Panel Shop Manager

Job Description

Job Description

PPS is seeking an experienced Panel Shop Manager to lead our control panel fabrication operation.

This is a plant-manager-level leadership position responsible for the people, production, quality, scheduling, safety, and compliance of the panel shop.

The ideal candidate has a strong background managing a UL 508A control panel shop and understands what it takes to build quality panels efficiently, manage production schedules, develop employees, and maintain compliance across every project.

This person will work closely with Engineering, Project Management, Purchasing, Field Operations, and the Controls Operations Manager to ensure panels are built correctly, delivered on time, and meet all applicable codes, standards, and customer requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Shop Leadership & People

• Lead the day-to-day operation of the panel shop.
• Manage, schedule, and develop panel shop employees.
• Establish clear expectations for safety, quality, productivity, and workmanship.
• Recruit, train, and develop panel technicians and electricians.
• Build a strong team and develop future shop leaders.
• Monitor employee performance and address issues promptly.
• Create a professional, organized, and accountable shop environment.

Production Management

• Plan and manage panel shop production schedules.
• Coordinate production priorities with Project Management and Engineering.
• Ensure materials, drawings, components, and information are available before production begins.
• Monitor production progress and identify schedule risks early.
• Manage shop capacity, labor requirements, and workload.
• Improve productivity, workflow, organization, and shop efficiency.
• Reduce rework, delays, material waste, and production bottlenecks.
• Ensure completed panels are ready for testing, delivery, and field installation on schedule.

UL 508A & Compliance

UL 508A knowledge and experience is required.

• Maintain the shop's UL 508A compliance and certification requirements.
• Ensure control panels are designed, fabricated, labeled, inspected, and documented in accordance with applicable UL requirements.
• Maintain required UL documentation, procedures, and records.
• Ensure projects meet applicable NEC, NFPA, UL, OSHA, and customer requirements.
• Review panel construction and fabrication practices for compliance.
• Maintain proper labeling, wire identification, component ratings, SCCR requirements, grounding, spacing, and other applicable requirements.
• Coordinate with Engineering and other responsible parties to resolve compliance issues.
• Stay current on applicable code and standard changes.
• Maintain shop readiness for UL inspections and audits.
• Ensure deficiencies are identified, documented, and corrected.

Quality Control

• Establish and maintain panel shop quality standards.
• Inspect work throughout the fabrication process.
• Ensure panels are built according to approved drawings, BOMs, specifications, and customer requirements.
• Establish testing and inspection procedures.
• Ensure electrical and functional testing is completed before panels leave the shop.
• Track defects, rework, and quality issues.
• Identify recurring problems and implement corrective actions.
• Maintain accurate project documentation and quality records.

Project Coordination

• Work closely with Project Managers and Controls Engineers to understand project requirements.
• Coordinate panel fabrication schedules with overall project schedules.
• Review drawings and BOMs before production.
• Identify missing information, design conflicts, or material issues before they affect production.
• Communicate schedule risks and production issues quickly.
• Coordinate panel completion, testing, shipping, and field delivery.
• Support field teams when panel issues arise during installation or commissioning.

Materials & Inventory

• Coordinate with Purchasing to ensure materials are available when needed.
• Monitor critical components and long-lead items.
• Establish organized material storage and inventory practices.
• Reduce material shortages, excess inventory, damage, and waste.
• Ensure components are properly identified and controlled.

Safety

• Maintain a safe and organized panel shop.
• Ensure employees follow company safety policies and applicable OSHA requirements.
• Establish safe work practices for electrical assembly, testing, lifting, tools, and equipment.
• Address safety issues immediately.
• Promote a culture where safety is everyone's responsibility.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve shop productivity and efficiency.
• Improve shop layout, workflow, tooling, equipment, and production methods.
• Establish standard work practices.
• Track production performance and key shop KPIs.
• Reduce labor hours, rework, and production delays.
• Introduce processes that allow the shop to increase capacity without sacrificing quality.

Required Qualifications

• 5–8+ years of control panel fabrication experience.
• Proven experience managing a panel shop or similar electrical manufacturing operation.
• UL 508A License is required.
• Strong UL 508A knowledge and experience is required.
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing shop personnel.
• Strong understanding of electrical control panels and industrial electrical systems.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, panel layouts, BOMs, and control drawings.
• Strong understanding of NEC, NFPA, UL, and OSHA requirements.
• Experience with panel inspection, testing, labeling, and documentation.
• Experience managing production schedules and shop capacity.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to coordinate effectively with engineering, project management, purchasing, and field teams.