Pre-Fabrication Department Lead

Kaizen Lab Inc.; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

4 day work week

Insurance options with employer match

Opportunity for advancement

Job summary

AVANTech, LLC in Columbia, SC is seeking a Pre-Fabrication Department Lead to guide a team of skilled operators and fabricators, ensuring safe, high‑quality, and on‑time production. The role blends hands‑on fabrication with people management, removing barriers for the team and enforcing stringent quality protocols to meet nuclear-grade standards.

You will lead kickoff meetings, coordinate floor activities, mentor operators on rollers, CNCs and waterjets, monitor metrics, and drive continuous

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in industrial fabrication or manufacturing with leadership.
• Strong hands-on experience with rollers, CNC machinery, and waterjets.
• Ability to read complex industrial blueprints, weld symbols, and drawings.
• Experience with quality tracking, travelers, and material traceability (Nuclear Grade a plus).

Responsibilities

• Lead kickoff and coordination of daily production tasks and safety goals.
• Manage floor operations, answer technical questions, and remove bottlenecks.
• Set up and troubleshoot fabrication machinery as needed (rollers, CNC, waterjets).
• Ensure 100% material traceability and work with QA to maintain standards.
• Mentor and evaluate team members, monitor attendance and performance.

Skills

Lead by example

Safety mindset

Technical adaptability

Attention to detail

Cool under pressure

Team motivation

Excel basics

Communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Rollers

CNC machinery

Waterjet

Job description

AVANTech, LLC solvessome of the most challenging problems in the water industry – from being firstresponders to the Fukushima Nuclear Plant meltdown to implementing patentedfirst-of-its-kind technology. AVANTech’s goal is to improve the environment aroundus and support our clients with innovative sustainable water treatmentsolutions.

Job Summary

The Pre-Fabrication Department Lead is responsible for guiding a team of skilled operators and fabricators to ensure safe, high-quality, and on-time production. In this role, you will balance daily hands-on fabrication operations with personnel management, knocking down barriers for your team, ensuring strict adherence to quality protocols, and keeping production metrics on track.

A Day in the Life:

On any given day, your routine will blend floor leadership, technical execution, and quality oversight:

• Kickoff & Coordination: start the day by reviewing production schedules, assigning tasks to team members, and conducting a morning huddle to discuss safety and production goals
• On-the-Floor Leadership: Spend significant time on the shop floor managing the team, answering technical questions, and actively eliminating bottlenecks to keep your team "rolling"
• Advanced Machinery Operations: Step in to set up, operate, or troubleshoot our specialized fabrication machinery (including our plate roller, angle roller, CNC machine, and waterjet) when specialized technical expertise or cross-coverage is required
• Rigorous Quality Control: Review process travelers, verify part dimensions, and ensure 100% material traceability. You will work closely with Quality Control to maintain strict compliance, especially on high-stakes or nuclear-grade equipment
• Mentorship & Accountability: Train newer team members on our specific line-up of equipment and processes. Monitor attendance, punctuality, and attention to detail across your shift, addressing any performance or rework issues in real-time
• Continuous Improvement: Track production time, identify process inefficiencies, and collaborate with management on workflow optimization

What Will Set You Up for Success:

The ideal candidate isn't just a great fabricator, they are an organized communicator and a natural problem solver. You will thrive in this role if you possess:

• A "Lead by Example" Work Ethic: Exceptional personal attendance, punctuality, and a proactive attitude that sets the standard for the entire department
• A Safety-First Mindset: An uncompromising dedication to both your personal safety and the safety of every employee on your floor
• Technical Adaptability: Deep familiarity with a variety of fabrication equipment. Because we utilize single, specialized units of key machinery, your ability to jump in, dial in dimensions, and keep these critical machines running smoothly is paramount.
• Obsessive Attention to Detail: A habit of checking behind yourself and your team, ensuring parts are verified correctly the first time to eliminate costly rework down the line
• Cool Under Pressure: The ability to pivot when production schedules change, material variances occur, or technical issues arise, keeping your team calm and focused.

Job Requirements

Experience & Education

3-5 years of experience in an industrial fabrication or manufacturing environment, with a proven track record of informal or formal leadership.

Strong hands-on experience operating industrial fabrication machinery (specifically rollers, CNC machinery, and waterjets).

Ability to read and accurately interpret complex industrial blueprints, weld symbols, and technical fabrication drawings.

Skills & Knowledge

Experience working with strict quality assurance tracking, process travelers, and material traceability protocols (experience with Q1 Nuclear Grade or similar highly regulated manufacturing is a strong plus)

Demonstrated ability to motivate a team, manage floor workflows, train junior personnel, and handle minor conflict resolution.

Proficiency with basic spreadsheet software (e.g. Excel) for time studies, tracking production logs, or inventory management.

Physical & Environmental Requirements

Must be able to stand, walk, and lift up to 75 lbs regularly in accordance with company standard safety policies.

Comfortable working in a heavy industrial shop environment around heavy machinery, wearing all required PPE at all times.

High school diploma or equivalent, additional education preferred.

Must be able to lift up to 50lbs, stand for extended periods of time, read and walk. Candidates must be able to pass drug test, physical and possible background check. Responsible for the safe handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste materials in compliance with federal, state, and company environmental regulations.

Benefits:

4 day work week

Varied insurance offerings with company matching

Opportunity for advancement

AVANTech, LLCis an Affirmative Action/EqualOpportunity Employer