Shop Weld Foreman

About the Role

The Weld Foreman plays a vital role in driving operational excellence by working alongside team members and serving as the primary liaison between shop floor welders and production management. This leadership role requires a hands-on approach, an exceptional understanding of manufacturing engineering principles, and deep expertise in ASME/AWS welding procedures. The ideal candidate brings strong supervisory experience, rigorous quality standards, and a dedication to maintaining a safe, productive shop environment.

Responsibilities

• Leadership & Daily Operations:
  • Oversee daily department operations, assign work schedules, set production priorities, and optimize staff/equipment utilization without continuous supervision.
  • Support production management with team administrative duties, including performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, and PTO tracking.
  • Partner with Human Resources during recruitment, including candidate interviews and practical pre-employment weld testing.
  • Maintain a positive workplace culture through proactive coaching, open communication, and consistent policy application.
  • Execute daily facility opening/closing procedures and oversee equipment startup and shutdown.
• Quality Control & Compliance:
  • Take full accountability for department product quality, performing visual weld inspections prior to transferring materials to downstream departments.
  • Ensure precise completion of all quality documentation, including weld maps and weld consumable logs.
  • Enforce strict compliance with established company, customer, ASME, and AWS welding standards.
  • Oversee stress-relieving processes in accordance with engineering specifications.
  • Ensure team members continuously work within specified tolerances and part allowances.
• Safety, Inventory & Logistics:
  • Conduct daily team meetings and coordinate with adjacent departments to ensure smooth material flow across the shop floor.
  • Lead job hand-off reviews and procedural walk-throughs with welders prior to fabrication.
  • Manage inventory and distribution of welding consumables and industrial gas.
  • Perform routine equipment checks, ensure preventative maintenance measures are completed, and conduct regular safety audits.
  • Operate material handling equipment as needed to maintain execution speed and ensure on-time project delivery.

Requirements

• Welding Expertise: Minimum of 5 years of hands-on welding experience with the ability to weld in all positions, perform layout/fit-up on complex fabrications, and maintain AWS certification across required processes.
• Leadership Experience: 4–7 years of progressively responsible manufacturing or welding supervisory experience.
• Blueprints & Standards: Proven ability to read and interpret complex engineering blueprints and weld symbols.
• Process Knowledge: Expert understanding of ASME/AWS standards, manufacturing engineering principles, and quality systems.
• Software: Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Soft Skills & Competencies:
  • Strong interpersonal, coaching, and team-development skills.
  • Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.
  • High level of integrity, discretion, and independent decision-making capability.
• Education & Certifications:
  • Required: High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
  • Preferred: Bachelor’s Degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, or a related technical field (or equivalent combination of education/experience).
  • Pluses: Six Sigma / Lean Manufacturing Continuous Improvement experience.

Pay

$75,000 / year

Schedule

Monday – Friday | 6:00 AM – 4:00 PM