Fabrication Operations Manager Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

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Full Time Mid Level & Ops Mgr Altoona, IA, US

PURPOSE

The OSM Operations Manager (Piping) is responsible for leading all piping fabrication and assembly operations within the Off-Site Manufacturing (OSM) division. Reporting directly to the Director of Manufacturing, this position provides leadership, direction, and oversight of piping production activities from material preparation and fabrication through final assembly, testing, packaging, and shipment.

This role is accountable for safety, quality, productivity, workforce development, schedule attainment, and continuous improvement across all piping operations. The Operations Manager works closely with project management, planning, procurement, QA/QC, engineering, and field operations teams to ensure fabrication and assembly activities are executed efficiently while meeting customer requirements and project schedules.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following duties are typical for this job. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Lead and manage all piping fabrication, assembly, and production activities within the OSM facility.
• Oversee the Pre-Fabrication Shop, including cutting, preparation, welding, fit-up, material handling, and spool fabrication operations.
• Oversee Assembly Operations, including installation of piping systems, valves, specialty components, supports, equipment, and packaged skid assemblies.
• Develop and execute production plans that align with project schedules, manpower availability, and customer requirements.
• Monitor daily production performance and implement corrective actions to maintain schedule commitments and productivity goals.
• Ensure efficient utilization of labor, equipment, tooling, and facility resources.

• Drive on-time completion of fabrication and shipment milestones for customer projects.
• Coordinate fabrication priorities with project managers, planners, and procurement teams.
• Flexible in project schedules and understanding moving targets
• Two week look ahead approach for production while keeping monthly schedules into perspective
• Balance production requirements between shipped OSM projects and locally self-performed work.
• Identify schedule risks and proactively implement mitigation strategies.
• Lead production meetings and communicate project status, resource requirements, and production challenges to leadership.

• Partner closely with the Lead Quality Inspector and QA/QC team to ensure all fabricated products meet applicable codes, specifications, and customer requirements.
• Promote a culture of quality throughout all phases of fabrication and assembly.
• Ensure compliance with approved welding procedures, inspection requirements, quality standards, and documentation requirements.
• Support root cause investigations, corrective actions, and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
• Maintain compliance with applicable industry standards, company procedures, and safety requirements.

• Champion a strong safety culture throughout the fabrication facility.
• Ensure compliance with all company safety policies, OSHA requirements, and site-specific safety programs.
• Conduct regular safety observations, audits, and corrective action reviews.
• Hold supervisors and team members accountable for safe work practices and hazard identification.
• Lead, mentor, and develop supervisors, foremen, leads, and production personnel.
• Establish performance expectations and provide coaching to improve team effectiveness.
• Support workforce planning, hiring, onboarding, training, and employee development initiatives.
• Foster accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.
• Work with Field Operations Manager to manage the increase and decrease in manpower.
• Identify opportunities to improve fabrication workflows, productivity, quality, and material flow.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives throughout piping operations.
• Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to safety, quality, productivity, schedule attainment, and labor efficiency.
• Support implementation of new technologies, equipment, and operational best practices.

MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Minimum of five years of progressive leadership experience in industrial manufacturing, mechanical contracting, modular construction, or off-site manufacturing and at least two years of experience leading mechanical piping fabrication or assembly operations, including responsibility for production teams, scheduling, safety, quality, and operational performance.
• Strong understanding of industrial piping systems, welding processes, fabrication methods, and assembly practices.
• Experience working with ASME piping codes, quality management systems, and fabrication standards.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and production schedules simultaneously.
• Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency with production planning, scheduling, and manufacturing management systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in mechanical contracting, industrial construction, data center construction, or modular manufacturing environments.
• Knowledge of ASME, AWS, and applicable piping fabrication standards.
• Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement training.
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Manufacturing, Engineering, Business, or a related field.

MENTAL AND PHYSICAL COMPETENCIES REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTAL FUNCTIONS

• Ability to anticipate production demands, allocate labor, equipment, and facility resources effectively, and align operations with project schedules and business objectives.
• Ability to analyze production data, KPIs, schedules, and operational performance to identify trends, resolve issues, and support informed decision-making.
• Ability to identify root causes of production, quality, safety, and scheduling challenges and implement practical, timely corrective actions.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and make timely decisions while balancing safety, quality, productivity, cost, and customer commitments.
• Ability to effectively prioritize multiple projects, competing production demands, changing schedules, and limited resources while maintaining operational efficiency.
• Ability to maintain a high level of accuracy and attention to detail when reviewing production requirements, fabrication documentation, quality standards, safety requirements, and customer specifications.
• Ability to understand how fabrication, assembly, engineering, procurement, planning, quality, and field operations work together to optimize production and achieve project objectives.
• Ability to adapt to changing project schedules, customer priorities, labor availability, and production demands while maintaining operational effectiveness.
• Ability to identify opportunities to improve workflows, productivity, material flow, and quality while supporting Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ability to maintain awareness of shop floor activities and proactively identify safety, quality, production, and schedule risks before they impact operations.

ENVIRONMENTAL ADAPTABILITY

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk working on a computer
• Prolonged periods of standing and walking
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds
• Significant field and client interactions on construction job sites, which may require prolonged periods of standing, walking and/or climbing stairs
• Work is performed in a manufacturing and fabrication facility with regular exposure to production equipment, moving machinery, noise and varying indoor and outdoor temperatures.

EQUIPMENT/TOOLS

• Laptop computer/iPad/Cell phone
• PPE (hard hat, gloves, safety glasses and boots)
• Basic hand tools

Baker Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Baker Group will consider reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and encourage prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the Employer.