What are the responsibilities and job description for the Shop Foreman position at NEXT AER?
Job Posting: Shop Foreman
Company Name: NEXT AER
Location: Germantown, WI
Employment Type: Full-time, on-site
Compensation: DOE
Schedule: 1st shift (some OT as needed)
Position Summary
The Shop Foreman leads day-to-day operations on the fabrication floor, ensuring timely delivery of components that meet quality and safety standards. This role involves coordinating people, priorities, and processes, while also supporting any fabrication tasks as needed.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Plan, assign, and adjust daily/weekly work based on due dates
- Lead daily kickoff meetings covering:
- Safety
- Quality alerts
- Job priorities
- Constraints and countermeasures
- Verify prints, revisions, and travelers
- Ensure correct WPS, consumables, and fixtures are used
- Inspect in-process work and coach on:
- Weld quality
- Fit-up accuracy
- Distortion control
- Finishing
- Collaborate with engineering on drawing issues and manufacturability
- Coordinate procurement of materials, hardware, and consumables
- Ensure equipment readiness (cranes, forklifts, welders, brake/shear, saws, tooling)
- Enforce OSHA and company safety standards; conduct incident/near-miss reviews
- Track and report:
- Schedule adherence
- Rework and scrap
- Labor hours vs. standard
- Cross-train team members and facilitate certifications
- Approve timecards, manage staffing levels, and support hiring/performance actions
- Support final QC and pre-shipment reviews
- Resolve issues quickly to protect ship dates
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives
Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent (required)
- Technical diploma in welding/fabrication or related field (preferred)
- Five (5 ) years in metal fabrication/welding
- Two (2 ) years in a lead/foreman/supervisor role
- Proficient in:
- Blueprint reading
- Weld symbols
- GD&T proficiency
- Fabrication sequencing
- Experience with TIG/MIG welding (stainless, carbon steel; aluminum a plus)
- Skilled in operating/overseeing fabrication equipment
- Strong organizational and multitasking abilities
- Clear written and verbal communication skills
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Quality: Visual weld inspection, tolerance verification, basic NDT familiarity
- Safety: LOTO, hazard recognition, PPE enforcement, incident reporting
- Leadership: Sets expectations, enforces standards, develops team, models professionalism
- Administrative: Time/attendance approval, vacation planning, training upkeep
Physical Demands & Work Environment
- Frequent standing, walking, and manual handling
- Sitting, kneeling, crouching; lifting/carrying up to 55 lbs.
- Ability to climb platforms/ladders
- Exposure to welding, cutting, and material-handling operations
- Participation in fabrication tasks as needed
Key Performance Indicators
- On-time delivery/schedule adherence
- First-pass yield and rework/scrap rates
- Safety performance
- Labor efficiency (earned vs. actual hours)
What We Offer
- Competitive pay
- Stable schedule
- Growth and training opportunities
- Hands-on leadership role in building mission-critical industrial equipment
Why Join Us
- Be part of a team that builds mission-critical industrial equipment
- Work on diverse, custom projects that challenge and grow your skills
- Join a company that values craftsmanship, safety, and continuous improvement