Fabrication Manager

Location: Montclair, CA • Full-time • On-site

About the role

We are seeking an experienced, hands-on Fabrication Manager to oversee the daily operations of our fabrication and manufacturing shop. We design and manufacture custom industrial finishing equipment, including powder coating systems, paint finishing systems, industrial ovens, washers, booths, ductwork, structural assemblies, and related equipment. Because most of our equipment is custom-built, this position requires someone who can manage changing priorities, understand fabrication drawings, maintain quality standards, create and manage production schedules, and keep multiple projects moving through the shop at the same time.

The Fabrication Manager will be responsible for managing shop personnel, coordinating production priorities, monitoring quality and productivity, developing production schedules, and working closely with our Project Management, Engineering, Purchasing, and Operations teams. This is not strictly an office management position. The right candidate will be someone who takes ownership of the shop, actively inspects work, and proactively addresses issues before they become emergencies.

Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day activities of the fabrication and manufacturing shop.
• Supervise welders, fabricators, assemblers, and other shop personnel.
• Create, maintain, and update production schedules based on project deadlines, available manpower, material availability, and shop capacity.
• Assign daily and weekly work priorities based on project schedules and production requirements.
• Coordinate manpower between multiple projects to keep production on schedule.
• Track project progress against production schedules and adjust priorities as needed.
• Identify schedule problems, manpower shortages, material delays, or production bottlenecks before they impact project deadlines.
• Review fabrication drawings and work with Engineering when questions or conflicts arise.
• Ensure completed work meets company quality and workmanship standards.
• Inspect fabricated components and assemblies throughout the manufacturing process.
• Correct quality issues immediately and prevent recurring workmanship problems.
• Hold employees accountable for productivity, attendance, quality, safety, and completion of assigned work.
• Coordinate with Project Managers and Engineering regarding project status, material shortages, fabrication issues, schedule risks, and upcoming production requirements.
• Work with Purchasing and Material Control to ensure required materials are available when needed.
• Assist employees with fabrication questions and determine the best method for completing difficult or unusual assemblies.
• Ensure employees are working from the correct and most current drawings.
• Help organize shop workflow, staging areas, material storage, and completed equipment.
• Monitor tools, welding equipment, fabrication equipment, and other shop resources.
• Ensure equipment is maintained and report repair or replacement needs.
• Enforce company safety procedures and maintain a clean and organized working environment.
• Assist with hiring, training, employee evaluations, disciplinary actions, and development of shop personnel.
• Support overtime and production schedule changes when required to meet customer commitments.
• Participate in production and project scheduling meetings with management.
• Communicate production status, priorities, and schedule changes through Microsoft Outlook, Teams, and other company systems.

Requirements

• 5+ years previous experience managing or supervising employees in a fabrication, welding, manufacturing, or industrial equipment environment.
• Bilingual in Spanish required.
• Strong understanding of welding and metal fabrication processes.
• Ability to read and understand fabrication drawings, assembly drawings, and basic mechanical drawings.
• Experience working with sheet metal, structural steel, stainless steel, and fabricated assemblies preferred.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing workflow, manpower planning, and production scheduling.
• Ability to create and manage production schedules for multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to manage several projects and priorities at the same time.
• Strong attention to quality and workmanship.
• Ability to identify fabrication problems and work with the team to develop practical solutions.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Comfortable holding employees accountable while maintaining a productive working environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Teams, Word, and Excel.
• Ability to use email, shared files, production schedules, drawings, spreadsheets, and company software as part of daily shop management.
• Ability to communicate effectively with Engineering, Project Management, Purchasing, Operations, and shop personnel.

Preferred Experience

• Industrial equipment manufacturing
• Custom fabrication
• MIG and TIG welding
• Stainless steel fabrication
• Sheet metal fabrication
• Structural fabrication
• Industrial ovens
• Paint or powder coating equipment
• Conveyor systems
• Equipment assembly and installation
• Production planning and scheduling
• Previous experience using ERP, project management, or production tracking software

Work Environment

This position operates primarily in an active manufacturing and fabrication environment. The Fabrication Manager will spend a significant amount of time on the shop floor and must be comfortable working around welding, grinding, fabrication equipment, forklifts, cranes, and large industrial assemblies.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation based on experience
• Paid time off
• Paid holidays
• 401(k) matching
• Stable, full-time employment in a growing custom equipment manufacturing company