Plant Operations Supervisor – Metal Fabrication

Virginia Economic Development Partnership; Virginia Beach (VA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Economic Development Partnership is seeking an Assistant Plant Supervisor to oversee daily manufacturing operations at the Virginia Beach facility. You will ensure safety, quality, training and productivity across shifts while coordinating with maintenance and QA teams.

Responsibilities include crane operation, tank testing, documentation, and adherence to drawings and specifications. Strong leadership, blueprint reading and hands-on welding support are valued.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of metal fabrication processes and shop operations.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage daily priorities.
• Ability to read blueprints, foreman reports, material tags and gauges.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Excel and PowerPoint) is strongly preferred.
• Experience with QuickBooks is helpful.
• Valid driver’s license and flexibility to work overtime, weekends or travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Ensure all safety, quality, training and manufacturing processes are consistently followed.
• Provide daily oversight to maintain full coverage and productivity across all shifts.
• Perform tank testing and ensure proper documentation is completed.
• Operate overhead cranes to move tanks, units, materials and equipment safely.
• Assist with completing QA inspection sheets and meeting required deadlines.
• Ensure all machines and equipment—including welding, cutting, grinding tools, cranes and forklifts—are used properly and safely.
• Maintain productivity levels across all teams and monitor progress to meet scheduled completion dates.
• Verify teams have necessary tools, materials and equipment to avoid downtime.
• Support welding teams as needed, including hands‑on welding assistance when coverage is low.
• Ensure all work is completed in accordance with approved drawings and specifications.
• Help solve production challenges and escalates issues as appropriate.
• Inspect equipment (cranes, chains, straps, forklifts and controls) for defects or hazards.
• Maintain a clean and safe work environment by enforcing designated cleanup times.
• Ensure all employees wear required PPE and comply with all safety rules.
• Enforce certification requirements for equipment operators (forklift, crane, JLG, etc.).
• Reinforce all company safety policies, including no horseplay and no cell phone use in the shop.
• Support completion and submission of quarterly maintenance forms.
• Ensure daily equipment checklists (cranes, forklifts, etc.) are completed.
• Report equipment issues immediately to maintenance, including welding machines, plasma cutters, cords and lifting devices.
• Review drawings and complete material order forms as needed.
• Fill out calculation sheets for metal cutting and bending requirements.
• Attend production meetings when the Supervisor is unavailable.
• Ensure employees clock into correct job assignments for accurate labor tracking.
• Review job packets and assist with cost‑out documentation.

Skills

Blueprint reading

Leadership

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Communication skills

Overtime adaptability

Tools

Overhead cranes

Tape measures

Calipers

MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint)

QuickBooks

Job description

Virginia Economic Development Partnership is seeking an Assistant Plant Supervisor to oversee daily manufacturing operations at the Virginia Beach facility. You will ensure safety, quality, training and productivity across shifts while coordinating with maintenance and QA teams.

Responsibilities include crane operation, tank testing, documentation, and adherence to drawings and specifications. Strong leadership, blueprint reading and hands-on welding support are valued.