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