Fabrication Workshop Manager

Salary : -35-45K depending on experience

Location : Halstead (due to rural location own transport is required)

Job Overview

To lead and manage the fabrication workshop within a heavy engineering / manufacturing environment, ensuring the safe, efficient, and high-quality production of structural components, and fabricated parts large and small. The role is responsible for achieving build schedules, maintaining quality standards, improving workshop performance, and supporting continuous operational growth.

Key Responsibilities

Production & Workshop Management

• Manage daily fabrication operations
• Coordinate welding, fabrication, assembly, and sub-assembly activities to meet production schedules.
• Monitor production flow to achieve build targets and delivery deadlines.
• Allocate labour and resources effectively across multiple fabrication areas.
• Support increased production capacity and workflow optimisation.

Team Leadership

• Supervise and develop fabricators, welders, and workshop operatives.
• Conduct production meetings and toolbox talks.
• Manage employee performance, attendance, training, and disciplinary matters.
• Develop multi-skilled teams to improve workshop flexibility and productivity.
• Mentor apprentices and junior staff.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with HSE legislation and company safety procedures.
• Maintain safe welding, lifting, and fabrication practices.
• Ensure correct use of PPE, cranes, lifting equipment, and workshop machinery.
• Carry out risk assessments and accident investigations where required.
• Promote strong housekeeping and standards throughout the workshop.

Quality & Technical Standards

• Ensure all fabrication work meets engineering drawings, tolerances, and quality requirements.
• Conduct in-process inspections and final quality checks.
• Work closely with engineering and quality departments to resolve fabrication issues.
• Drive right-first-time manufacturing and reduce rework levels.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify and implement improvements to workshop layout, productivity, and workflow.
• Reduce downtime, waste, and manufacturing bottlenecks.
• Support lean manufacturing and process improvement initiatives.
• Monitor KPIs including build completion, labour efficiency, and quality performance.

Equipment & Maintenance

• Ensure fabrication equipment, welding sets, jigs, and machinery are maintained and operational.
• Coordinate preventative maintenance schedules.
• Manage tooling, consumables, and fabrication stock requirements.

Planning & Communication

• Liaise with design engineering, planning, procurement, stores, paint, and final assembly teams.
• Provide progress updates on transporter builds and fabrication schedules.
• Support production planning and capacity forecasting.

Skills & Experience

Essential

Strong fabrication and welding background within heavy engineering

Previous workshop management or supervisory experience.

Ability to read and interpret detailed engineering drawings.

Knowledge of MIG welding, structural fabrication.

Experience managing production schedules and workshop KPIs.

Strong leadership and people management skills.

Good understanding of health & safety in a manufacturing environment.

Desirable

Experience within car transporter, trailer, or commercial vehicle manufacturing.

Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement experience.

Welding or fabrication qualifications.

Key Competencies

Leadership & accountability

Production planning

Problem solving

Communication & coordination

Quality focus

Safety leadership

Continuous improvement mindset

Time and resource management

Working Environment

Heavy engineering and fabrication workshop environment.

Exposure to welding operations, machinery, noise, and lifting equipment.

PPE required at all times.

Flexibility required to support production deadlines and operational demands.