Fabrication Manager

Job Description

Job Description

FABRICATION MANAGER

Manufacturing Operations

Position Summary

Wanco is seeking an experienced Fabrication Manager to lead the performance and development of our fabrication operation, including welding, cutting, forming, blasting, and related manufacturing processes. This position combines operational leadership with continuous improvement, requiring a hands-on leader who can develop people, improve processes, optimize equipment, and drive business results.

The ideal candidate understands that high-performing manufacturing organizations are built through strong teams, disciplined processes, data-driven decisions, and cross-functional collaboration. This role is responsible for delivering safe, efficient, and high-quality production while helping shape the future capabilities of the fabrication department.

Reports to Operations Leadership and oversees fabrication supervisors, leads, and production personnel across one or more shifts.

Why This Role Matters

This position plays a critical role in advancing Wanco's manufacturing capabilities. The Fabrication Manager will have the opportunity to strengthen operations, develop future leaders, improve production performance, and help shape the direction of the company's fabrication strategy for years to come.

Key Responsibilities

Department Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead, coach, and develop supervisors, team leads, and fabrication personnel.
• Establish clear expectations, accountability, and performance standards.
• Build training and development programs to improve technical and leadership capabilities.
• Support workforce planning, succession development, and hiring initiatives.
• Foster a culture of ownership, safety, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Operational Excellence

• Direct daily fabrication operations to ensure production schedules, quality standards, and customer commitments are achieved.
• Balance labor, equipment, materials, and capacity to maximize throughput and efficiency.
• Develop and maintain standardized work practices, visual controls, work instructions, and production processes.
• Monitor departmental performance and implement corrective actions to address operational challenges.
• Identify and eliminate production bottlenecks using structured problem-solving methodologies.

Safety & Quality Leadership

• Champion a zero-incident safety culture and ensure compliance with all company safety requirements.
• Lead investigations, corrective actions, and preventive measures related to safety and quality issues.
• Partner with Quality and Engineering teams to improve manufacturing consistency and product quality.
• Maintain compliance with applicable quality standards and support continuous process improvement initiatives.

Continuous Improvement & Lean Manufacturing

• Lead waste reduction initiatives focused on improving flow, productivity, quality, and cost.
• Implement and sustain Lean Manufacturing principles including 5S, visual management, pull systems, and standard work.
• Drive root-cause analysis and corrective action activities using proven problem-solving methods.
• Identify opportunities for process automation, equipment improvements, and productivity enhancements.

Performance Management & Metrics

• Establish and manage departmental performance indicators including:
• • Safety
  • Productivity
  • Throughput
  • First-pass yield
  • Labor efficiency
  • Equipment uptime
  • Scrap and rework
  • On-time delivery
• Utilize metrics and operational data to drive decision-making and prioritize improvement efforts.
• Communicate departmental results, risks, and improvement plans to leadership.

Capacity Planning & Capital Projects

• Assess future equipment, tooling, facility, and staffing requirements to support growth.
• Lead planning and execution of capital improvement projects.
• Develop justified capital investment recommendations based on productivity, quality, capacity, and return-on-investment considerations.
• Support facility layout improvements, cell production design, and manufacturing process optimization.

Inventory & Systems Management

• Manage inventory accuracy and material flow within the department.
• Ensure proper utilization of ERP/MRP systems and accurate transaction management.
• Partner with Supply Chain, Planning, and Engineering teams to improve material availability and production readiness.
• Support kanban and pull-based replenishment systems where applicable.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Serve as the primary fabrication representative in production planning and operational reviews.
• Work closely with Engineering to improve manufacturability and support new product introductions.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain, Quality, Finance, and Operations teams to achieve company objectives.
• Evaluate make-versus-buy decisions and manufacturing strategies to improve overall business performance.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience within manufacturing or fabrication operations.
• Strong working knowledge of metal fabrication processes including welding, cutting, forming, and assembly.
• Experience leading supervisors, leads, and production employees.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and manufacturing documentation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with demonstrated root-cause analysis experience.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles including 5S, visual management, standardized work, and continuous improvement.
• Effective communication and leadership skills with the ability to influence across departments.
• Knowledge of welding quality standards and AWS-related requirements. (AWS D1.1/D9.1 familiarity, WPS/PQR management)
• TPM (Total Productive Maintenance) experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Business, or a related field.
• Experience with ISO 9001 quality systems.
• Experience leading facility, equipment, automation, or capital improvement projects.
• Knowledge of robotic welding, manufacturing automation, or advanced fabrication technologies.
• SMED/Quick Changeover experience.
• Six Sigma or Lean certification.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems and inventory management practices.
• Budget planning and cost management experience.
• Experience implementing and managing production metrics and performance measurement systems.

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

• Primarily based within a manufacturing environment with regular exposure to fabrication operations.
• Ability to walk production areas, stand for extended periods, and interact directly with manufacturing equipment and personnel.
• Overtime and Attendance administration
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.
• Must comply with all PPE and safety requirements.
• Occasional travel may be required for supplier visits, equipment evaluations, training, or project support.
• Noise exposure, temperature variation, fumes and particulates, respirator use and fit-test implications.

Reporting: This position reports to the COO.

Salary Range: $110,000-$145,000 annually, based on qualifications.

Benefits : Insurance (Medical, Dental, Life, 401k). Paid time off and holidays.

Wanco Inc. Address: 5870 Tennyson Street, Arvada, CO 80003 | wanco.com

Wanco is the industryʼs leading manufacturer of highway safety and traffic control products. Innovation and new product development have made us what we are, and will continue to carry our reputation forward, well into the future.

Wanco provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Company Description

Wanco is the industryʼs leading manufacturer of highway safety and traffic control products. Innovation and new product development have made us what we are, and will continue to carry our reputation forward, well into the future.\r\n\r\nWanco provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.