Production Supervisor

Position Summary: The Steel Line Welding Supervisor is responsible for overseeing daily manufacturing operations in a heavy welding / fabrication shop environment specializing in pressure vessels, storage tanks, and custom steel products. This position ensures production schedules, quality standards, safety requirements, and ASME code compliance are consistently achieved. The Production Supervisor leads shop personnel, coordinates with engineering and quality departments, and drives continuous improvement initiatives to maximize productivity and operational efficiency. This is a hands-on, shop-floor leadership role accountable for daily execution, employee development, disciplined problem solving, and sustained improvement in safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people performance within the assigned production area.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Supervise and coordinate daily activities of welders, fitters, fabricators, machinists, and production personnel.

• Maintain a strong daily shop-floor presence and conduct Gemba walks to observe work, verify safety and quality practices, identify obstacles, coach employees, and follow through on actions.

• Ensure manufacturing processes comply with ASME Section IX, National Board requirements, and company quality standards.

• Own daily schedule attainment and workflow within the assigned area; compare actual progress with the plan, address bottlenecks, and communicate recovery actions to meet customer delivery commitments.

• Confirm material, drawing, tooling, and inspection readiness; coordinate job and shift handoffs so shortages, constraints, and open issues are visible before they disrupt production.

• Review fabrication drawings, weld procedures (WPS), and work orders to ensure proper execution.

• Coordinate with Engineering, Quality Control, Purchasing, and Maintenance departments to resolve production issues. Promptly escalate constraints beyond supervisory authority with facts, production impact, and recommended actions.

• Coordinate equipment readiness, operator care, and preventive maintenance needs with Maintenance; report recurring downtime and support permanent corrective action.

• Lead daily tiered production meetings using visual performance boards to review safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people; communicate priorities, identify gaps, and assign actions with owners and due dates.

• Follow documented leader standard work, including floor observations, performance reviews, process checks, and action follow-up; participate in layered process audits and close assigned findings.

• Ensure all welding and fabrication activities meet code requirements and customer specifications. Address defects at the point of work and coordinate containment and disposition with Quality.

• Perform workforce planning, scheduling, and labor allocation based on production priorities and demonstrated employee skills and qualifications; monitor actual labor hours against job requirements.

• Train, coach, and develop employees on safety, quality, and productivity standards; maintain a skills matrix and cross-training plan while respecting required welding and process qualifications.

• Set clear expectations for what must be done, how, and by when; recognize strong performance, address gaps promptly, and hold employees accountable consistently and respectfully.

• Monitor schedule attainment, labor efficiency, first-pass quality, rework, scrap, and downtime against established targets; implement recovery actions and review open commitments daily.

• Enforce company policies, safety procedures, and OSHA regulations; proactively address unsafe conditions and behaviors and escalate hazards requiring additional support.

• Lead structured root-cause analysis for production issues and partner with Quality on defect resolution, using direct observation, data, 5 Whys, fishbone analysis, and A3/Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA), as appropriate.

• Track corrective actions through verified effectiveness; distinguish temporary containment from permanent correction, confirm problems do not recur, and update approved standards and training.

• Lead Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement in the assigned area using 5S, visual controls, standardized work, and mistake-proofing to reduce waste, rework, excess work-in-process, and delays.

• Develop, implement, and audit approved standard work with Engineering and Quality; ensure improvements preserve code, process, and customer requirements.

• Engage employees in practical improvement activities; establish a baseline, measurable target, owner, and due date, and verify that results are sustained.

• Assist with estimating labor requirements and planning shop capacity. Control overtime within approved plans and reduce avoidable labor and consumable costs.

• Maintain accurate production records, labor reporting, job status, and downtime documentation in company systems; report completed work only when required production and quality steps are complete.

QualificationsEducation

• High School Diploma or GED required.

• Associate degree in Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, Welding Technology, or related field preferred.

Experience

• 5+ years of experience in heavy steel welding, pressure vessel manufacturing, or tank fabrication.

• Minimum 3 years of supervisory experience in a manufacturing environment.

• Strong understanding of ASME Section VIII pressure vessel code requirements.

• Experience managing welding operations and fabrication processes.

• Demonstrated hands-on experience leading daily management and employee-driven improvements, with examples of measurable gains in safety, quality, schedule attainment, or labor efficiency.

Technical Skills

• Knowledge of ASME, API, and National Board standards.

• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and specifications.

• Familiarity with welding procedures, fit-up requirements, and structural fabrication.

• Understanding of quality control processes, inspections, and documentation.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ERP/MRP systems.

• Practical application of Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methods, including 5S, visual management, standard work, and structured root-cause problem solving.

Leadership Competencies

• Strong leadership and team-building skills.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.

• Ability to prioritize multiple projects in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

• Fact-based problem-solving and decision-making skills, with the ability to coach employees to identify root causes, test improvements, and sustain results.

• Strong organizational and planning capabilities.

• Commitment to safety, quality, and customer satisfaction.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in a manufacturing and fabrication environment.

• Frequent standing, walking, climbing, and bending.

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally.

• Exposure to welding, grinding, lifting equipment, and outdoor conditions as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) certification.

• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar continuous improvement methodologies.

• Experience with pressure vessel fabrication, tank manufacturing, and ASME quality programs.

• Experience overseeing multiple production lines and large fabrication projects.