Fabrication Operations Manager — Multi-Shift, KPI-Driven

Tes Recruiting; Cookeville (TN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Tes Recruiting in Cookeville, TN is seeking a hands-on Production Manager to lead fabrication operations, covering material handling, cutting, grooving and welded-system production. This role oversees daily execution across two shifts and develops supervisors to improve throughput, quality, labor efficiency and schedule performance.

The ideal candidate is floor-oriented, comfortable holding people accountable, uses KPIs to identify issues, and collaborates cross-functionally to remove

Qualifications

• 5+ years in manufacturing/fabrication/industrial operations.
• 3+ years of direct people leadership, multi-shift.
• Experience with cutting, welding, material handling.
• Proven use of KPIs to drive improvements.
• Lean/continuous improvement experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily production execution across material handling, cutting, grooving, and fabrication operations on first and second shift.
• Directly lead production supervisors and hourly employees, reinforcing clear expectations, standard work, safety, and accountability.
• Own and improve core operational metrics including throughput, first-pass yield, cycle time, downtime, labor efficiency, scrap/rework, WIP, and schedule adherence.
• Maintain a strong daily presence on the production floor to identify bottlenecks, observe process discipline, and ensure priorities are executed consistently.
• Establish effective shift handoffs so production priorities, issues, performance data, and accountability carry seamlessly between shifts.
• Partner with Planning, Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, and Supply Chain to resolve production constraints, recurring quality issues, and material-flow challenges.
• Lead targeted continuous-improvement initiatives that reduce WIP, improve flow, level-load work across shifts, and create sustainable operating improvements.
• Support hiring, onboarding, coaching, performance management, and leadership development for supervisors and production team members.

Skills

Manufacturing experience

People leadership

KPI-driven

Cross-functional collaboration

Continuous improvement

Job description

Tes Recruiting in Cookeville, TN is seeking a hands-on Production Manager to lead fabrication operations, covering material handling, cutting, grooving and welded-system production. This role oversees daily execution across two shifts and develops supervisors to improve throughput, quality, labor efficiency and schedule performance.

The ideal candidate is floor-oriented, comfortable holding people accountable, uses KPIs to identify issues, and collaborates cross-functionally to remove