Subcontracts Manager

About Us

At Miller Industries, we design, engineer, and manufacture custom products in the USA, with locations in Fenton and Burton, Michigan, and engineering support in El Paso, Texas. Our divisions include Miller Fabricated Systems, Flex Air, Miller Industries Representatives, and MI Service Group. We provide custom steel fabrication, commercial and industrial HVAC systems, and modular mechanical and electrical systems. We serve automotive, healthcare, institutional, and semiconductor manufacturers worldwide. As a family-operated business, we prioritize quality, employee growth, and exceeding customer and employee needs.

About the Role

The Subcontracts Manager is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and performance of the subcontracting and fabrication operations team. This role oversees subcontractor selection, contract administration, package execution, material coordination, engineering deliverables, fabrication progress, scheduling, quality compliance, and financial performance across assigned projects. The Subcontracts Manager will build and lead a team, providing strategic direction and operational oversight to ensure subcontracted fabrication packages are executed safely, on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with project requirements and company standards.

Responsibilities

• Leadership & Team Management
  • Lead and manage the subcontracting and fabrication support team.
  • Establish priorities, workloads, and performance expectations for direct reports.
  • Provide coaching, mentoring, and professional development to team members.
  • Foster collaboration between engineering, procurement, project management, operations, and subcontractors.
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to subcontract administration, fabrication tracking, and project execution.
• Subcontractor and Fabrication Oversight
  • Develop and maintain relationships with subcontract fabricators and suppliers.
  • Oversee subcontractor sourcing, qualification, evaluation, and performance management.
  • Ensure fabrication resources are aligned with project requirements and capacity needs.
  • Review and approve subcontractor recommendations and award strategies.
  • Resolve escalated subcontractor issues, performance concerns, and commercial disputes.
  • Conduct subcontractor visits, audits, and performance reviews as required.
• Project and Package Management
  • Provide oversight of all assigned fabrication packages.
  • Monitor project schedules, fabrication status, production milestones, and delivery commitments.
  • Review package execution plans and ensure alignment with project objectives.
  • Identify project risks, resource constraints, and schedule impacts and implement mitigation plans.
  • Remove operational roadblocks affecting package execution.
  • Ensure effective communication between internal stakeholders and subcontractors.
  • Review project performance metrics and drive corrective actions when necessary.
• Engineering and Document Control Coordination
  • Oversee drawing release processes and engineering coordination activities.
  • Ensure RFIs, change logs, revisions, and fabrication drawings are properly communicated to subcontractors.
  • Monitor engineering deliverables to support fabrication schedules.
  • Ensure tracking systems and fabrication matrices are maintained and accurate.
  • Coordinate resolution of engineering-related issues impacting subcontracted work.
• Materials Management
  • Oversee material procurement coordination and allocation activities.
  • Ensure Bills of Material (BOMs) are developed accurately and support fabrication requirements.
  • Monitor project-specific material inventories.
  • Ensure material shipments are coordinated to support production schedules.
  • Verify Material Test Reports (MTRs) and associated quality documentation are properly received, tracked, and distributed.
• Commercial and Financial Management
  • Review and approve subcontract purchase orders and amendments.
  • Monitor subcontract costs, commitments, change orders, and budget performance.
  • Review and approve subcontractor invoices for payment.
  • Support project forecasting and financial reporting efforts.
  • Identify opportunities for cost savings and process efficiencies.
• Quality, Safety, and Compliance
  • Ensure subcontractors comply with project specifications, contractual requirements, and quality standards.
  • Monitor fabrication quality performance and corrective action activities.
  • Support compliance with company safety policies and customer requirements.
  • Ensure documentation and recordkeeping meet project and company standards.
• Reporting and Communication
  • Provide regular status updates and performance reports to senior leadership.
  • Develop and maintain key performance indicators (KPIs) related to subcontractor performance, schedule adherence, cost control, quality, and material management.
  • Present project and subcontractor status in management review meetings.
  • Serve as the primary escalation point for subcontract execution issues.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business, or a related field; equivalent industry experience may be considered.
• 7+ years of experience in subcontract management, fabrication management, project management, steel construction, manufacturing, or related industries.
• 3+ years of leadership or supervisory experience.
• Strong understanding of fabrication processes, procurement, contract administration, and project execution.
• Experience managing subcontractors and vendor relationships.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and project tracking systems.
• Strong organizational, communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in structural steel fabrication and construction.
• Knowledge of engineering drawing processes and document control.
• Familiarity with material traceability and MTR requirements.
• Experience with ERP, project management, or fabrication management software.
• PMP, CCM, CPSM, or similar professional certification.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• On-time fabrication and delivery performance
• Subcontractor quality performance
• Package schedule adherence
• Budget and cost performance
• Change order management effectiveness
• Material availability and inventory accuracy
• RFI and drawing turnaround times
• Subcontractor scorecard ratings
• Team productivity and development metrics