What are the responsibilities and job description for the Welding/Fabrication Supervisor position at Winkle Industries?
About Us: Winkle Industries is a premier provider of engineered material handling solutions — from crane components and lifting devices to transfer equipment and electrical control systems — serving industries built to last. We're a true single-source supplier focused on quality, performance, and value, partnering with customers from concept through decommissioning to reduce liability, minimize downtime, and maximize productivity.
Our greatest resource is our people. We combine deep manufacturing knowledge with a commitment to long-term partnerships, continuous improvement, and cost-effective solutions — helping our customers keep operations running safely and efficiently.
Our greatest resource is our people. We combine deep manufacturing knowledge with a commitment to long-term partnerships, continuous improvement, and cost-effective solutions — helping our customers keep operations running safely and efficiently.
Job Description: As the Welding/Fabrication Supervisor, you will oversee all aspects of fabrication and welding operations within our manufacturing facility — leading the Welders, Fabricators, Lifting Devices, Finals, and Sandblast teams, coordinating production schedules, and driving continuous improvement to optimize efficiency, quality, and on-time delivery. This role requires hands-on leadership that builds credibility and results through organization, mentorship, and clear communication.
Responsibilities:
Leadership and Team Management:
Leadership and Team Management:
- Reports to Plant Manager
- Lead, motivate, and mentor the Welders, Fabricators, Lifting Devices, Finals, and Sandblast teams; set clear performance objectives, conduct performance reviews, verify timecard accuracy, and provide ongoing feedback and training.
- Foster a collaborative, positive, team-oriented work environment that promotes individual growth.
- Coach employees on work methods, discipline, and safety; ensure company policies and safety procedures are consistently followed, with active involvement in safety action planning and prompt resolution of safety concerns.
- Coordinate with other departments to align on production timelines, progress, and any changes in processing methods.
- Collaborate with procurement and supply chain to ensure materials are available for production, and revise schedules as needed based on priorities, capacity, and resource availability.
Operational Management:
- Plan, organize, and prioritize daily operations — including fixtures, tooling, and staging areas — to meet production schedules and targets.
- Development and documentation of work instructions for all operations performed within the department.
- Create a maintenance schedule for all machinery within the department and ensure the schedule is being kept.
- Review Job Information Book (JIB) to ensure completion. If incomplete, consult the Plant Manager.
- Responsible for ensuring dimensional inspections and the physical testing of incoming and outgoing equipment takes place, directly or indirectly and Record information in JIB.
- Coordinate with production, quality assurance, and maintenance to ensure smooth workflow and timely task completion.
- Accurately Identify repair components for reuse, rework or replace and record in JIB. Create requisition for any replacement components.
- Accurately Estimate production man hours to manufacture/re-manufacture equipment and/or components and record in JIB.
- Ensuring operations are completed within estimated time frames. Review efficiency reports to analyze overall performance and create methods for improvements.
- Review all information in JIB to ensure accuracy and completeness prior to submitting to customer service/engineering.
Quality Assurance:
- Establish and enforce fabrication and welding standards, procedures, and best practices — monitoring quality within the department — to ensure consistent quality, reliability, and compliance with industry standards and customer specifications.
- Conduct regular inspections of welded and fabricated components, assemblies, and finished products to identify defects, deviations, or non-conformities, and implement corrective actions to address root causes and prevent recurrence.
- Work closely with quality assurance, engineering, and design teams to resolve fabrication and welding-related issues, implement process improvements, and optimize fabrication and welding quality and integrity.
Continuous Improvement:
- Drive continuous improvement and lean manufacturing initiatives to enhance fabrication and welding processes, reduce waste, and increase productivity and efficiency.
- Regularly analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) and implement strategies to address areas of underperformance
- Training and Development:
- Identify training needs and provide ongoing development opportunities to build technical skills, empower team members, and support career growth.
Requirements:
- Demonstrated hands-on leadership, supervisory, and team-building skills, with excellent communication and interpersonal abilities to inspire, motivate, and collaborate across cross-functional teams and maintain positive relationships with internal and external customers.
- Proven experience in a managerial role within a manufacturing industry, with specific experience in fabrication and welding preferred.
- In-depth knowledge of fabrication and welding processes, techniques, equipment, materials, and quality standards, with hands-on experience in fabrication assembly and various welding methods (e.g., MIG, TIG, ARC).
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to analyze data, identify trends, and implement solutions to optimize welding processes and improve productivity.
- Proficiency in welding software, ERP systems, and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement in all aspects of fabrication and welding operations.
- Ability to read blueprints and use hand measurement tools, including micrometers, bore gages, rules, tapes, hardness testers, and calipers.
- Operates forklift and overhead crane; basic shop math skills.
Benefits:
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
- Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.
- A supportive and collaborative work environment where your contributions are valued.
Join us in making a difference and shaping the future of Winkle Industries!
This job description outlines the primary responsibilities, qualifications, and skills required for the Fabrication Supervisor position and may be modified or expanded as needed to align with the specific requirements of the employer or industry.
Winkle Industries is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from individuals of all backgrounds.
Salary : $62,000 - $68,000