Similar title descriptions: Foreman, process coordinator, turn supervisor, operations supervisor
Starting salary range: $34,000 – $48,000
Salary range in 10 years: $45,000 – $72,000
Degree/training/certificate required: B.S. in engineering or business administration, or, alternatively, steel industry experience with a two-year degree in electrical or mechanical technology
Shift supervisors possess strong leadership and organizational skills. Drawing on technical expertise and strong interpersonal skills, they must be able to take charge of an operation and run it profitably. Examples of line operations would be rolling mills, electric arc furnaces, basic oxygen furnaces, blast furnaces, continuous casters, piercing mills, or annealing, galvanizing or grinding operations.
Shift supervisors work directly with skilled and semi-skilled workers, motivating and coordinating them in a range of tasks. Their main job is to ensure that their unit operation is running efficiently and that each worker is performing his or her own duties reliably and accurately. They are also responsible for ensuring that their unit meets QS 9000 standards. When there is a breakdown, shift supervisors work with maintenance shift supervisors and crew to make timely repairs.
Those with four-year college degrees may enter the steel industry as shift supervisors. Others may work their way up to the position after working on a unit and demonstrating that they have the talent and desire to lead.
Opportunities for advancement are considerable, especially for those with four-year degrees. With promotions, salaries could well exceed the estimates above.