Fabrication Operations Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

About Us:

Panelmatic, Inc. was founded in 1957 in Youngstown, OH to serve manufacturing industries with the design and build of custom electrical, instrument, and pneumatic control panels. Our business has sufficiently grown over the years to support expansion for our clients. We have produced control packages for many of America's top corporations in the chemical, environmental, food, pulp and paper, rubber, petroleum, pharmaceutical, glass, metals, and utilities industries. We also deliver equipment for use worldwide. Our rigorous methodology assures compliance with domestic and international standards. We can meet the needs of our diverse clientele from start to finish through sales, design, fabrication, testing, and delivery.

Since 1957, we have been known for our high-quality, custom-built control packages, our comprehensive service, and our technological and manufacturing expertise. This expertise assures you of our ability to handle the largest and most complex packages quickly and efficiently.

Job Summary:

Panelmatic Inc. is seeking an experienced and results-driven Metal Fabrication Manager to oversee the daily operations and overall performance of the metal fabrication department. The Metal Fabrication Manager will lead fabrication personnel, manage production activities, ensure quality standards are met, and support the timely completion of custom metal buildings, electrical enclosures, control panels, and fabricated components.

 This position is responsible for production planning, staffing, workflow management, quality control, equipment utilization, employee development, safety, and continuous improvement. The Metal Fabrication Manager will work closely with Project Management, Engineering, Production, Quality, and other departments to ensure fabrication activities align with project requirements, customer specifications, and production schedules.

 The ideal candidate will have extensive hands-on experience in metal fabrication and a proven track record of successfully leading teams in a manufacturing or industrial environment. This position requires a strong leader who can balance production demands, quality expectations, employee development, and operational efficiency.

Job Duties:

