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About 54blue

54blue is a multidisciplinary design and fabrication studio that brings brands to life in physical retail environments across North America.We combine industrial design, technical development, manufacturing and hands-on craftsmanship to create retail fixtures, displays, environments and custom-built solutions for some of the world’s leading brands.We are designers, builders and problem solvers. We value great ideas, exceptional craftsmanship and people who take pride in figuring out how to make ambitious things real.

The Role

We are looking for an experienced Fabrication Manager to lead our Calgary fabrication shop.

This is a hands-on leadership position.

You will be responsible for keeping projects, people and production moving, but you also need to be comfortable stepping onto the shop floor and helping build when required.The right person understands how things are actually made. You have strong millwork, cabinetmaking and woodworking skills, are comfortable working with metal, can read technical drawings, understand materials and manufacturing processes, and know how to turn a design into a finished product.You will work closely with our Industrial Design and production teams to take projects from technical development through estimating, fabrication, finishing, assembly, installation and final quality control.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the day-to-day operation of the 54blue fabrication shop.
• Plan and coordinate multiple projects moving through production simultaneously.
• Work hands-on alongside the fabrication team when required.
• Lead and support local installations of completed projects.
• Translate technical drawings and design intent into practical fabrication solutions.
• Provide fabrication expertise to our Industrial Designers during project development.
• Estimate complete projects, including materials, labour, fabrication time, finishing, outside services, installation requirements and other production costs.
• Oversee millwork, cabinetmaking, woodworking, metal fabrication, assembly and finishing.
• Coordinate material procurement and outside services required for production.
• Coordinate production schedules, people, equipment and shop resources.
• Identify fabrication challenges early and develop practical solutions.
• Maintain a high standard of fit, finish, quality and craftsmanship.
• Perform final quality control before projects leave the shop.
• Train, mentor and develop fabrication team members.
• Maintain an organized, efficient and safe shop environment.
• Establish and improve fabrication processes, workflows and best practices.
• Coordinate with outside manufacturing and specialty partners when required.
• Ensure tools and equipment are properly maintained and operating safely.

What We’re Looking For

You are an experienced fabricator and builder who has developed the leadership skills to run a shop and a team.

You should bring:

• Strong millwork and cabinetmaking experience.
• Strong woodworking knowledge and hands-on fabrication ability.
• Practical metalworking and metal fabrication skills.
• Experience with assembly, finishing and installation.
• Experience leading or supervising a fabrication, millwork or manufacturing team.
• Experience estimating complete fabrication projects, including labour, materials, finishing, outside services and installation.
• Strong understanding of materials, hardware, fasteners and fabrication methods.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and specifications.
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting ability.
• Experience planning production and coordinating multiple concurrent projects.
• High standards for quality, fit and finish.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• A practical, collaborative approach to working with designers and other disciplines.
• Commitment to maintaining a clean and safe working environment.
• Knowledge of WCB Alberta requirements and shop safety practices.

A relevant trade certification, apprenticeship, technical education or post-secondary education is valuable, but equivalent hands-on experience is equally important to us.

Bonus Skills

These aren’t requirements, but they are valuable additions:

• CNC operation, programming or setup.
• Laser cutting or engraving experience.
• CAD/CAM experience.
• Welding and advanced metal fabrication.
• Spray finishing.
• Experience building retail fixtures, displays, exhibits or custom environments.
• Experience coordinating installations and working on active commercial sites.

Working Conditions

This is an on-site, hands-on position based at 54blue’s Calgary headquarters.

The Fabrication Manager should be comfortable:

• Working Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM.
• Working regularly on the fabrication floor.
• Operating woodworking, millwork, metalworking and finishing equipment.
• Standing and moving throughout the shop during the workday.
• Working around dust, noise and fabrication processes while using appropriate PPE.
• Lifting and moving materials up to approximately 50 lbs.
• Participating in local installations as required.

Who Will Thrive Here

We’re looking for someone who enjoys making things.

Someone who can look at a drawing, understand how it needs to go together, accurately estimate what it will take to build, identify the problems before they become problems and help the team build it properly.You don’t need to know everything. You do need to be technically capable, organized, curious and willing to get your hands dirty.If you take pride in great craftsmanship, enjoy solving unusual fabrication challenges and want to lead a talented team building interesting work, we’d like to meet you.