Find & Apply For Production Supervisor Jobs in Ferndale, Michigan

Company Overview At Activate, we are renowned for crafting extraordinary experiences that make a lasting impact for some of the world's most influential brands. Our expertise spans the production of kits, mobile tours, and standout live events, enhancing brand visibility and strengthening customer loyalty. As a WBENC-certified company, we take pride in fostering an inclusive work environment that emphasizes growth, offers competitive benefits, and champions collaboration. Position Summary The Fabrication Manager leads Activate's fabrication function, overseeing the planning, development, and construction of custom physical environments and assets for experiential programs. This role translates creative concepts into practical, high-quality build solutions while managing shop workflow, people, resources, budgets, and timelines. Working closely with Production and Operations leadership, the Fabrication Manager provides technical expertise throughout the project lifecycle—from early concepting and estimating through prototyping, fabrication, installation, and strike. This role requires a strong fabrication background, creative problem-solving ability, and the leadership experience to develop a high-performing fabrication team. Key Responsibilities Fabrication Strategy & Technical Direction Review creative concepts, renderings, drawings, and project requirements to determine appropriate fabrication methods, materials, structural approaches, and build strategies. Translate creative ideas into practical fabrication solutions that balance design intent, quality, durability, budget, timeline, transportation, and installation requirements. Provide technical direction on complex or unconventional builds and develop solutions when established fabrication methods do not exist. Guide prototyping, testing, and design-to-build development to identify challenges before full production begins. Review and approve fabrication drawings, shop drawings, cut lists, material specifications, and build plans. Recommend alternative materials, methods, or approaches that improve quality, efficiency, durability, or cost effectiveness. Pre-Production & Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner with Production leadership during pre-production to understand program objectives, creative intent, budgets, timelines, and client expectations. Collaborate with the Operations Manager to ensure fabricated assets are designed and prepared for successful transportation, installation, operation, strike, and storage. Participate in project planning early enough to identify fabrication requirements, risks, lead times, labor needs, and feasibility concerns. Develop fabrication estimates, including labor hours, materials, equipment, specialty services, and outside vendor requirements. Provide fabrication expertise during internal creative and production discussions, helping teams understand what is possible and how concepts can best be brought to life. Shop & Production Management Manage the day-to-day operation of Activate's fabrication shop, including project scheduling, workflow, staffing, prioritization, and resource allocation. Maintain visibility across current and upcoming fabrication projects to anticipate capacity constraints, material needs, and competing deadlines. Establish and continuously improve shop processes that increase efficiency, consistency, quality, and scalability. Oversee procurement and inventory of lumber, hardware, consumables, materials, tools, and fabrication supplies. Ensure tools, machinery, and shop equipment are properly maintained, serviced, and available to support production needs. Determine when work should be completed internally versus outsourced based on capability, capacity, timeline, quality, and cost. Team Leadership & Development Lead, mentor, and develop Activate's fabrication team, establishing clear expectations for craftsmanship, productivity, safety, accountability, and teamwork. Assign projects and responsibilities based on skill level, workload, project complexity, and development opportunities. Provide hands-on technical coaching and guidance while empowering team members to independently solve fabrication challenges. Identify skill gaps and training opportunities that expand the capabilities and versatility of the fabrication team. Foster a collaborative, solutions-oriented shop culture built around craftsmanship, ownership, and continuous improvement. Vendor & Partner Management Identify, evaluate, and manage specialty fabrication vendors, engineers, material suppliers, and other outside production partners. Develop clear scopes of work and ensure outside partners meet project specifications, quality standards, budgets, and timelines. Build a reliable network of external resources that can expand Activate's fabrication capabilities when specialized expertise or additional capacity is required. Quality, Safety & Installation Establish and maintain quality-control standards throughout the fabrication process, from prototype through final finish. Ensure fabricated assets meet approved creative direction, structural requirements, client expectations, and Activate's standards before deployment. Maintain a safe, organized, and professional shop environment and ensure compliance with established safety procedures, PPE requirements, and equipment protocols. Partner with Operations to develop installation plans for complex fabricated elements and provide technical leadership during load-ins when appropriate. Troubleshoot fabrication-related challenges in the field and develop practical solutions when venue conditions or other circumstances require modifications. Qualifications & Experience 10+ years of experience in experiential fabrication, scenic construction, exhibit production, custom fabrication, theatrical production, or a related environment. Significant experience leading fabrication teams, shops, crews, or complex production environments. Advanced knowledge of wood fabrication, scenic construction, structural build methods, materials, finishing, and custom fabrication techniques. Demonstrated ability to translate creative concepts, sketches, renderings, and drawings into executable build strategies. Experience estimating fabrication labor, materials, timelines, and outside production requirements. Strong understanding of fabrication drawings, shop drawings, prototyping, and design-to-build workflows. Experience with CNC fabrication, digital fabrication, composites, metalwork, foam, specialty finishes, or other advanced fabrication methods strongly preferred. Proven ability to manage multiple complex builds simultaneously while balancing quality, schedule, budget, and available resources. Strong leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills. Excellent problem-solving ability with the judgment to make sound decisions in fast-moving production environments. Ability and willingness to travel periodically to support complex installations, load-ins, or other program needs. Activate provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, genetic information, service in the military, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances.

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Parental leave Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person