Fabrication Supervisor

“The diversity of the job and great management are what made me stay with this company for so long.” — Neil Warne (Welder), ESCO’s first employee from 1965 — and yes, he’s still working to this day!

Organization Description

ESCO Manufacturing is the 2024 SBA Family Business of the Year and the premier wholesale sign manufacturing company headquartered in the heart of the Midwest in Watertown, South Dakota. Our mission is to be a leader in the sign industry by providing the best value in visual identification and advertising to our customers through excellent work ethics and high standards of business practices.

For more information, visit www.escomanufacturing.com.

About the Job

As the Frames Supervisor, you will lead and support a team responsible for the fabrication and assembly of custom metal sign frames and related components. This position combines production supervision with hands-on manufacturing knowledge, requiring an understanding of welding, metal fabrication, laser cutting, press brakes, and related manufacturing processes.

The ideal candidate is a strong leader who can work alongside employees, troubleshoot production and quality issues, read and interpret drawings, and understand the equipment and processes used to manufacture metal frames.

You will enjoy working in our family-like atmosphere that strives for teamwork, innovation, and personal growth. Each day provides new challenges through custom projects and in-house training opportunities.

Our Core Values of One Team, Integrity, and Engaged are engrained into our culture, and our team members are rewarded for their efforts. We’re living our Vision by creating WOW experiences for our team members, customers, and communities!

Main Responsibilities

Monitor production line operations to ensure products are manufactured according to company quality, safety, productivity, and customer standards.
Supervise and support employees involved in welding, metal fabrication, laser cutting, press brake operations, forming, grinding, and frame assembly.
Provide technical guidance and hands-on support to employees when troubleshooting welding, fabrication, equipment, or production issues.
Utilize knowledge of welding processes, metal types, fabrication techniques, and blueprint/shop drawing interpretation to help ensure accurate and quality production.
Understand and support the operation of laser cutting equipment and press brakes, including proper material setup, forming, measurements, and quality inspection.
Recommend improvements in quality processes, production procedures, equipment, and fabrication methods to improve efficiency, safety, quality, and cost.
Train and develop employees on job duties, equipment operation, safety procedures, quality expectations, and proper fabrication techniques.
Ensure each employee and production area meets assigned daily production targets while maintaining quality and safety standards.
Manage resource allocation, including workstation assignments, employee breaks, cross-training, and shift rotations to achieve production objectives.
Coordinate and manage production shutdowns, startups, changeovers, and workflow transitions.
Maintain appropriate staffing levels by monitoring sick leave, scheduled vacations, unanticipated absences, and production requirements.
Conduct shift meetings to ensure employees understand daily objectives, production priorities, quality expectations, and output requirements.
Follow and enforce Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to promote operational efficiency, consistency, quality, and safety.
Inspect work and assist with identifying and correcting issues involving weld quality, dimensions, fit-up, bends, cuts, fabrication, and final frame assembly.
Work closely with the Production Manager and other departments to address production issues, material concerns, equipment problems, quality issues, and safety concerns.
Conduct performance reviews on time as scheduled and provide ongoing coaching and feedback to employees.
Build and maintain a safe, clean, positive, and team-oriented working environment while promoting Lean Manufacturing techniques and continuous improvement.
Monitor equipment and report maintenance needs or safety concerns involving welders, lasers, press brakes, fabrication equipment, and other production machinery.
Strive to meet all company goals and objectives while supporting ESCO’s Core Values of One Team, Integrity, and Engaged.
Prepare daily production reports that include output, quality, quantity, staffing, and other relevant production information.
Work with Engineering, Production, Purchasing, and other departments as needed to resolve issues and improve manufacturing processes.
Perform hands-on fabrication, welding, troubleshooting, or other production duties when necessary to support the team and maintain production flow.
Perform all other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience Requirements

· Vocational degree, technical training, or other post-secondary education in welding, metal fabrication, manufacturing, or a related field preferred.

· Two or more years of supervisory or leadership experience in a manufacturing environment preferred.

· Two or more years of hands-on experience in manufacturing, metal fabrication, welding, or a related field.

· Strong working knowledge of welding processes and practices, including proper fit-up, weld quality, safety, and inspection.

· Experience with or strong knowledge of metal fabrication processes, including cutting, forming, grinding, drilling, bending, and assembly.

· Experience operating or working with laser cutting equipment and/or press brakes strongly preferred.

· Ability to read and interpret blueprints, shop drawings, measurements, and production specifications.

· Ability to use measuring tools such as tape measures, calipers, squares, and other fabrication inspection equipment.

· Ability to troubleshoot production, quality, and equipment-related issues.

· Strong understanding of workplace safety practices, particularly related to welding, metal fabrication, lasers, press brakes, and manufacturing equipment.

· Strong interpersonal, leadership, coaching, and communication skills.

· Ability to train, motivate, and hold employees accountable while maintaining a positive team environment.

· Ability to prioritize multiple projects and production requirements in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

· Ability to work effectively with Production, Engineering, Purchasing, Quality, and other departments.

Preferred Qualifications

· Welding certification or formal welding training.

· Experience with MIG welding, TIG welding, or other common welding processes.

· Experience with CNC laser cutting equipment.

· Experience with CNC press brakes and forming equipment.

· Experience with structural or sheet-metal fabrication.

· Experience interpreting engineering drawings and fabrication prints.

· Experience with Lean Manufacturing or continuous improvement practices.

· Previous experience supervising welders, fabricators, machine operators, or assembly employees.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal Frames Supervisor is a hands-on manufacturing leader who understands both people and processes. This individual should be comfortable stepping onto the production floor to help solve a welding or fabrication problem, while also providing direction, training, accountability, and support to the team.

A successful candidate will have the technical knowledge to understand how welding, laser cutting, press brakes, and metal fabrication work together to produce a quality finished frame, along with the leadership skills necessary to build a strong, productive, and engaged team.

Benefits:

401(k)
401(k) matching
Dental insurance
Flexible spending account
Health insurance
Life insurance
Paid time off
Referral program
Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

ESCO

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