Position Overview J.R. & Co., Inc. is looking for an experienced Fabrication Operations Manager to bring structure, visibility, and accountability to our architectural cladding fabrication shop. You'll coordinate daily shop workflow, control fabrication tickets, drive quality from material receiving through finished product, and keep project teams informed on production status. This role is ideal for a hands-on fabrication leader who takes pride in an organized, manufacturing-quality shop and wants to help professionalize a growing operation.
Essential Functions
Coordinate daily and weekly fabrication workflow, production priorities, and shop queue visibility
Track all fabrication work by status, from pending and approved through production, staging, and completion
Review fabrication tickets for completeness and accuracy before production, and return incomplete or non-compliant tickets per approved procedures
Communicate lead times, production status, ticket issues, and schedule impacts to Project Managers, Superintendents, Project Executives, and leadership
Partner with the Warehouse Manager on material availability, inspection, staging, labeling, and readiness for fabrication
Run quality checkpoints from material receiving through finished product, and track rework, field returns, scrap, and recurring errors
Organize shop layout, workstations, staging areas, and equipment flow to support a clean, safe, manufacturing-quality environment
Train, coach, and work alongside shop employees on approved fabrication standards, and recommend process improvements to leadership
Required Skills and Abilities
Ability to read and interpret fabrication tickets, shop drawings, sketches, dimensions, bend requirements, and material specifications
Strong understanding of fabrication workflow, material readiness, shop organization, and quality control
Excellent written and verbal communicator who leads through influence, accountability, and follow-through
Ability to coordinate across multiple departments while respecting existing leadership roles
Strong attention to detail and commitment to documentation accuracy
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities
Proficient in Microsoft Office, Outlook, Teams, and Excel, with ability to learn production and tracking systems
Understanding of OSHA safety requirements and a valid driver's license in accordance with company driver policies
Education and Experience
Minimum of 5 years of experience in fabrication, sheet metal, architectural cladding, manufacturing, construction operations, or a related field
Experience reading fabrication tickets, shop drawings, measurements, bend details, and angles
Experience with production scheduling, material handling, quality control, or shop/field coordination (preferred)
Prior leadership, supervisory, or training experience (preferred)
Experience working with Project Managers, Superintendents, and field leadership (preferred)
Experience with architectural cladding systems, brake metal, ACM, metal panels, flashing, trim, and coping (preferred)
Work Environment / Physical Requirements
Work in a fabrication shop, warehouse, office, and occasional jobsite environment
Stand, walk, bend, kneel, reach, and climb throughout the shop and warehouse for extended periods
Lift and carry 50 lbs. or more as required
Work around fabrication equipment, forklifts, cranes, sharp materials, dust, noise, and moving machinery
Wear required PPE and follow all shop safety requirements
Drive company vehicles and operate motorized equipment as required
Work overtime, weekends, or after-hours as needed for urgent production or project needs
Must pass an initial drug test and take part in the random drug testing program
