Operations & Fabrication Manager

HR GO Recruitment; Saxmundham; On-site; GBP 44,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance-based incentives

Career progression opportunities

Job summary

HR GO Recruitment is partnering with a leading engineering fabrication company in East Suffolk to recruit an Operations & Fabrication Manager. You will own day-to-day workshop performance, ensuring quality, safety and productivity while supporting strategic growth with senior leadership.

The role requires hands-on leadership of a small skilled team, strong welding/fabrication experience, CAD interpretation, and a solid grasp of ERP/MRP systems to drive efficient fabrication workflows.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in welding, fabrication and metalwork in an engineering workshop.
• Strong understanding of fabrication techniques, materials and project timelines.
• Reading engineering drawings / CAD interpretation is essential.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills; capable of directing a small skilled team.
• Experience with production planning systems (ERP/MRP) and ISO standards is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily workshop workflows, scheduling and resource allocation.
• Lead, mentor and develop a small team of welder fabricators and technicians.
• Ensure quality, safety and productivity are maintained in operations.
• Manage materials and equipment to maximise efficiency; liaise with design/engineering teams.

Skills

Welding & fabrication

Leadership

Production planning / ERP-MRP

Reading drawings / CAD interpretation

Tools

AutoCAD

Inventor / SolidWorks

Job description

Operations & Fabrication Manager

Location: Saxmundham, East Suffolk

Employment Type: Permanent

Salary Guide: £44,000 - £46,500 PA, depending on experience + Performance based incentives

About Our Client

We're working with a leading specialist engineering fabrication company that delivers high-quality metalwork, custom builds, and engineered solutions for the agriculture sector. As part of their growth strategy, they're seeking a hands-on leader to manage all workshop and production operations.

The Role

As Operations & Fabrication Manager, you'll take ownership of day-to-day workshop performance, ensuring quality, safety, and productivity, while collaborating with senior leadership to identify new business opportunities and support strategic growth.

Key Responsibilities

Workshop Operations

• Oversee daily workflows, scheduling, and resource allocation.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a small skilled team of welder fabricators and technicians.
• Maintain high standards of quality, accuracy, and health & safety compliance.
• Manage materials and equipment to maximise efficiency.
• Work closely with design and engineering team to deliver client requirements.

Commercial Support

• Plan, schedule and control fabrication workflows using ERP/MRP systems
• Control operational budgets, inventory and supplier performance, monitor labour and material costs, approve CAPEX for tooling/machinery.
• Support client engagement through proposals, quotes, and presentations.
• Represent the company at trade shows and networking events.

Ideal Candidate

• Proven experience in Welding, fabrication, metalwork within an engineering workshop environment.
• Solid understanding of fabrication techniques, materials, and project timelines.
• Reading engineering drawings / CAD interpretation.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent communication and organisational abilities.
• Production planning / ERP-MRP.

Desirable

• Experience of AutoCAD and 3D CAD Software, like Inventor or SolidWorks, Industry contacts and networks.
• Experience with estimating, quoting, and technical drawings.
• Knowledge of ISO standards and best-practice workshop procedures.

What's on Offer

• A senior role with autonomy and influence.
• Competitive salary + performance-based incentives.
• Opportunities to shape workshop operations and contribute to growth strategy.
• Professional development and career progression.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

HRGO is committed to equal opportunities for all