Robert J. Capehart
Chesterton,IN
Summary
Dynamic operations leader with extensive experience in steel operations, providing vision and driving process improvements through strategic planning and execution. Proven track record in cross-functional team leadership, achieving record production rates while maintaining focus on safety and environmental compliance. Skilled in fostering collaboration with diverse groups and working toward achieving common goals.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Division Manager - Primary Operations
Cleveland-Cliffs Burns Harbor
09.2023 - 07.2025
- Responsible for guiding the safety, environmental, and operational performance across coke, iron, and steel producing divisions consisting of approximately 165 salaried and 1,400 represented employees.
- Formed and worked with cross-functional teams to drive enhancements in the operational connection between iron and steel producing, including improvements to load count forecasting and consistency in lab analyses between the shops
- Executed salaried personnel moves aimed at optimizing operational excellence in several key areas
- Oversaw the front-line development of a structural restoration plan for #1 coke oven battery
Division Manager - Steel Producing
Cleveland-Cliffs Burns Harbor
01.2023 - 08.2023
- Responsible for approximately 75 salaried and 700 represented employees, providing structure and direction aimed at ensuring compliance on health, safety, environmental, quality, and production requirements
- Worked collaboratively with department union leadership on all local matters, including line-of-progression training and capital plan development aimed at addressing health-related concerns
- Utilized a cross-functional team in driving improvements to the shop coordination pacing process, providing the basis for achieving record annual slab production pace through August 2023, including an all-time plant single-day slab production record
- Worked closely with engineering on large-scale asset sustainability, including emissions capture equipment and basic oxygen furnace-based projects
Division Manager - Hot Rolling
ArcelorMittal Burns Harbor / Cleveland-Cliffs Burns Harbor
03.2018 - 12.2022
- Responsible for approximately 55 salaried and 400 represented employees, providing structure and direction aimed at ensuring compliance of health, safety, environmental, quality, and production requirements
- Worked to build a high-performance team and promoted ownership as the basis of overall departmental success. Spearheaded detailed housekeeping and lighting projects throughout the division resulting in improved safety and maintenance conditions
- Successfully managed division operations from end-of-life pusher-style reheat furnaces through the commissioning of walking beam furnaces, significantly improving surface quality and increasing furnace throughput capacity by 15%
- Led team in providing justification and in developing plans for utilizing CAPEX and R&M funds to revitalize the roughing mill stands as well as delay table, finishing mill, and runout table areas, resulting in marked improvements overall mill stability - establishing new single-turn and 24-hour mill production records
- Developed justification for and oversaw the relocation/addition of a second overhead crane in a key, high-volume shipping area, leading to increases in hot rolled shipping capacity
Division Manager - Process Automation
ArcelorMittal Burns Harbor
02.2012 - 02.2018
- Led a plant-wide organization consisting of 45 salaried employees across six teams specializing in operational process control and associated system management
- Worked with operating unit division managers across the plant to promote and facilitate the development of automation and control solutions.
- Oversaw the installation of several key projects, including the commissioning of overhead crane slab tracking, leading to the elimination of significant inherent safety risks via separation of people and product
- Collaborated with teammates to justify and promote the development of the first on-site virtual machine system clusters, enhancing system security and reducing standalone system hardware obsolescence
Section Manager - Hot Rolling Process Automation
ArcelorMittal Burns Harbor
09.2006 - 01.2012
- Led a team of five process control engineers responsible for all hot strip mill Level 2 control and tracking systems
- Was directly responsible for reheat furnace control, mill pacing, and roughing mill / finishing mill set-up models
- Collaborated with Stein Heurtey (Fives Group) to commission and integrate a slab reheat furnace and pacing model, which led to a 10% reduction in overall furnace natural gas consumption
- Developed and implemented a home-grown mill pacing control system utilizing reheat furnace pacing model parameters, eliminating operator bias while optimizing slab temperature uniformity and mill throughput
Education
Bachelor Of Science - Mathematics
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN05.1997
Skills
Operations management
Cross-functional team leadership
Teamwork and collaboration
Experience in working with represented workforce
Process improvement-driven
Strategic planning
Affiliations
Association for Iron and Steel Technology
Timeline
Senior Division Manager - Primary Operations
Cleveland-Cliffs Burns Harbor
09.2023 - 07.2025
Division Manager - Steel Producing
Cleveland-Cliffs Burns Harbor
01.2023 - 08.2023
Division Manager - Hot Rolling
ArcelorMittal Burns Harbor / Cleveland-Cliffs Burns Harbor
03.2018 - 12.2022
Division Manager - Process Automation
ArcelorMittal Burns Harbor
02.2012 - 02.2018
Section Manager - Hot Rolling Process Automation
ArcelorMittal Burns Harbor
09.2006 - 01.2012
Bachelor Of Science - Mathematics
Purdue University
Similar Profiles
Justin FoxJustin Fox
Environmental Health and Safety Specialist at Cleveland CliffsEnvironmental Health and Safety Specialist at Cleveland Cliffs
Winston LagboWinston Lagbo
Production Associate at Cleveland-Cliffs IncProduction Associate at Cleveland-Cliffs Inc
Tyren WalkerTyren Walker
Forklift Operator & Slitting Line Operator at Cleveland-CliffsForklift Operator & Slitting Line Operator at Cleveland-Cliffs
Christopher VoightChristopher Voight
Industrial Painter and Blaster at Brock Industrial ServicesIndustrial Painter and Blaster at Brock Industrial Services
James AsburyJames Asbury
Teacher at Portage Township SchoolsTeacher at Portage Township Schools