This sounds like a plate juggling act and it sounds as if sooner or later something will slip and when one plate goes .... it'll be like a Greek Wedding party.
If you aren't getting the right response from the foreman there's probably a reason, the same as yours: not enough time and too much to do.
Chances are there are a lot more people under stress here.
Be positive.
Stop trying to hold everything together yourself.
Take just long enough to face your concerns: think about all the things that can go wrong and the consequences.
Number 1:
Your real problem is that this is not your problem.
It belongs to your boss.
Make him take it.
For example:
Number 2:
Make a list.
Prioritise it.
Start at the top, identify the problem.
Bullet point the consequences.
Decide what action needs to be taken to fix that one, make a brief comment.
Then repeat for the next four or five.
If you don't have an answer, a
"?" will be a great attention grabber.
If he says "what do we do there?" tell him that's why you came to see him... (that'll get his attention)
Number 3:
Don't do any more than just put the other problems as bullet points and then forget them.
Their turn will come.
It might help for one or two of these to have a couple of options that you can sketch out in conversation.
Give him some choices. (It is a sales trick to offer the target a choice of options, not a choice that can be answered "yes" or "no", but one that drags the guy to the decision you want... salesmen ask "Which one do you want?"
Number 4:
The Money quote:
If you think they need to shut down for a period to iron out the bus, get training done etc. you are showing them a loss - you are going to shut off the money flow. State this in terms of days or half days.
You need a counterbalance with more money-fright in it.
Make the point that may need to be a succession of half day shutdowns, or they could lose the lot and for a lot longer.
Put a price on it.
Days lost is fine but if you know the production value, use it.
This emphasises the money aspect of a crash and the time aspect of planned shutdowns.
This is giving him a choice again: "Do you think we should have some managable planned shutdowns or wait for the big crash?" (but be subtle)
Don't use dramatic or emotional expressions, they just say to everyone you are flustered.
Use simple unemotional terms and be prepared and be cool. Plan what you want to say and how to say it. Anticipate the obvious questions. After all, it isn't your problem, its his; let him sweat it.
Number 5:
Print as memo.
Now take to your boss and explain your concerns.
Show him the
suggestions you have for the top priorities.
Ask him what to do.
He will probably tell you to do what you've suggested but what you have given him is a route map. You have identified the problems, you have prioritised and you have shown the first steps. You have even made it pallatable by showing him some actions that can be taken.
He has to take over.
Get him talking. The more he talks, the more it is his problem.
(Avoid him having you work this up into some fancy presentation he can take to his boss... life just isn't worth it, just email him your bullet pointed list. If he can't whip up a powerpoint from that you didn't do it right.)
This is known as passing the buck... upwards.
He gets the bigger share of the bucks, it is his problem and you need to make sure he takes responsibility.
Otherwise, if you don't grasp the nettle and put this into your bosses ownership, if it all goes wrong he may well get a touch of self-preservation... not saying he will but he has a wife and family too and "how can he be expeced to keep on top if people don't tell him things?"
Document
Document
Document.. if you have a chat write a brief confirming memo to him... keep a copy.
Guess what, you just unloaded the problem, you helped the boss (he isn't to realise you just dumped on him) and when it is all sorted, ask for your raise. Don't be shy, ask for a big raise. Don't wait to long.
Now relax and start to enjoy yourself... you don't always get full blown crises and you ought to make up your mind to enjoy the experience and do some learning from it.
But do make sure you get some air and exercise... after all, it isn't your problem any more.
JMW