Fabrication Operations Leader: Lean & Safety

Wanco Inc.; Arvada (CO); On-site; USD 110,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Insurance

401k

Paid time off

Job summary

Wanco Inc. is seeking an experienced Fabrication Manager to lead the fabrication operation, including welding, cutting, forming, blasting, and related processes.

You will drive safety, quality, and productivity while developing people and improving processes. You will supervise fabrication supervisors, leads, and production personnel across shifts, collaborating with Quality, Engineering, and Supply Chain to meet schedules and customer commitments.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience within manufacturing or fabrication operations.
• Strong 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.

Skills

Leadership

Welding

Fabrication

Engineering drawings

Lean Manufacturing

TPM

Welding standards

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

Wanco Inc. is seeking an experienced Fabrication Manager to lead the fabrication operation, including welding, cutting, forming, blasting, and related processes.

You will drive safety, quality, and productivity while developing people and improving processes. You will supervise fabrication supervisors, leads, and production personnel across shifts, collaborating with Quality, Engineering, and Supply Chain to meet schedules and customer commitments.