Production Manager - Welding & Fabrication

Hammerton is a leading American designer/manufacturer of custom decorative lighting for the hospitality, commercial and residential markets. We are known as a major design innovator in our industry, and we’re rapidly growing. Our in-house blown and kiln-fired glass capabilities, combined with our expertise in metal fabrication and machining, make us uniquely capable of addressing the needs of the design industry’s most discerning clients. Hammerton lighting can be found in leading five-star hotels and resorts, award-winning restaurants and many of the most beautiful homes in North America.

The Production Manager – Welding & Fabrication is responsible for leading the team of skilled fabricators and artisans responsible for welding, grinding, and polishing custom lighting products.

This is first and foremost a leadership and operations role. While knowledge of welding and fabrication is preferred, success in this position will depend more heavily on the ability to lead people, set clear expectations, hold employees accountable, plan and execute production, and drive sustainable process improvements.

The Production Manager will balance daily production requirements with longer-term department goals related to safety, quality, productivity, employee development, capacity, and continuous improvement. This position works closely with Scheduling, Quality, Engineering, and other production departments to support efficient plant flow and on-time delivery.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead, coach, develop, and hold a team of skilled fabricators accountable for safety, quality, productivity, attendance, and teamwork.
• Build and execute daily and weekly production plans that support production schedules and on-time delivery to downstream departments.
• Establish clear performance expectations and address performance or accountability concerns directly, consistently, and respectfully.
• Coordinate closely with Scheduling, Quality, Engineering, and other production teams to resolve issues and maintain efficient workflow.
• Monitor department workload, capacity, staffing, priorities, and production performance.
• Identify and reduce defects, rework, and scrap through root-cause problem solving and continuous improvement.
• Improve productivity through better processes, methods, tooling, fixtures, layouts, training, and workflow.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized department through strong 5S practices and adherence to company safety standards.
• Balance immediate production requirements with longer-term department capacity, training, and improvement priorities.
• Develop employee skills through coaching, cross-training, and ongoing performance feedback.
• Build a department culture focused on ownership, accountability, teamwork, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Use production data and direct observation to identify problems, evaluate performance, and implement sustainable solutions.
• Support the development and implementation of standard work, manufacturing processes, and department procedures.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

Candidates may qualify through a variety of education and experience backgrounds, including:

• Hands-on experience in welding, fabrication, metalworking, or a related manufacturing environment with demonstrated leadership potential; or
• Formal education in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing Technology, or a related field with an interest in manufacturing leadership; or
• A combination of relevant technical education, hands-on manufacturing experience, and demonstrated leadership ability.
• Previous experience as a lead, supervisor, production manager, or similar manufacturing leadership role is preferred but not required for an exceptional candidate.
• Experience working in a custom, low-volume/high-mix, or complex manufacturing environment is preferred.
• Welding and fabrication experience is preferred.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrated ability or potential to effectively lead, coach, develop, and hold employees accountable.
• Strong organizational, planning, and prioritization skills.
• Ability to understand production details while maintaining focus on overall department performance and plant flow.
• Ability to establish clear expectations and address difficult performance or employee situations professionally and respectfully.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify root causes and implement sustainable solutions.
• Ability to use data, production metrics, and direct observation to make sound decisions.
• Ability to learn technical manufacturing processes quickly and effectively.
• Ability to earn credibility with skilled tradespeople through consistency, humility, competence, and follow-through.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively across departments.
• Ability to recognize and utilize the knowledge and experience of frontline employees.
• Working knowledge of continuous improvement principles, 5S, lean manufacturing, or similar manufacturing practices is preferred.
• Strong judgment, maturity, initiative, and personal accountability.
• Desire to grow into increasing levels of responsibility within manufacturing, engineering, or operations leadership.

Fabrication or welding experience is helpful; however, the ability to lead people, improve systems, manage production, and deliver sustainable results is essential.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• This position works primarily in a Fabrication shop which includes high level of noise, welding flashes, grinding dust, and oils and lubricants.
• This position requires the employees to have the ability to consistently lift to 25 lbs.
• Regular use of PPE and adherence to all safety protocols.