We are seeking a self-motivated, results-driven professional to join our dynamic fabrication oversight team. In this role, you will play a critical part in managing fabrication jobs from inception to completion, ensuring full compliance with contract requirements, safety standards, and project deadlines. Your leadership will directly drive operational productivity, quality control, and overall project profitability. There is room for immediate growth as well.
Position Summary
The Assistant Shop Foreman supports the Shop Foreman in managing daily operations on the manufacturing floor. This role acts as a hands-on leader—overseeing fabricators, finishing ,assemblers, and packaging—to ensure custom lighting fixtures are built safely, to exact design specifications, and on schedule.
Key Essential Duties & Functions1. Production Leadership & Workflow Coordination
- Direct Daily Operations: Assist the Shop Foreman in prioritizing, scheduling, and delegating daily fabricating, finishing, and assembly tasks to meet strict shipping deadlines.
- Hands-On Manufacturing Support: Actively step in on the shop floor to assist with complex builds, metal shaping, welding, wiring, or mechanical assembly when bottlenecks occur or specialized skill is required.
- Blueprint & Spec Interpretation: Read and interpret complex technical drawings, architectural shop drawings, and electrical schematics to guide team members on custom one-off or short-run lighting fixtures.
- Process Troubleshooting: Quickly identify and resolve technical, mechanical, or electrical roadblocks during the assembly of custom chandeliers, sconces, pendants, and architectural fixtures.
2. Quality Assurance & Craftsmanship
- Strict Quality Control: Inspect raw components, sub-assemblies, and finished lighting fixtures to ensure they adhere to high-end aesthetic standards, structural integrity, and company quality benchmarks.
- Electrical & Safety Compliance: Ensure all fixtures are wired properly and comply with relevant electrical safety standards (e.g., UL, CE, or local code requirements) prior to final packaging.
- Defect Prevention: Monitor finishing details (such as metal plating, powder coating, patina finishes, and glass/acrylic handling) to prevent scratches, misalignments, or wiring faults.
3. Team Support & Training
- Staff Supervision: Help manage shop personnel, including metal fabricators, assembly technicians, and finishers, in the absence of the Shop Foreman.
- Onboarding & Skill Development: Support the training of new hires on safe tool handling, specialized lighting assembly techniques, and internal workshop protocols.
- Continuous Improvement: Foster a productive, team-oriented culture by providing constructive feedback and encouraging efficient craftsmanship.
4. Safety & Facility Management
- Enforce Safety Protocols: Ensure all floor staff strictly adhere to safety regulations, including the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), machine guards (for saws, grinders, and presses), and safe electrical testing procedures.
- Maintain Cleanliness (5S): Maintain a clean, organized, and hazard-free shop floor, ensuring aisles, assembly stations, and testing areas are clear of debris.
- Equipment Maintenance: Monitor the condition of shop tools and machinery (e.g., welding rigs, hand tools, drill presses, testing benches) and report or coordinate routine maintenance and repairs.
5. Inventory & Administrative Support
- Material Tracking: Monitor stock levels of common hardware, raw metals, lamp holders, sockets, wiring, and packaging materials, reporting shortages to purchasing or the Shop Foreman.
- Cross-Department Communication: Act as a communication bridge between the design/engineering department and the shop floor to clarify custom modification details or design changes.
- Production Reporting: Help track labor hours, project milestones, and material waste to support accurate job costing and productivity reports.
Core Qualifications & Skills for the Job Description
- Experience: 3–5 years of hands-on experience in manufacturing, metal fabrication, or custom product assembly; prior leadership experience (lead hand or assistant supervisor) preferred.
- Technical Knowledge: Strong mechanical aptitude with a solid understanding of basic metal fabrication, finishing, painting, and assembly.
- Reading Blueprints: Proven ability to read and interpret complex blueprints, wiring diagrams, and architectural specifications.
- Physical Requirements: Ability to stand for long periods, maneuver around heavy or awkward custom fixtures, and safely lift up to 50 lbs.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $24.00 - $25.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
Shift:
- 10 hour shift
- 8 hour shift
Experience:
- Manufacturing: 3 years (Required)
Work Location: In person
