Job Description

Baker Manufacturing Company, LLC

Foundry Furnace Operator

Department: Deck Department
Reports To: Deck Supervisor
Location: Evansville, Wisconsin
Classification: Full-Time, Hourly, Non-Exempt
Shift: Second Shift
Compensation: $22.00–$27.00 per hour, including the applicable shift differential, depending on experience and qualifications

Work Schedule

Monday through Thursday, 3:00 p.m.–2:30 a.m.

Overtime may be required based on production and operational needs. Friday Overtime as needed. Approximately every eight weeks, Saturday overtime may be required for furnace relining.

Position Summary

The Foundry Furnace Operator is responsible for safely operating and monitoring electric induction furnaces used to melt metal for foundry production. This position prepares, charges, melts, treats, and pours molten metal while maintaining the required temperatures, chemical composition, and production standards.

This is a highly responsible, safety-critical position. The Furnace Operator works directly with molten metal, extreme heat, heavy materials, hazardous equipment, dust, fumes, and other demanding foundry conditions. Exceptional attention to detail, sound judgment, and strict compliance with all operating and safety procedures are required.

Mistakes or failure to follow procedures can result in serious injury or death, fires, explosions, equipment damage, environmental incidents, production shutdowns, substantial financial losses, and risks to employees, the organization, and the surrounding community.

Because the furnace requires continuous monitoring, the Furnace Operator cannot leave the work area or take unscheduled breaks without authorization and appropriate trained relief coverage.

Position Summary

The Foundry Furnace Operator is responsible for safely operating and monitoring electric induction furnaces used to melt metal for foundry production. This position prepares, charges, melts, treats, and pours molten metal while maintaining the required temperatures, chemical composition, and production standards.

This is a highly responsible, safety-critical position. The Furnace Operator works directly with molten metal, extreme heat, heavy materials, hazardous equipment, dust, fumes, and other demanding foundry conditions. Exceptional attention to detail, sound judgment, and strict compliance with all operating and safety procedures are required.

Mistakes or failure to follow procedures can result in serious injury or death, fires, explosions, equipment damage, environmental incidents, production shutdowns, substantial financial losses, and risks to employees, the organization, and the surrounding community.

Because the furnace requires continuous monitoring, the Furnace Operator cannot leave the work area or take unscheduled breaks without authorization and appropriate trained relief coverage.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Operate and continuously monitor electric induction furnaces and related equipment used to melt metal.
• Prepare, charge, melt, treat, and transfer molten metal according to established formulas, specifications, schedules, and operating procedures.
• Select, weigh, and load the correct combination of metals, alloys, and other materials into the furnace.
• Monitor furnace temperatures, power levels, melt conditions, and equipment controls throughout the melting process.
• Take metal samples and temperature readings to verify that required specifications are met.
• Make authorized adjustments to chemical composition and temperature based on test results, specifications, and established procedures.
• Coordinate with foundry employees, supervisors, quality personnel, and other departments to ensure molten metal is available when needed.
• Safely tap, transfer, and pour molten metal using appropriate tools, ladles, equipment, and procedures.
• Inspect furnace linings, coils, controls, cooling systems, cables, and related equipment for signs of wear, damage, leakage, or unsafe conditions.
• Immediately report equipment problems, unusual furnace conditions, spills, leaks, or other safety concerns.
• Assist with furnace relining approximately every eight weeks. Relining is performed outside regular working hours and may require Saturday overtime.
• Remove slag and clean furnaces, pouring areas, tools, and related equipment.
• Maintain accurate production, temperature, material, testing, and furnace-operation records.
• Follow established procedures for furnace startup, shutdown, emergency response, and equipment lockout/tagout.
• Operate forklifts, hoists, cranes, material-handling equipment, and other equipment as authorized and trained.
• Maintain a clean and organized work area to reduce safety hazards.
• Participate in safety training, equipment training, continuous-improvement activities, and required meetings.
• Follow all company policies, work instructions, environmental requirements, quality standards, and safety procedures.
• Wear all required personal protective equipment and inspect it before use.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Safety-Critical Responsibilities

The Foundry Furnace Operator must understand and consistently recognize the seriousness of this position. The operator is responsible for maintaining control of extremely hot molten metal and complex furnace equipment. A lapse in attention, failure to follow procedures, incorrect material addition, inaccurate temperature reading, or improper furnace operation may create an immediate danger.

