Exhibit and Display Fabrication Manager

Kids for the Future; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 81,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

Kids for the Future is seeking an Exhibit and Display Fabrication Manager to lead day-to-day fabrication shop operations, oversee custom build projects, and ensure delivery on time and on budget.

You will manage estimating, scheduling, material procurement, quality control, safety, and cross-functional coordination to translate designs into high-quality fabrication solutions that meet client expectations and Switch standards.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in Design, Construction, Engineering, Operations, or Fabrication.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in exhibit fabrication, display building, scenic fabrication, or related custom build environment.
• Minimum of 3 years AutoCAD drafting and 3D modeling experience.
• Minimum of 2 years ON-SITE tradeshow setup supervision experience.
• Proven experience estimating fabrication projects, including material and labor costing.
• Demonstrated project management experience, including scheduling, budgeting, scope management, and cross-functional coordination.

Responsibilities

• Manages day-to-day operations of the fabrication shop, ensuring builds are completed safely, on budget, and on schedule.
• Leads the execution of custom builds, including trade show exhibits and branded environments.
• Reviews design concepts and production requirements to determine fabrication approach and labor needs.
• Coordinates shop workflow across multiple projects and resources.
• Prepares accurate quotes for fabrication builds including costs and contingencies.
• Partners with cross-functional teams to clarify scope and ensure estimates reflect requirements.
• Analyzes drawings and client requests to determine build complexity and cost drivers.
• Develops and maintains production schedules, labor plans, and procurement timelines.
• Inspects builds and ensures quality and compliance with standards.
• Maintains a safe, clean, and efficient shop environment.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Organizational skills

Project management

Estimating

AutoCAD

3D modeling

On-site supervision

Fabrication knowledge

Education

Associate's degree in Design, Construction, Engineering, Operations, Fabrication, or related field

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Fabrication, or related field

Tools

AutoCAD

3D modeling software

Job description

• Location 6600 Manchester Ave,St Louis, MO, 63139,United States
• Employee Type FT Exempt
• Required Degree 2 Year Degree

The Exhibit and Display Fabrication Manager is responsible for leading the day-to-day operations of the fabrication shop and overseeing the successful execution of custom exhibit, display, scenic, and branded environment builds. This role manages estimating, scheduling, labor planning, material procurement, quality control, safety, and cross-functional coordination to ensure projects are delivered safely, accurately, on budget, and on schedule. The position partners closely with design, account, project management, production, vendor, and shop teams to translate creative concepts and technical requirements into high-quality fabrication solutions that meet client expectations and Switch standards. The compensation range for this position will start at $90,000 per year and will be based on experience.

• Manages day-to-day operations of the fabrication shop, ensuring display and exhibit builds are completed safely, accurately, on budget, and on schedule.
• Leads the execution of custom builds, including trade show exhibits, branded environments, experiential activations, scenic elements, and related fabrication projects.
• Reviews design concepts, renderings, drawings, specifications, and production requirements to determine fabrication approach, materials, labor needs, timelines, and potential build challenges.
• Coordinates shop workflow across multiple concurrent projects, balancing priorities, deadlines, staffing, and resource availability.
• Prepares accurate and timely quotes for each fabrication build, including material costs, labor hours, equipment needs, outsourced services, freight, installation considerations, and appropriate contingencies.
• Partners with account, design, project management, and production teams to clarify scope, identify assumptions, and ensure estimates reflect the full requirements of the project.
• Analyzes drawings, sketches, specifications, and client requests to determine build complexity and cost drivers.
• Creates and interprets construction plans, schematics and instructions based on creative renderings and designs.
• Tracks actual costs against estimates and use job performance data to improve future quoting accuracy.
• Identifies opportunities to value-engineer builds while maintaining design intent, durability, quality, and client expectations.
• Manages fabrication projects from estimate approval through completion, ensuring each build meets project timeline, budget, and delivery requirements.
• Develops and maintains production schedules, labor plans, material procurement timelines, and milestone checkpoints.
• Communicates project status to internal stakeholders.
• Anticipates fabrication issues and proactively resolves problems related to materials, design feasibility, labor availability, budget, or schedule.
• Manages shop labor, including union labor, to ensure appropriate staffing, productivity, quality, and compliance with applicable labor agreements, work rules, and safety expectations.
• Provides direction, coaching, and performance feedback to shop team members.
• Ensures labor hours are tracked accurately by project and aligned with approved estimates and production budgets.
• Supports a collaborative, accountable, and safety-focused shop culture.
• Ensures all builds meet Switch quality standards, client expectations, structural requirements, and production specifications.
• Inspects work in progress and completed builds to confirm accuracy, finish quality, functionality, and readiness for delivery or installation.
• Coordinates with vendors, subcontractors, and specialty fabricators when outsourced services are required.
• Ensures compliance with safety policies, equipment usage standards, and applicable workplace regulations.
• Maintains a clean, organized, safe, and efficient shop environment.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Minimum Qualifications:

• Associate’s degree in Design, Construction, Engineering, Operations, Fabrication, or related field
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in exhibit fabrication, display building, scenic fabrication, custom millwork, trade show production, experiential marketing fabrication, or a related custom build environment.
• Minimum of 3 years AutoCAD drafting and 3d modeling experience.
• Minimum of 2 years ON-SITE tradeshow setup supervision experience.
• Proven experience estimating fabrication projects, including material and labor costing.
• Demonstrated project management experience, including scheduling, budgeting, scope management, and cross-functional coordination.
• Experience managing shop labor, including union labor or labor governed by formal work rules or agreements.
• Strong knowledge of fabrication methods, materials, tools, finishes, hardware, and construction techniques used in custom displays and exhibits.
• Ability to read and interpret drawings, renderings, build plans, technical specifications, and production documents.
• Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality craftsmanship.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products including Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.

Preferred Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Fabrication, or related field
• Experience in the exhibit, trade show, museum, retail display, branded environment, or experiential marketing industry.
• Hands-on fabrication background in carpentry, millwork, metalwork, scenic construction, plastics, laminates, graphics integration, or finishing.
• Experience working with designers, engineers, account teams, and project managers in a creative production environment.
• Solid Works Certification
• Project Management Certification

Physical Demands (refer to Addendum):

• Ability to work in a physical environment and lift 50 pounds.