What are the responsibilities and job description for the Shop Manager position at Aardvark Studios?
Are you ready to join an innovative team that pushes the boundaries of creativity and delivers top-notch results? At Aardvark Studios, we thrive in a multitude of creative landscapes. Simply calling us a “Creative Fabrication Company” or an “Experiential Marketing Company” doesn't capture the full scope of what we do. We are a dynamic design, build, and technology studio serving the experiential marketing and location-based entertainment industries and constantly evolving with each and every unique project.
We are looking for a Shop Manager to join the team! As a Shop Manager with Aardvark Studios, you’ll lead the charge with hands-on leadership, driving quality, safety, and efficiency across our fabrication operations. You’ll oversee the day-to-day workflow, support and develop our skilled makers, and ensure that every build leaving the shop meets the highest standards — on time and on budget. This is a hands-on leadership role reporting to the Chief Operating Officer. The Shop Manager will work closely with project management, design engineering, and quality control to ensure builds are executed safely, efficiently, and to Aardvark’s high standards.
QUALIFICATIONS
What makes you the ideal candidate:
- 5 years of proven experience as a Shop Foreman, Production Lead, or similar fabrication leadership role
- Demonstrated success managing teams in a fast-paced, custom fabrication or production environment
- Strong understanding of woodworking, metal fabrication, CNC operations, and specialty fabrication techniques
- Preferred software familiarity and digital geometry manipulation(Smartsheet, Google Suite, Rhino,)
- Knowledge of Lean/5S principles and process standardization
- Forklift/MEWP certification and training experience
Requirements or what else is helpful:
- Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to motivate and mentor a diverse team
- Proven track record of delivering projects on time, within budget, and at the highest quality
- Physical stamina and the ability to lift heavy materials safely
- Strong organizational skills with a focus on cleanliness, workflow, and continuous improvement
- Hire, manage, and develop fabrication team members across wood, CNC, metal, and specialty disciplines
- Lead daily shop huddles and ensure clear team alignment and communication
- Implement lean initiatives and continuous improvement practices
- Manage all aspects of shop safety and compliance
- Maintain shop cleanliness, organization, and readiness for daily operations
- Oversee equipment repair, maintenance, and usage
- Ensure production quality standards are met while minimizing rework
- Collaborate closely with Design Engineering, Project Management, and Production teams to meet deadlines and budget goals
- Set the shop up at the end of each day to ensure smooth operations the following morning
- Oversight of training and skill development, which supports your lean initiatives and safety goals
How we’ll measure success:
- Projects consistently delivered on time and within budget
- Labor utilization consistently met above 90%
- Zero safety incidents in the shop with proactive hazard reporting
- Labor hours under budget for projects
- High team morale, strong communication, and low rework rates
What we offer:
- Highly competitive base salary commensurate with experience
- Paid time off
- Medical/dental/vision benefits
- Short & long-term disability options
- Retirement matching after 1 year
- On-site private-use gym
- Free Tesla charging
- Dog-friendly workspace
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