Manufacturing Supervisor - Second Shift

POSITION SUMMARY

The Manufacturing Supervisor (Second Shift) is the day-to-day leader of the fabrication floor, responsible for welding, assembly, and parts operations that turn raw steel and aluminum into structural assemblies for LaX Industries' energy and commercial customers. This role leads through the Welding Team Leads, Assembly, and Parts Team Lead, setting the standard for accountability, teamwork, and safety on the shop floor. The Manufacturing Supervisor plans and sequences daily work, removes roadblocks for the team, and is directly accountable for on-time, in-spec production and for building a shop culture where every team member owns the quality and safety of their own work.

[LaX's second shift runs Monday through Thursday overnights with the shift starting at 16:30 (4:30 p.m.) and ends at 05:00 for 12 hours.]

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Primary Area of Responsibility

· Lead and coordinate daily fabrication shop production, planning work in advance and setting priorities for welding, assembly, and parts teams.

· Read and interpret structural steel shop drawings, blueprints, and welding symbols; assign work based on employee skill level, certifications, and project priorities.

· Track fabrication progress against schedule and communicate status, risks, and roadblocks to the Plant Manager.

People Leadership & Accountability

· Directly lead and hold accountable the Welding Team Leads, Assembly, and Parts Team Lead; set clear expectations for quality, productivity, and teamwork, and follow through consistently.

· Train, mentor, and develop welders, fabricators, and assemblers; verify welder qualifications and certifications; build a pipeline of shop leadership through the Team Lead roles.

· Foster a culture of teamwork, accountability, and mutual respect across welding, assembly, and parts; model the standard of ownership expected of every shop employee.

Safety & Quality

· Ensure a safe shop operation by implementing and enforcing safety protocols across welding, cutting, rigging, and material handling; hold Stop Work Authority for unsafe conditions.

· Serve as the first level of quality control: inspect welded joints, fit-up, and finished assemblies against blueprints, weld procedure specifications (WPS), and customer requirements before hand-off.

· Hold and enforce authority to stop or hold any job that does not meet safety or quality requirements until corrected.

Workflow, Systems & Communication

· Plan and sequence job travelers and work orders across welding, assembly, and parts; coordinate hand-offs to Paint, Shipping/Receiving, and Detailing & Programming; escalate schedule or resource conflicts to the Plant Manager.

· Use job traveler / production scheduling systems, and operate or direct the use of welding equipment, plasma/laser cutting, press brakes, and overhead cranes/forklifts as needed.

· Create and maintain standard work instructions for departmental processes, ensuring they remain accurate and current

· Train team members on standard work instructions.

Continuous Improvement & Teamwork

· Troubleshoot fabrication and welding issues and drive root-cause corrective action; partner with Quality, Purchasing, and Detailing on process improvements, consumable/material needs, and standard work.

DECISION AUTHORITY

· Daily work assignment and sequencing across welding, assembly, and parts; holding a job for safety or quality issues; sign-off on welder/fabricator competency and on-the-job training.

· Collaborates on capital equipment purchases and provides departmental input on equipment needs, specifications, and operational requirements

· Has full authority over department labor allocations, scheduling, overtime, and escalate safety or quality decisions.

· Has authority to make departmental purchasing decisions and initiate corrective actions within established company guidelines and approval thresholds; matters requiring plant manager approval are escalated accordingly.

QUALIFICATIONS & CAPABILITIES

· High school diploma or equivalent; 5 years of structural steel fabrication and welding experience, including 2-3 years in a lead, foreman, or supervisory role.

· Strong knowledge of fabrication techniques (MIG/TIG/stick welding, plasma cutting, layout and fit-up) and structural steel codes/standards (e.g., AWS, AISC); ability to read blueprints, shop drawings, and welding symbols.

· Proven, hands-on leadership: dependable, accountable, and safety-minded, with the ability to plan work, hold a team to a standard, and build teamwork across welding, assembly, and parts; excellent communication with shop and office personnel.

· OSHA 10/30 safety certification preferred; AWS welding certification(s) a plus.

· Preferred: AWS CWI or similar welding inspection credential; experience fabricating EV charging infrastructure, structural steel, or heavy industrial assemblies; bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus.

PHYSICAL & WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed primarily on the production floor of a metal fabrication workshop involving welding, grinding, plasma cutting, robotic welding, and laser tube cutting/welding, as well as in warehouse, loading dock, and outdoor yard environments. The role includes exposure to weather, industrial noise, welding fumes, sparks, and material handling equipment. Required PPE includes steel-toe boots, high-visibility clothing, gloves, safety glasses, and hearing protection (plus welding helmets or face shields as applicable). The position requires frequent standing and walking, with occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds consistent with handling of metal parts, components, and packaging materials.

Position will include operation of industrial trucks, including but not limited to forklifts, telehandlers and front-end loaders.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

· Safety: zero lost-time incidents; consistent PPE use and Stop Work Authority exercised when needed.

· On-time schedule attainment across welding, assembly, and parts; first-pass quality/weld acceptance rate; visible teamwork and accountability across shifts; development and certification progress of welders and Team Leads; shop 5S/housekeeping standards; responsiveness in escalating and resolving production roadblocks.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Hourly wage begins at $25/hr., commensurate with experience and skills. LaX Industries offers a competitive benefits package that include medical, dental, and vision coverage; Health Savings Account (HSA) when eligible, 401(k) with company match; paid time off and applicable Minnesota leave programs

Pay: $25.00 - $30.00 per hour

Expected hours: No less than 50.0 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Prescription drug insurance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $25 - $30