Description
Fabrication Manager – Wood & Metal Production
Location: Bartlett, IL (Onsite, Monday–Friday)
Department: Fabrication (Wood & Metal)
Reports To: Director of Operations
Company Size: $100M annual revenue / ~90 fabrication employees
Position Overview
We are seeking a hands-on, experienced Fabrication Manager to lead our wood and metal production departments within a high-mix, fast-paced POP display manufacturing environment. This role oversees approximately 50 wood fabrication employees and 50 metal fabrication employees, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality production across CNC machining, edge banding, cold press lamination, pocket screw machining, post lamination in wood fabrication. cutting, forming, punching, notching, grinding drill, welding (spot/tig/mig) and powder coating.
The ideal candidate has deep experience managing both wood and metal fabrication operations, strong leadership skills, and a proven ability to drive productivity, throughput, and schedule adherence in a short-lead-time manufacturing environment.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Management
Lead, train, and mentor supervisors, leads, and team members across both wood and metal fabrication teams.
Maintain a positive, accountable, performance-driven culture.
Manage daily staffing, labor planning, and shift assignments to meet production schedules.
Conduct performance evaluations and support development plans for department supervisors.
Production Operations
Oversee daily production workflow to meet output, quality, and on-time delivery goals.
Manage operations across:
Wood Fabrication
Metal Fabrication
Wood Paint
Metal Paint
Optimize machine utilization, changeovers, and job sequencing for maximum efficiency.
Collaborate with scheduling, engineering, and project management to ensure production readiness.
Continuous Improvement
Identify and implement process improvements to reduce waste, increase throughput, and improve cost efficiency.
Lead 5S, lean manufacturing initiatives, and workflow optimization.
Support upgrades to machinery or processes, including future equipment automation.
Quality & Safety
Ensure all products meet internal and customer quality standards.
Work with QC to address deviations, implement corrective actions, and prevent recurring issues.
Promote and enforce safety policies; drive continuous improvement in safety performance.
Communication & Cross-Functional Collaboration
Participate in daily production meetings and communicate schedule updates to leadership.
Work closely with engineering, maintenance, scheduling, purchasing, and project managers.
Report KPIs such as throughput, scrap, labor efficiency, and machine utilization.
Qualifications
Required
7+ years of experience in fabrication management or production management within manufacturing.
Strong background in both wood fabrication, metal fabrication.
Experience overseeing CNC machining and manual/semiautomated fabrication processes.
Proven leadership managing teams of 90+ employees.
Solid understanding of lean manufacturing, productivity improvement, and workflow optimization.
Strong mechanical aptitude and problem-solving skills.
Excellent communication and organizational skills.
Preferred
Experience in POP displays, store fixtures, custom millwork, or custom fabrication.
Experience integrating or upgrading fabrication equipment.
Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems (EPICOR).
Bilingual English/Spanish a plus (not required).
Working Conditions
Onsite role, Monday–Friday in our Bartlett, IL facility.
Fast-paced, high-mix manufacturing environment.
Majority of time spent on the production floor with active engagement with teams.
Why Join Us
Be a key leader within a growing $100M manufacturing company.
Lead a large, talented fabrication team with significant influence on operations.
Opportunity to modernize processes, improve efficiency, and drive real change.
Stable, long-term career opportunity with growth potential.