Ship Repair General Foreman (Plate/Weld Shop)

Frey Consulting Group; Norfolk (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellness incentives

Bonus programs

Health, dental, vision insurance

Life insurance

Paid PTO/Holidays

401K with company match

Career stability

Collaborative culture

Job summary

Tiello partners with a government and commercial ship repair contractor in Norfolk, VA, seeking a General Foreman (Plate/Weld Shop) to lead plate and weld shop fabrication. You will supervise trades, manage shop resources, and ensure safe, on-time production in ship repair projects.

Required are hands-on welding layout and QA/QC familiarity, plus 2+ years of supervisory experience; ASME/AWS codes knowledge is preferred. Excellent communication and attendance are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or Registered Apprentice with 2 years supervisory exp.
• Knowledge of design principles, ASME/AWS codes and safety standards.
• Hands-on layout, fitting, and welding of structural steel, plate and sheet metal.
• Experience supporting QA/QC programs and procedures.
• Ability to read/interpret blueprints and schematics.
• Strong verbal/written communication; reliable attendance.

Responsibilities

• Manage shop resources by assigning trades personnel to Foremen.
• Supervise, train, and evaluate semi-skilled and skilled trades personnel.
• Recommend training to enhance skill and productivity.
• Monitor foremen designations, deck plate presence, and scope understanding.
• Oversee personnel lifecycle including hiring and retention efforts.
• Handle personnel administration: pay changes, reclass requests.
• Develop workforce through mentorship and succession planning.
• Break down projects into action plans; ensure adequate shop manning.
• Approve and present project deliverables and manage material orders.
• Ensure compliance with drawings, procedures, and QA/QC.
• Oversee manufacturing and fabrication with financial impact.

Skills

Hands-on layout/welding

ASME/AWS codes knowledge

Reading blueprints/schematics

Supervisory experience

Communication skills

Welding methods and quality controls

Education

Bachelor's degree or Registered Apprentice

Tools

Overhead cranes

Saw

Iron workers

Shears

Brakes

Welding equipment

Job description

Ship Repair General Foreman (Plate/Weld Shop)

Title: Ship Repair General Foreman (Plate/Weld Shop)

Location: Norfolk, VA

Compensation: $90,000 - $115,000

• Wellness Incentives (Employee & Family)
• Bonus(s)
• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance (Employee & Family)
• Life Insurance + Long/Short Term Disability Insurance
• Paid PTO/Company Paid Holidays/Standard Paid Holidays
• 401K + Co Match
• Stability: Join a team that promotes from within and hires for long-term fit
• Accountability-driven, collaborative culture

Tiello has partnered with a highly reputable prime Government and Commercial Ship Repair contractor in Norfolk, VA on their search for a General Foreman who has experience in plate and welding shop fabrication to support operations in the shipyard.

The General Foreman (Plate/Weld Shop) maintains detailed understanding of project specifications and all requirements necessary for appropriate trades support, ensuring safe and efficient production in ship repair/industrial fabrication operations. The General Foreman will also provide oversight to qualified trades workforce & trades supervision and is responsible for meeting overall schedule, budget, quality, and safety goals of work assigned.

Job Title: General Foreman (Plate/Weld Shop)

Project Types: Government and Commercial Ship Repair

Key Responsibilities:

• Manages all shop resources by assigning trades personnel to Foremen based on project needs.
• Supports trades foremen in supervising, assigning, coordinating, training, and evaluating semi-skilled and skilled trades personnel according to their skill, experience, and job knowledge.
• Recommends training to enhance skill and productivity of employees and assists in development of training processes/procedures.
• Continually monitor foremen's project designations, deck plate presence, understanding of work scope, and efficiency of trades management.
• Manages lifecycle of shop personnel through all phases of employment, to include hiring and retention efforts of shop personnel, as well as developing/delivering coaching and disciplinary actions needed to address performance concerns.
• Responsible for personnel administration needs, to include recommendations/handling of change requests facilitated by EANs (pay, reclassification, etc.).
• Engaged in workforce development by identifying candidates for additional development/mentorship opportunities, support succession planning efforts, and ensuring assigned apprentices have appropriate oversight and developmental resources.
• Breaks broad projects down to practical action plans, ensuring adequate shop manning resources, and develops/executes POD for all shop resources (with the input of Foreman) daily to ensure production goals are executed safely and efficiently.
• Responsible for final approval and presentation of all project deliverables via condition reports and approval/management of all material orders, ensuring contractual requirements and period of performance are met.
• Responsible for complying with all technical aspects of the job including adherence to all drawings, procedures, etc. and manages test and inspection plans for assigned areas (overseeing submittal of required documentation, ensure foreman attend inspections as required, etc.).
• Responsible for manufacturing, installation, operation, testing, and process operations that have a significant financial impact on the company's performance.

Required Qualifications:

• Must have a Bachelors or Registered Apprentice (grad) and at least 2 years relative trades experience (or HS + 6 years trades experience) and 2 years of prior supervisory experience.
• Must have knowledge of design principles, ASME/AWS codes, and safety standards as well as knowledge/ experience with various welding methods, weld procedures, and quality controls.
• Specific experience must include "hands-on" involvement in the layout, fitting, and welding of structural steel, pipe, plate, and sheet metal.
• Must be experienced in supporting QA/QC programs and procedures.
• Must have working knowledge of all standard ship repair/industrial fabrication tools and equipment (i.e., overhead cranes, saw, iron workers, shears, brakes, welding equipment).
• Must have ability to understand job specifications, drawings, and corresponding technical references as well as ability to read/interpret blueprints and schematics.
• Must have well-developed communication skills, both verbal and written, to effectively communicate with employees/leadership/customers and prepare/deliver written reports and correspondence.
• Must have regular, reliable attendance.
• Must be available to work all shifts (1st, 2nd, 3rd) when needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Exposure to or experience supporting multiple trades is highly preferred.
• 4 years of overall supervision experience for the trade to be supervised is highly preferred.

Security Requirements:

• Ability to obtain DBIDS preferred.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

Tiello is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Your Right to Work - In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.