Weld & Fabrication Supervisor

Job Purpose

We are looking for an experienced and hands-on Weld & Fabrication Supervisor to lead our welding and fabrication team within a busy manufacturing centre. The successful candidate will be responsible for the day-to-day supervision of welding and fabrication operations, ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently, and to the required quality standards. You will lead and develop a skilled production team while maintaining a strong focus on productivity, quality, delivery, and continuous improvement. This is a hands-on leadership role, requiring a strong understanding of welding and fabrication processes alongside proven supervisory and people-management skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Supervise and coordinate the day-to-day activities of the welding and fabrication team.
• Allocate work and resources to ensure production schedules and customer requirements are met.
• Monitor production output, quality, efficiency, and delivery performance.
• Ensure all welding and fabrication work is completed to engineering drawings, specifications, and required standards.
• Carry out and support quality inspections, ensuring defects and non-conformances are identified and addressed promptly.
• Ensure safe working practices are followed at all times, including appropriate use of PPE, welding equipment, machinery, and lifting equipment.
• Lead toolbox talks, daily briefings, and production meetings where required.
• Support the training, development, and performance management of team members.
• Identify skills gaps and work with management to develop appropriate training plans.
• Monitor the condition and availability of welding, fabrication, and associated production equipment.
• Liaise with Production, Engineering, Quality, Stores, and other departments to resolve issues and maintain workflow.
• Investigate production issues, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions.
• Maintain accurate production records and report key performance information to management.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, identifying opportunities to improve productivity, quality, safety, and working practices.
• Ensure housekeeping and 5S standards are maintained throughout the welding and fabrication areas.
• Support the introduction of new products, processes, equipment, and manufacturing methods.
• Ensure compliance with company procedures, health and safety requirements, and relevant welding/fabrication standards.

Skills & Experience

Essential:

• Proven experience within a welding and fabrication environment.
• Previous experience supervising or leading a manufacturing/production team.
• Strong understanding of welding and fabrication techniques and processes.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and welding symbols.
• Good understanding of quality control and inspection requirements.
• Strong awareness of health and safety within a manufacturing environment.
• Good organisational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritise workloads and manage production deadlines.
• Confident communicator with the ability to motivate and lead a team.
• Practical, hands-on approach to manufacturing and problem solving.

Desirable:

• Recognised welding/fabrication qualification or relevant technical qualification.
• Experience with MIG/MAG, TIG, MMA, or other relevant welding processes.
• Experience working with structural steel, stainless steel, aluminium, or other materials relevant to the business.
• Knowledge of welding procedures, WPS/PQR requirements, and relevant industry standards.
• Experience with lean manufacturing, 5S, Kaizen, or continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience using production planning or ERP/MRP systems.
• IOSH, NEBOSH, or other relevant health and safety qualification.

Key Attributes

We are looking for someone who is:

• A confident and fair team leader.
• Organised and able to manage competing priorities.
• Quality-focused with strong attention to detail.
• Practical and solutions-oriented.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Able to communicate effectively with both shop-floor employees and management.
• Proactive in identifying and resolving problems.
• Committed to maintaining high standards of safety, quality, and workmanship.