The posting
Shape Your World
At Alcoa, you will become an essential part of our purpose: to turn raw potential into real progress. The way we see it, every Alcoan is a work-shaper, team-shaper, idea-shaper & world-shaper.
The Operations Supervisor leads pilot-scale manufacturing operations supporting breakthrough technologies (ELYSIS and ASTRAEA). The role oversees a team of technicians and technologists working on rotating crews to support planned 24/7 campaigns. The supervisor translates campaign and project requirements into coordinated staffing, production, maintenance, materials, and documentation plans while fostering a collaborative, accountable team.
This position plays a key role in strengthening manufacturing as operations mature from R&D to pilot-scale production, with high annual volumes of powder (metric tons) and fabricated parts. Working closely with engineering, maintenance, quality, EHS, supply chain, and project teams, the supervisor supports campaign objectives, protects product quality, improves process capability, and ensures disciplined execution in a dynamic technical manufacturing environment.
About the Role
As an Operations Supervisor, you will:
- Lead, coach, and develop technicians and technologists, setting clear expectations, assigning work, providing timely feedback, and supporting cross-training and capability development.
- Plan and coordinate 24/7 campaign operations, including crew coverage, shift assignments, handoffs, start-up and shutdown activities, escalation paths, and overall operational readiness.
- Drive safe daily execution by reinforcing EHS requirements, hazard identification, pre-job planning, permit expectations, PPE, housekeeping, and stop-work responsibility.
- Translate campaign priorities into daily and weekly production plans, aligning personnel, equipment, materials, maintenance, quality requirements, and delivery expectations.
- Monitor and improve operational performance across safety, quality, schedule, yield, throughput, downtime, reliability, material flow, inventory, and equipment effectiveness, leading corrective actions as needed.
- Provide visible floor leadership and technical coordination during start-ups, process changes, troubleshooting, non-routine work, maintenance activities, equipment commissioning, and return-to-service decisions.
- Maintain strong operating discipline and cross-functional coordination through effective shift turnover, accurate documentation and standard work, material and spare-parts readiness, structured problem-solving, and clear communication of risks, priorities, resource needs, and next steps.
What you can bring to this role:
- High School Diploma or equivalent. Bachelor's Degree preferred.
- 3+ years of relevant manufacturing, industrial, pilot-plant, or process-operations experience.
- 2+ years of experience in direct leadership with responsibility for coordinating people, priorities, and safe work execution.
- Experience supporting continuous or shift-based operations, production campaigns, start-ups, shutdowns, or other time-critical manufacturing activities.
- Strong written, verbal, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills across technical and leadership audiences.
What we offer:
- Competitive compensation packages, including pay-for performance variable pay, recognition and rewards programs
- Flexible spending accounts and generous employer contribution to the HSA
- 401(k), employer match up to 6%, additional employer retirement income contribution (no vesting period), and a non-qualified deferred compensation plan
- 12 paid holidays per year.
- 15 days of paid vacation (pro-rated from hire date).
- Career development opportunities to pursue your passions; and
- Social and diversity focused engagement opportunities.
#LI-TL2
About the Location
Every day is a new and exciting challenge at the Alcoa Technical Center in New Kensington, PA, just north of Pittsburgh. We develop new technologies with our Breakthrough Technologies team that has the potential to impact the life of millions of people and foster the sustainable footprint from Alcoa to the world. It was here where we developed the technology recently announced in partnership with Rio Tinto, called ELYSIS™, where we will produce aluminum with ZERO emission of greenhouse gases. In fact, we will actually be generating oxygen to our atmosphere during the aluminum production process– a revolution to the aluminum industry!
We are values led, vision driven and united by our purpose of transforming raw potential into real progress. Our commitments to Inclusion, Diversity & Equity include providing trusting workplaces that are safe, respectful and inclusive of all individuals, free from discrimination, bullying and harassment and that our workplaces reflect the diversity of the communities in which we operate.
As a proud equal opportunity workplace and affirmative action employer, Alcoa is dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of a person’s gender, age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, nation of origin, disability, veteran status, language spoken or any other characteristic or status protected by the laws or regulations in the places where we operate.
If you have visited our website in search of information on U.S. employment opportunities or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation, please contact Alcoa Recruiting via email at [email protected].
This is a place where you are empowered to do your best work, be your authentic self, and feel a true sense of belonging. Come join us and shape your career!
Your work. Your world. Shape them for the better.
