Fabrication Manager

Location: Montclair, CA
Job Type: Full-Time

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 and does not wait for problems to become emergencies. We need a manager who knows what is being built, understands where each project stands, recognizes when the shop is falling behind, and takes action to get production back on track.

Quality is extremely important. The Fabrication Manager is expected to actively inspect the work being produced and make sure poor workmanship does not move to the next stage of production or leave our facility.

The successful candidate will be organized, dependable, mechanically knowledgeable, comfortable using standard business software, and capable of earning the respect of an experienced fabrication team.

• 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.

• 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.

Experience in any of the following areas is a plus:

• 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

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. This is a full-time, on-site position.

• Competitive compensation based on experience

• Paid time off

• Paid holidays

• 401(k) matching

• Stable, full-time employment in a growing custom equipment manufacturing company

W3Global was established in 2006 in Fremont, CA with a vision: simplify the recruiting process and develop an industry-disrupting platform to connect candidates with clients. Our cutting-edge Applicant Tracking System enables us to find the right person for the right job, creating value for job seekers and employers. While W3Global initially focused on IT staffing, we have expanded the business to serve many other industries, including accounting and finance, legal, engineering, human resources, government and more.

We’re proud of the investments we’ve made in our team, having grown from four to 1000 employees and evolving into one of the leading recruitment and staffing solution providers in the industry. Our recruiters and account managers are passionate about connecting qualified professionals with the right positions in small, medium, and large companies.

Our Services
W3Global understands the natural ups and downs of an organization’s staffing needs. We are continuously adapting to industry and economic changes to find the right candidates.

We specialize in placing permanent, direct, contract, and temporary positions for companies of any size. Our recruiting services include sourcing, recruiting, screening, interview management, salary negotiations, training, and onboarding.

We are committed to helping organizations redefine their recruitment process by delivering our SaaS-based proprietary application tracking system software.

Our Expertise
W3Global has been delivering staffing solutions for nearly two decades; we know which recruiting strategies work best. Our expert team is committed to developing a customized solution to fit your company’s unique needs.

As a W3Global client, you’ll also receive personalized assistance from a seasoned team of staffing specialists. We are committed to providing both technical support and industry expertise to simplify the hiring process. We know that your time matters. W3Global will help you streamline the hiring process, getting it done and getting it right.