Location: Hempstead, TX

Compensation: $85,000–$110,000 annually

Our client is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead daily production within a metal fabrication environment supporting natural gas skid plates and related assemblies. This leader will manage a small, hands-on shop team while owning performance across safety, quality, labor efficiency, and profitability. The ideal candidate understands fabrication workflows, AWS standards, and how to use KPIs to drive results on the shop floor.

• Lead and coordinate day-to-day shop operations to ensure projects are completed safely, on time, and within budget
• Schedule and balance workloads across fabrication, welding, machining, blasting, and coating functions
• Oversee preventive maintenance programs to reduce equipment downtime
• Direct, coach, and develop supervisors and shop personnel
• Maintain strong safety practices and enforce company policies consistently
• Ensure all work complies with engineering drawings, customer specifications, and industry standards (AWS, ISO, AISC)
• Address quality issues proactively and implement corrective actions when required
• Partner with estimating and sales teams to support accurate job costing and production feasibility
• Manage operating expenses, labor costs, and overhead to protect margins
• Coordinate material purchasing and vendor relationships to avoid production delays
• Manage subcontractors when outside processing or services are required
• Implement continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, PDCA, or similar methodologies
• Identify workflow bottlenecks and improve throughput, layout, and labor utilization
• Support employee training, engagement, and retention efforts

• On-time delivery performance
• Labor efficiency (actual vs. planned hours)
• Job profitability and margin accuracy
• Scrap and rework rates
• Safety compliance and incident reduction
• Team performance, retention, and development

• 5+ years of experience leading operations or production in a metal fabrication or manufacturing shop
• Strong working knowledge of welding, machining, cutting, blasting, and coating processes
• Experience supporting AWS-compliant fabrication (natural gas or skid-based assemblies strongly preferred)
• Comfortable managing KPIs, labor utilization, and cost controls
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, weld symbols, and technical documentation
• Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems and production tracking tools
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to manage and motivate a small team