned shift.
• Monitor production output, quality, and equipment performance to ensure shift goals are met.
• Conduct shift startup meetings and communicate daily production goals and safety messages.
• Respond to equipment issues, product flow disruptions, and mill alarms; escalate to maintenance when needed.
• Perform basic troubleshooting and support operators with mechanical or procedural questions.
• Ensure team members follow safety procedures, PPE usage, and environmental compliance protocols.
• Conduct periodic inspections of the mill area, walkways, bagging stations, and conveyors to identify hazards or operational inefficiencies.
• Complete shift logs, production reports, and downtime tracking; communicate shift handoff status to incoming foreman or plant leadership.
• Train and coach new or less experienced team members in pellet mill processes and safety expectations.
• Assist with enforcing plant rules and conduct initial investigations for minor incidents.

Qualification Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required; vocational/technical training preferred.
• 3+ years of experience in a manufacturing or industrial production environment; 1+ year in a lead or supervisory role preferred.
• Familiarity with pellet mill machinery, conveyors, packaging systems, and process controls.
• Basic mechanical troubleshooting and team coordination skills.
• Strong communication and leadership presence in a production environment.
• Must be able to work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays as required.
• Candidates should possess some experience in a control room setting.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Working knowledge of industrial production processes, safety standards, and quality control.
• Ability to coordinate work priorities and adapt to changing production demands.
• Clear communication skills and ability to lead, coach, and discipline fairly.
• Basic computer skills for logging shift data and email communication.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and make sound decisions in real time.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to stand, walk, climb, bend, and work on elevated platforms for extended periods.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds and work in dusty, hot, or cold environments.
• Must be able to visually monitor machine indicators and respond quickly to alarms or system changes.
• Must be able to wear required PPE, including hard hats, hearing protection, safety glasses, steel-toed boots, and respirators (if required).