• Provide overall leadership and direction for the metal fabrication department.
• Supervise, train, coach, and develop fabrication personnel, including Supervisors, Leads, and Fabricators.
• Establish daily and weekly production priorities based on project schedules, customer requirements, and available resources.
• Assign work based on employee skill sets, project requirements, and production priorities.
• Monitor employee performance, productivity, attendance, and development.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide constructive feedback.
• Participate in hiring, interviewing, onboarding, training, and performance management activities.
• Develop and maintain a skilled and productive fabrication team.
• Establish clear expectations and hold employees accountable for safety, quality, productivity, and performance.
• Promote a culture of teamwork, accountability, safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Production Planning & Workflow
• Oversee daily fabrication operations to ensure production goals and project deadlines are met.
• Coordinate with Project Management, Engineering, Production, and other departments to prioritize fabrication activities.
• Review production schedules and adjust staffing, resources, and priorities to prevent delays.
• Monitor workflow throughout the department and identify potential bottlenecks.
• Ensure materials, equipment, labor, and other resources are available to support production.
• Track project progress and communicate potential schedule concerns to leadership.
• Balance workload across fabrication teams to maximize productivity and efficiency.
• Ensure fabricated components are completed and released to the next stage of production on schedule.
• Metal Fabrication Operations
• Oversee the setup and operation of metal fabrication machinery and equipment.
• Ensure fabrication activities are performed according to blueprints, drawings, schematics, work orders, and project specifications.
• Provide technical guidance and support for complex fabrication activities.
• Ensure proper layout, measurement, cutting, drilling, bending, forming, grinding, and assembly of fabricated components.
• Ensure fabricated parts and assemblies meet required dimensional specifications.
• Troubleshoot fabrication issues and identify solutions to minimize downtime, scrap, and rework.
• Ensure proper use and maintenance of hand tools, power tools, and fabrication equipment.
• Support hands-on fabrication activities when necessary to meet production requirements.
• Coordinate equipment maintenance and communicate repair needs to the appropriate personnel.
• Quality Control
• Establish and maintain quality standards for the fabrication department.
• Ensure products meet dimensional, structural, and quality requirements.
• Review blueprints, schematics, and specifications to verify fabrication requirements.
• Ensure employees properly measure, inspect, and verify completed work.
• Conduct or oversee final inspections before fabricated components are released for delivery or the next stage of production.
• Identify quality issues and implement corrective actions.
• Work with Quality and Engineering to resolve non-conformances and recurring fabrication issues.
• Reduce scrap, rework, and material waste through effective quality control and process improvements.
• Maintain compliance with applicable Quality Assurance Procedures (QAPs).
• Safety
• Promote and enforce all company safety policies and procedures.
• Ensure employees are properly trained in safe operating procedures for fabrication equipment and tools.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe fabrication environment.
• Address unsafe work practices and conditions promptly.
• Ensure proper use of required PPE.
• Participate in safety meetings, inspections, and corrective action initiatives.
• Promote a strong culture of safety and accountability throughout the department.
• Equipment & Maintenance
• Monitor the condition and performance of fabrication machinery and equipment.
• Ensure equipment is properly operated, maintained, and inspected.
• Coordinate preventive maintenance activities to minimize equipment downtime.
• Identify equipment replacement, repair, or upgrade needs.
• Work with Maintenance and other departments to resolve equipment issues.
• Evaluate equipment and tooling needs to improve productivity and fabrication capabilities.
• Continuous Improvement
• Identify opportunities to improve fabrication processes, productivity, quality, and efficiency.
• Implement process improvements that reduce waste, downtime, rework, and unnecessary labor.
• Support Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Standardize fabrication processes and best practices where appropriate.
• Use production data and employee feedback to identify operational improvements.
• Evaluate new tools, equipment, technology, and processes that may improve department performance.
• Reporting & KPIs
• Maintain accurate production, quality, equipment, and employee records.
• Monitor and report department KPIs, including:
• Production output
• Productivity
• Labor utilization
• Schedule adherence
• Material usage
• Scrap and rework
• Quality performance
• Equipment downtime
• Safety performance
• Analyze production data and develop corrective actions when performance goals are not being met.
• Provide regular updates regarding department performance, staffing, production status, and operational concerns.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Work closely with Project Management, Engineering, Quality, Production, Procurement, and other departments.
• Participate in production and project planning meetings.
• Communicate fabrication requirements, project status, resource needs, and potential schedule risks.
• Collaborate with Engineering to resolve drawing, design, and fabrication issues.
• Coordinate with Procurement to ensure required materials are available.
• Support successful project execution from fabrication through final assembly and delivery.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• 5+ years of experience in metal fabrication, manufacturing, industrial fabrication, or a related field.
• 3+ years of supervisory or management experience in a manufacturing or industrial fabrication environment.
• Advanced knowledge of metal fabrication processes, tools, machinery, and equipment.
• Strong understanding of quality assurance procedures and fabrication standards.
• Proficiency in reading and interpreting blueprints, schematics, drawings, and work orders.
• Strong understanding of measurements, tolerances, and dimensional requirements.
• Ability to read a tape measure and accurately perform measurements.
• Ability to convert decimals to fractions and utilize conversion charts.
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Strong analytical, observational, and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities.
• Ability to work effectively with employees at all levels of the organization.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications preferred.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems preferred.
• Preferred Qualifications
• Associate degree or technical certification in Manufacturing, Welding, Metal Fabrication, Industrial Technology, or a related field.
• Experience managing fabrication operations in a custom manufacturing environment.
• Experience with CNC fabrication equipment.
• Experience with sheet metal fabrication and structural metal fabrication.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing or continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience developing and monitoring production KPIs.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, HSA, term life, AD&D, STD, LTD
• 100% medical premium paid by Panelmatic for employee-only coverage
• 80% Panelmatic-paid / 20% employee-paid dependent coverage
• 401(k) contributions matched 100% up to 4%
• Scholarships, educational reimbursement, paid volunteerism, and professional development
• PTO and paid holidays
• Career advancement opportunities
• Competitive wages
• Family-friendly environment with average employee tenure above five years