Steel Fabrication Manager

About the Role:

We are seeking an experienced and driven Steel Production Manager to lead our fabrication operations. This is a hands-on leadership role for a seasoned fabrication professional who thrives on performance improvement, Lean manufacturing, KPI-driven results, and developing high-performing teams.

The ideal candidate will bring deep technical fabrication expertise, proven leadership ability, and a passion for building efficient, safe, and high-output production systems.

Key Responsibilities

Operations & Production Leadership

Lead day-to-day steel shop fabrication operations to ensure safety, quality, cost, and delivery targets are met.

Plan, schedule, and coordinate labour, equipment, and materials to achieve production goals.

Identify bottlenecks, slow processes, and critical path constraints and implement improvements to increase throughput.

Develop, implement, and continuously refine production lines, workflows, and fabrication processes.

Drive accountability and performance at all levels of the shop.

Manage shop costs and budgets, track performance against forecast and targets

KPI & Performance Management

Establish, track, and manage production KPIs including:

Labour efficiency

On-time delivery

Scrap and rework

Throughput and productivity

Analyze performance data to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

Implement corrective action plans for underperforming areas.

Lean Manufacturing & Continuous Improvement

Lead the implementation of Lean manufacturing principles (5S, waste reduction, visual management, standard work, continuous flow).

Develop standardized work procedures for fabrication processes.

Lead continuous improvement initiatives to reduce cycle time, improve quality, and lower operating costs.

People Leadership, Coaching & Training

Lead, mentor, and develop welders, fitters, operators, and supervisors.

Conduct performance evaluations, coaching, and skills development.

Build a positive, accountable, and safety-focused shop culture.

Identify training needs and implement structured training programs.

Quality & Welding Certifications

Ensure all welding procedures, welder certifications, and quality standards are maintained and compliant.

Oversee WPS, WPQR, and CWB (or equivalent) requirements.

Ensure fabrication quality meets engineering, client, and regulatory requirements.

Safety & Compliance

Champion a zero-incident safety culture.

Ensure all shop operations comply with OH&S regulations and company safety standards.

Lead safety meetings, audits, and incident investigations.

Required Qualifications & Experience

10+ years of hands-on steel fabrication experience, including structural steel and/or heavy fabrication.

5+ years in a management role in a fabrication shop environment.

Strong working knowledge of:

Welding processes (MIG, FCAW, SMAW, Sub-Arc)

Read and interpret fabrication drawings and weld symbols

Fit-up, layout, and production sequencing

Proven experience implementing:

KPIs and performance tracking

Lean manufacturing principles

Production line and workflow development

Strong understanding of welding certification and quality systems (CWB, AWS, or equivalent).

Excellent leadership, coaching, and communication skills.

High level of organizational, scheduling, and problem-solving ability.

Preferred Assets

Welding Engineering Technologist, Production Management Certification or Red Seal Certification

Lean Six Sigma (Yellow/Green Belt)

Experience with automated fabrication equipment (beam lines, CNC plasma, robotic welding)

Experience with production tracking systems

Ability to plan and schedule resources for day and night shift

What We Offer

Group Extended Health & Dental Benefits after 3 months of employment

Employee Family Assistance Program

Stable, long-term career with growth potential