Manager of Steel Fabrication

Freedom Waterworks; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Freedom Waterworks is seeking a Manager of Steel Fabrication to lead the daily operations of the Steel Fabrication department. You will drive production, labor planning, quality, inventory, and equipment performance while collaborating with Sales, Project Management, Purchasing, and Drafting to meet customer expectations and company goals.

The role requires strong leadership, scheduling expertise, and a commitment to safety and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Experience leading steel fabrication or manufacturing teams.
• Ability to read fabrication drawings, blueprints, and isometric drawings.
• Familiarity with AWWA, AWS, ASME, SPFA, OSHA requirements is a plus.
• Bachelor's degree preferred; equivalent combination of education and experience considered.

Responsibilities

• Oversee steel fabrication operations, including production scheduling and labor planning.
• Lead, coach, develop, and hold accountable shop supervisors and fabrication staff.
• Coordinate fabrication priorities with Sales, Project Management, Purchasing, Warehouse, Paint, and Drafting.
• Ensure all fabricated products meet quality standards and customer specs.
• Own safety programs, ensuring compliance, audits, and training.
• Assist with budgeting, procurement planning, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Production scheduling

Labor management

Quality control

Blueprint reading

Leadership

ERP systems

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

ERP systems

Microsoft Office

Microsoft Dynamics 365

Job description

Manager of Steel Fabrication

Department: Steel

FLSA Status: Exempt

Job Status: Full Time

Reports To: VP of Operations

Positions Supervised: Steel Fab Foreman, Steel, Fitters, Fab Coordinator, Shop Personnel

Summary/Objective

The Steel Manager is responsible for leading the daily operations of the Steel Fabrication department to ensure work is completed safely, efficiently, on schedule, and in accordance with Freedom Waterworks' quality standards. This position lead production, labor, scheduling, quality, inventory, equipment, and employee performance while collaborating with Sales, Project Management, Purchasing, Warehouse, Paint, and Drafting to meet customer expectations and operational goals. P&L responsible.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversee steel fabrication operations, including production scheduling, labor planning, equipment utilization, inventory coordination, welding activities, and workflow to ensure customer orders are completed safely, on time, and within quality standards.


• Lead, coach, develop, and hold accountable shop supervisors and fabrication employees.


• Coordinate fabrication priorities with Sales, Project Management, Purchasing, Warehouse, Paint, and Drafting.


• Ensure all fabricated products meet company quality standards and applicable customer specifications.


• Serve as the department owner for SPFA, , and all safety programs, ensuring compliance, documentation, audits, employee training, and adherence to company and regulatory standards.


• Ensure compliance with applicable AWWA, AWS, ASME, OSHA, and company policies and procedures.


• Oversee welding procedures, inspections, preventive maintenance, and material availability to support production schedules.


• Identify and implement process improvements that increase productivity, reduce waste, improve quality, and control costs.


• Assist with hiring, onboarding, training, performance management, employee development, disciplinary actions, and succession planning.


• Support departmental budgeting, capital equipment planning, and continuous improvement initiatives.


• Build strong working relationships across departments to ensure exceptional customer service and project execution.


• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Experience with production scheduling, labor management, quality control, and inventory coordination.


• Strong leadership, coaching, communication, organizational, and decision-making skills.


• Ability to read and interpret fabrication drawings, blueprints, specifications, and isometric drawings.


• Strong understanding of AWWA, AWS, ASME, SPFA, NSF/ANSI/CAN 61, and OSHA requirements.


• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ERP systems such as Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central or similar manufacturing software.


• Ability to analyze production metrics and implement process improvements.

Education and Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience, preferably in a manufacturing or fabrication environment.


• Experience supervising teams of 15 or more employees and managing production schedules.


• Bachelor's degree preferred; equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in both office and manufacturing environments.


• Frequent walking throughout the fabrication facility.


• Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.


• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) while in production areas.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Freedom Waterworks is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.