Manufacturing Manager

Responsibilities Operations Management Direct and oversee daily manufacturing activities for black fab, blasting, painting, beveling, and tower assembly operations. Ensure production schedules are developed, maintained, and achieved while hitting safety, quality, and efficiency standards. Coordinate manpower, equipment, materials, and material movements to optimize workflow and minimize downtime. Use and train employees on the Oracle ERP system to ensure compliance with labor time, material, and quality standards. Monitor production KPIs including work order variances, throughput, efficiency, scrap, rework, and on-time delivery. Optimize operational costs and productivity. Prepare reports and action plans, as needed for appropriate KPIs including utilization, efficiency, variances, and on time delivery. Produce monthly budget reviews in partnership with Finance looking at expenses, COGS and shipments. Coordinate with other departments to ensure timely and efficient throughput of product through the facility. Safety & Compliance Promote and enforce a strong safety culture throughout all departments. Ensure compliance with OSHA, environmental, and company safety standards including being the focal point for TCEQ certifications/monitoring supported by HSE. Lead safety meetings, incident investigations, corrective actions, and risk reduction initiatives. Ensure proper use of PPE and adherence to welding, painting, and heavy fabrication safety procedures. Quality Management Ensure all products meet customer, engineering, and industry specifications. Support quality assurance processes including inspections, weld quality standards, coating specifications, and dimensional requirements. Drive root cause analysis and corrective actions for quality issues and customer concerns. Work closely with QA/QC teams to maintain compliance with ISO and customer requirements. Leadership & Workforce Development Lead and develop supervisors, leads, and hourly personnel across multiple departments. Conduct performance evaluations, coaching, disciplinary actions, and employee development planning. Foster teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement culture. Assist in recruiting, training, and retention of skilled manufacturing personnel. Continuous Improvement Lead Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives focused on productivity, waste reduction, and process optimization. Analyze production data and implement corrective actions to improve operational performance. Support implementation of 5S, Kaizen, and standard work procedures. Identify opportunities for automation, equipment upgrades, and process improvements. Budget & Resource Management Manage departmental labor and operational costs within budget targets. Monitor consumables, tooling, and equipment utilization. Participate in capital planning and equipment investment projects. Qualifications Education Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Business Management, or related field preferred. Equivalent manufacturing leadership experience may be considered in lieu of degree. Experience Minimum 7-10 years of manufacturing experience in heavy fabrication, steel manufacturing, or wind tower production. Minimum 5 years of leadership experience managing multiple production departments. Strong knowledge of welding processes, industrial painting/coatings, steel assembly, and beveling operations. Experience with large structural steel fabrication preferred. Experience with Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies required. Technical Skills Knowledge of welding codes, fabrication standards, and industrial coating systems. Understanding of production scheduling and manufacturing KPIs. Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office applications. Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and specifications. Leadership Competencies Strong leadership and decision-making skills. Excellent communication and organizational abilities. Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. Results-driven with strong problem-solving capabilities. Working Conditions Manufacturing plant environment with exposure to welding, grinding, painting, heavy equipment, and industrial noise. Frequent walking, standing, and interaction on the production floor. May require occasional overtime and weekend work to support production demands. Physical Requirements Ability to walk production areas for extended periods. Ability to wear required PPE including hard hat, safety glasses, respirator, hearing protection, and steel-toed boots. Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds. Preferred Certifications Lean Six Sigma certification preferred. OSHA 30 certification preferred. CWI (Certified Welding Inspector) knowledge or experience is a plus.