Position Overview
You will run an entire structural steel fabrication division. That means about 20 people, from detailers and estimators to project managers, the shop foreman, and the crew on the floor. You own the P&L, the production schedule, and the safety record. If it happens in this division, it happens on your watch.
This is a hands-on job. You will meet with your shop foreman every day, walk the floor every week, and keep every job on schedule without cutting corners on quality or safety. Each year you build the division's Annual Operating Plan and present it to company leadership.
Why it matters: you get real authority, a direct line to the executive team, and a clear scorecard. Zero lost-time injuries, better financial results every year, and a team that always knows where it stands.
Key Responsibilities
Safety
- Enforce every company safety requirement and hold your team accountable to it.
- Keep your shop and office safe, with a standing goal of zero lost-time injuries.
- Lead weekly safety walks on the shop floor and report good catches and near misses.
Quality
- Hold every job to the company's quality standards.
- Document quality issues and their root causes, then work with the Production Support Coordinator to spot trends and fix them.
- Track and report all warranty and rework.
Production Management
- Prepare for and run daily and weekly production meetings.
- Set the production plan and deadlines with your project managers and shop foreman.
- Hold a daily debrief with your shop foreman.
- Make sure every job ships on time.
Financial Performance
- Own the full divisional P&L and improve financial results year over year.
- Lead the Annual Operating Plan and present it at the yearly leadership kickoff.
- Prepare for monthly financial and operations reviews and job closeout reviews.
- Approve non-billable purchase orders for maintenance, tools, and supplies, and reconcile company card receipts each month.
- Post monthly financials and KPIs for your team, and brief the division on progress at least once a month.
People Leadership
- Lead a team of about 20 across the office and shop floor.
- Run regular performance reviews and coach your team on continuous improvement.
- Review and approve timesheets and manage all team PTO.
- Shape hiring plans, interview and onboard new team members, and handle discipline and terminations when needed.
Growth and Continuous Improvement
- Use your industry relationships to bring new business to the division.
- Lead weekly continuous improvement walks and take part in the monthly CI meeting.
- Complete daily, weekly, and monthly operations checklists and meet weekly with the VP of Operations.
- Complete 8 hours of continuing education every quarter.
Qualifications
Experience
- 7+ years in structural steel fabrication or a closely related metals manufacturing setting.
- 3+ years managing both office staff and shop floor teams.
- Direct responsibility for a P&L or divisional budget.
- A track record of hitting deadlines on project-based fabrication work.
Technical Knowledge
- Solid grasp of the full fabrication workflow: estimating, detailing, shop drawings, fit-up, welding, and shipping.
- Working knowledge of OSHA requirements and how to run a shop safety program.
- Familiarity with AISC certification requirements and AWS welding standards.
- Hands-on experience with lean practices such as Gemba walks and continuous improvement.
- Comfortable with time tracking software (QuickBooks Time/TSheets or similar), spreadsheets, and KPI reporting.
Leadership & Communication
- You create a sense of urgency without burning people out.
- You hold people accountable and have handled reviews, discipline, and terminations fairly.
- You tell executives the full story, including bad news, early.
- You can run a tight meeting and present a plan to senior leadership with confidence.
Work Environment
This is a fully on-site role at the division's fabrication facility. You will split your time between the office and the shop floor, where you will be around welding, cutting, heavy equipment, and overhead cranes. Required PPE is provided and worn on the floor. Expect a standard full-time schedule, with extra hours when a deadline calls for it.