The employee must:

• Remain alert and attentive throughout the entire shift.
• Follow all written and verbal operating instructions precisely.
• Never bypass or disable safety controls or protective equipment.
• Stop work and immediately report any unsafe condition, equipment failure, or unexpected furnace activity.
• Verify all materials before placing them into the furnace.
• Maintain awareness of nearby employees, equipment, and environmental conditions.
• Understand that errors may affect the safety of the operator, coworkers, the company, the environment, and the surrounding community.
• Understand that mistakes may also result in damaged equipment, unusable metal, lost production, operational shutdowns, customer delays, and substantial financial loss.

Break and Coverage Requirements

Furnace operations require continuous monitoring and cannot be left unattended. Breaks must be taken at scheduled or approved times and only when qualified, trained relief coverage is available. Employees must remain at their assigned work area until properly relieved. Vacations must be reviewed with foundry leadership and coverage must be available. 

Qualifications

• Previous foundry, furnace, melting, or heavy-manufacturing experience is preferred. 
• Ability to understand and follow detailed operating instructions, formulas, safety procedures, and production requirements.
• Ability to accurately measure materials, read gauges, monitor controls, document information, and perform basic mathematical calculations.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to remain focused in a demanding production environment.
• Ability to identify abnormal equipment or furnace conditions and respond appropriately.
• Ability to communicate effectively with supervisors, quality personnel, maintenance employees, and coworkers.
• Ability to work independently while also contributing to a team environment.
• Ability and willingness to work required overtime, including occasional Saturdays.
• Forklift, crane, hoist, or other equipment experience is preferred. Required training and authorization must be completed before independently operating equipment.

Physical Requirements

The employee must be able to:

• Lift and carry approximately 75–100 pounds, using team assistance or mechanical lifting equipment when appropriate.
• Stand and walk for extended periods throughout the shift.
• Frequently bend, stoop, crouch, kneel, reach, climb steps or stairs, and maintain balance.
• Push, pull, grip, grasp, handle, and move heavy materials, tools, and equipment.
• Perform repetitive movements throughout the workday.
• Work around and safely access furnaces, manufacturing equipment, platforms, and elevated work areas when required.
• Maintain the strength, coordination, mobility, and endurance necessary to perform demanding foundry work safely.
• Wear all required personal protective equipment for extended periods.

The physical requirements described represent those necessary to perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities unless doing so would create an undue hardship or direct safety threat.

Working Conditions

This is a very dirty, dusty, physically demanding, and potentially dangerous foundry position.

The employee will regularly work:

• Near molten metal, open furnaces, sparks, hot surfaces, and extreme heat.
• Around dust, smoke, fumes, gases, chemicals, and airborne particles.
• Around loud noise, vibration, moving machinery, forklifts, cranes, and heavy equipment.
• In areas with changing temperatures and limited climate control.
• On surfaces that may be uneven, slippery, or affected by foundry materials.
• In required protective equipment, which may include safety glasses, face shields, hard hats, hearing protection, respirators, heat-resistant clothing, gloves, protective footwear, and other specialized PPE.

Strict compliance with all safety, environmental, quality, and operating procedures is an essential condition of employment.

Baker Manufacturing Benefits

Baker Manufacturing offers a competitive benefits package to eligible employees, which may include:

• Medical insurance options
• Dental and vision insurance
• Company-paid short-term disability insurance
• Company-paid basic life insurance
• Voluntary long-term disability insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• PTO
• Paid holidays
• Additional voluntary benefit options

Benefit eligibility, coverage, costs, and plan provisions are governed by the applicable plan documents and company policies.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Baker Manufacturing Company, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Compensation details: 23-27 Hourly Wage

PI61878f9ec4f1-38059-41612212

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