Shop Fabrication Manager

Job Summary

The Shop Fabrication Manager is responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating all fabrication shop activities to ensure projects are completed safely, on time, within budget, and in accordance with quality standards. This role oversees production personnel, scheduling, resource allocation, quality performance, safety compliance, and operational efficiency - while fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and employee development.

Responsibilities

• Plan, direct, and oversee daily fabrication shop operations to ensure projects are completed safely, on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with quality requirements.
• Develop and maintain production schedules based on project priorities, customer commitments, manpower availability, and material deliveries.
• Cook up and maintain production schedules based on project priorities, customer commitments, manpower availability, and material deliveries.
• Cook up and maintain production schedules based on project priorities, customer commitments, manpower availability, and material deliveries.
• Coordinate with Project Managers, Procurement, QA/QC, and Operations to ensure fabrication activities align with project needs and field installation schedules.
• Maintain accurate production records and provide regular status updates to senior leadership and project teams.
• Support estimating and preconstruction efforts by providing fabrication input, labor forecasting, and shop capacity assessments when requested.
• Ensure proper maintenance and utilization of shop equipment, tools, and facilities.
• Establish and monitor production KPIs including labor productivity, schedule adherence, fabrication throughput, quality performance, rework rates, and equipment utilization.
• Analyze production data and generate reports to support operational decision-making and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop short-term and long-term shop capacity plans to support project demands and business growth.
• Cook up and maintain production records and provide regular status updates to senior leadership and project teams.
• Support cost forecasting and resource planning efforts to maximize shop profitability.
• When requested, lead root cause investigations related to quality issues, rework, production delays, and safety incidents.
• Implement corrective and preventive actions to improve fabrication processes and operational performance.
• Support development and standardization of fabrication procedures, work instructions, and best practices.
• Champion Lean Manufacturing, 5S, and continuous improvement initiatives throughout the facility.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations and provide ongoing coaching and mentoring to shop personnel.
• Identify training needs and coordinate employee development programs to improve technical and leadership capabilities.
• Develop succession plans for key fabrication leadership positions.
• Foster employee engagement and maintain a positive, productive work environment.
• Cook up and maintain production records and provide regular status updates to senior leadership and project teams.
• Support cost forecasting and resource planning efforts to maximize shop profitability.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of experience in industrial fabrication, manufacturing, or heavy industrial construction.
• Strong understanding of fabrication processes, production scheduling, quality requirements, and shop operations.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience supervising fabrication, manufacturing, or industrial construction personnel.
• Experience coordinating workflow, managing production priorities, and leading fabrication teams.
• Ability to read and interpret fabrication drawings, Bills of Material (BOMs), weld symbols, and engineering specifications.
• Knowledge of quality control requirements and fabrication tolerances.
• Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize production activities to meet project schedules and customer commitments.
• Strong leadership, team building, and employee development skills.
• Ability to effectively supervise fabrication personnel and hold employees accountable for safety, quality, productivity, and attendance expectations.
• Thorough understanding of fabrication processes, welding procedures, material handling, and shop operations.
• Ability to analyze manpower requirements and efficiently allocate labor and resources.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, 5S, or other process improvement methodologies required.
• Understanding of fabrication shop capacity planning, workflow optimization, and production metrics.
• Working knowledge of inventory management, material control, and fabrication shop logistics.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with ERP, MRP, fabrication management, or production tracking software preferred.

Preferred Education And Experience

• Associate degree or technical training in Welding Technology, Manufacturing Technology, Construction Management, Industrial Technology, or a related field (preferred but not required).
• Certified Welding Inspector (CWI), Certified Welding Supervisor (CWS), OSHA 30, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar industry certifications (preferred).