Job Description

Job Title: Fabrication and Weld Supervisor

Location:

Oldham

Reporting To:

Production Manager

Hours:

Monday to Friday 44 hours

Employment Type:

Permanent, Full time

Pay:

40,000-45,000 per annum

About the Role

We are looking for a proactive and experienced Fabrication and Weld Supervisor to lead our skilled team of welders and fabricators within a high-volume, fast-paced manufacturing environment. This hands-on supervisory role is critical to ensuring output, safety, quality, and performance targets are achieved consistently.

As the front-line leader of up to 20 operatives, you will oversee day-to-day activities across manual and semi-automated (e.g. NAP machine) welding operations, ensuring products meet strict quality and customer standards. You'll also be a key driver of process improvement, staff development, and operational excellence.

You will oversee daily team activities, uphold safety and quality standards, support training and development, and help drive performance and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership & People Management

Supervise and support a team of experienced fabricators and welders, allocating daily workloads and monitoring performance. Lead daily stand-up meetings and briefings to communicate plans, results, and priorities using visual management tools (e.g. SQCDP) to review Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery and People (SQCDP) performance and drive accountability. Conduct regular one-to-one reviews, appraisals and development planning to support individual and team progression. Identify training needs, maintain skills matrices, and coordinate training sessions to close capability gaps. Lead, coach, and motivate the team to foster a collaborative and productive work environment including running training sessions and setting development goals. Demonstrate leadership skills with experience communicating with senior leaders. Ensure issues and actions are followed through with 360-degree feedback loop.

Production & Workflow Management

Manage production orders and schedules, ensuring daily targets are achieved and any issues are resolved promptly. Support and oversee product changeovers to maintain flow and minimise downtime. Create and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) and ensure they are followed consistently. Monitor and report daily performance data (e.g. yield, defects, schedule adherence), addressing any variances quickly.

Quality Assurance & Safety

Prepare daily KPI reports in Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery and People. Ensure quality standards are upheld across all fabrication and weld activities, including MIG, Stick and NAP machine operations. Carry out in-process and final product inspections, ensuring "right first time" standards and reducing rework. Strong awareness of QMS, policies and procedures to be able to perform regular quality audits and record/report results as part of the wider QMS. Demonstrate commitment to Health & Safety through audits, risk assessments and enforcement of safe working practices. Promote a culture of safety awareness and lead by example in all work areas. Conduct risk assessments to identify potential hazards, implement control measures, and ensure a safe working environment for all team members.

Resource Planning & Equipment Care

Review and adjust resource levels to ensure capacity meets demand and flag any bottlenecks working closely with other departments to provide accurate forward planning. Coordinate preventative maintenance activities in line with TPM schedules liaising with the maintenance team to coordinate TPM activities and plan production effectively around scheduled equipment downtime. Ensure equipment, jigs and tools are kept in optimal working condition and faults are addressed quickly. Maintain clean, safe, and organised work areas in line with 5S and housekeeping standards.

Problem Solving & Continuous Improvement

Lead or support reactive and proactive problem-solving sessions using structured methods and generating root cause analysis to resolve recurring issues and improve processes. Analyse data to make informed decisions and implement corrective actions. Encourage team involvement in improvement initiatives and small-scale projects. Conduct daily Gemba walks to identify improvement opportunities and ensure adherence to processes. Champion a continuous improvement culture aligned with company goals.

What We're Looking For

Essential:

Proven supervisory experience in a welding or fabrication setting. Strong technical knowledge of MIG, Stick and automated welding processes. Ability to interpret technical engineering drawings and production paperwork. Experience identifying weld defects and overseeing quality rework. Comfortable with NAP or NC machine operation and supporting programming activities. Hands-on leadership approach with a team-first attitude and excellent communication skills. Health and safety conscious with strong organisational awareness. Exposure to lean manufacturing or continuous improvement practices.

Desirable:

Experience in fire protection, pipework fabrication, or sprinkler systems. Welding or fabrication qualification (e.g. NVQ, City & Guilds, etc.). Lean and Six Sigma (Yellow belt) IOSH accreditation

Why Join Us?

Work for one of the UK's leading manufacturers in the fire safety sector.

Lead a skilled and supportive team in a modern, well-equipped facility.

Be part of a stable and growing business with long-term opportunities.

25 days holiday plus bank holidays, free on-site parking, and company pension.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 40,000.00-45,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Additional leave Company pension Free parking
Schedule:

Monday to Friday
Ability to commute/relocate:

Oldham OL9 9ND: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Experience:

Supervising: 3 years (required) Fabrication: 3 years (required)
Work authorisation:

United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person