Plant Manager

Plant Manager – Fabrication Shop

Location: Houston, TX
Company: Confidential – Pre-Engineered Metal Building Manufacturer

About the Opportunity

A fast-growing pre-engineered metal building (PEMB) manufacturer is conducting a confidential search for a highly skilled Plant Manager to lead operations at its Houston fabrication facility. The role will be filled in the next 4-6 months per transition plan.

The company is financially stable, strategically positioned for expansion, and dedicated to operational excellence in the PEMB industry. This role is central to ensuring production efficiency, quality, and safety while scaling operations to meet growing customer demand.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader with deep knowledge of PEMB fabrication, who can balance technical expertise in welding, fitting, and CNC programming with strong leadership skills to guide and develop a diverse workforce.

Position Summary

The Plant Manager will oversee the full scope of shop operations, including steel processing, fabrication, welding, paint, and shipping within a PEMB manufacturing environment. This leader will be responsible for production throughput, workforce supervision, quality assurance, and workplace safety, while fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and teamwork.

Candidates must demonstrate expertise in reading and interpreting structural drawings, CNC plasma programming/nesting, and fit-up/welding techniques, along with the ability to mentor crews in layout, coping, drilling, and connections for PEMB frames.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct and manage daily plant operations including fabrication, fitting, welding, cutting, painting, and finishing of PEMB structural components.
• Read and interpret shop drawings, fabrication details, and erection plans to ensure accuracy and alignment with customer specifications.
• Supervise, train, and mentor shop personnel, promoting a culture of safety, accountability, KPI’s and professional development.
• Develop, implement, and monitor production schedules to meet customer commitments on time and within budget.
• Operate, program, and train others on CNC plasma cutting equipment, including nesting for precision part fabrication.
• Oversee and optimize submerged arc welding (SAW) gantry operations for large PEMB assemblies.
• Provide hands-on training for fitters and welders in layout, connections, coping, and drilling of PEMB frames.
• Establish and enforce rigorous quality control processes to ensure compliance with AWS D1.1 standards, PEMB tolerances, and customer requirements.
• Partner with engineering, project management, and logistics teams to ensure smooth coordination from detailing through shipment.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on throughput (MH/ton, MH/LF), labor efficiency, and material flow.
• Track, analyze, and report on production metrics, efficiency, and schedule adherence to senior leadership.
• Ensure OSHA compliance, enforce safety policies, and maintain a clean, organized, and hazard-free work environment.

Required Skills & Competencies

• Metal Building Software (MBS): Proficiency in interpreting cut lists, part details, and bolt lists.
• Tekla Structures / Tekla EPM (PowerFab): Skilled in importing drawings, generating CNC files (DSTV, DXF, STEP), and managing jobs through production workflows.
• CNC Programming & File Management: Expertise in DXF and STEP file programming for plasma/saw nesting, with the ability to troubleshoot and optimize cut files.
• Fabrication & Welding: Strong background in PEMB frame fit-up and welding techniques.
• Operations Management: Experience in throughput planning (MH/ton, MH/LF), production scheduling, Lean manufacturing, and process improvement.
• Leadership: Demonstrated ability to build, motivate, and develop teams in a high-output fabrication environment.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred for effective workforce communication.
• Safety & Compliance: In-depth understanding of OSHA standards and proven ability to enforce a safety-first culture.
• Quality Systems: Experience in an IAS-certified shop or similar quality-driven environment.
• Lean manufacturing is a plus but not a requirement.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in steel fabrication; PEMB or structural steel fabrication background strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to read, interpret, and apply fabrication/engineering drawings.
• Hands-on experience with fitting and welding processes (MIG/Stick/Flux-core).
• Proficiency in CNC plasma programming, nesting, and machine operations.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Proven commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: $120,000 – $150,000 annually, depending on experience.
• Short Term Incentive Plan (STIP): 25% of base salary, paid quarterly, tied to EBITDA performance targets.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid time off and holidays.
• Long-term career growth potential with a scaling company.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $120,000.00 - $150,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Language:

• English (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Houston, TX 77064 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Houston, TX 77064: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $120,000 - $150,000