Fabrication Leader

About Us:

BW Packaging is driving performance at the intersection of people, technology, and customer care. As part of the privately held Barry-Wehmiller family, we unite a global team of packaging experts with a clear purpose: People Who Care, Building Solutions that Perform. We take on our customers’ toughest challenges as our own — delivering both innovative and enduring solutions that set the standard for value and performance. Our strength comes from our people and the power of our brands — trusted names in packaging that are known worldwide for engineering excellence, application expertise, and lifetime commitment to customer success. Truly Human Leadership guides our belief that exceptional business results and profound respect for people together provide the foundation of enduring success. We are committed to forging lasting partnerships with our customers, earning their trust through integrity, expertise, and execution. With our full range of packaging solutions and long term partnership and service, we help customers achieve operational excellence today while building the future of packaging together.

 

Barry-Wehmiller is a diversified global supplier of engineering consulting and manufacturing technology for the packaging, corrugating, sheeting and paper-converting industries. By blending people-centric leadership with disciplined operational strategies and purpose-driven growth, Barry-Wehmiller has become a $3 billion organization with nearly 12,000 team members united by a common belief: to use the power of business to build a better world.

 

Job Description:

The Fabrication Leader is responsible for the leadership, oversight, and performance of local fabrication operations to ensure high-quality parts are produced and delivered on time to support manufacturing and customer requirements. This role has responsibility for fabrication operations, facilities maintenance, safety, staffing, training, and talent development.

The Fabrication Leader provides insightful leadership by encouraging team members to discover, develop, and apply their talents to reach their full potential. This role actively engages in the organization’s Lean / World Class Manufacturing journey, driving continuous improvement, capability development, and operational excellence in alignment with the BW Way.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy

• Establish clear goals and objectives across all areas of fabrication responsibility.
• Partner with site leadership to define optimal strategy, organizational structure, and a purposeful people plan aligned with site step-change goals.
• Monitor, measure, and communicate performance against established goals and objectives.
• Effectively lead, motivate, coach, and mentor the fabrication team to achieve quantity, quality, safety, delivery, and cost objectives.
• Forecast labor utilization and absorption to support operational planning and cost control.

Safety & Compliance

• Act as a key contributor and driver of site safety outcomes.
• Lead site safety initiatives and ensure compliance to promote a strong safety culture.
• Ensure environmental and regulatory compliance related to facilities and fabrication operations.
• Maintain a safe, organized, and compliant work environment across all fabrication areas.

Operational Excellence & Lean Manufacturing

• Promote, support, and facilitate the L3 / World Class Manufacturing journey.
• Formulate, recommend, and implement production policies to ensure compliance with quality, safety, and cost standards.
• Lead SMED initiatives to sustain and improve CNC machining standards and changeover efficiency.
• Implement and maintain systems to accurately track raw material inventory.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities to improve throughput, lead time, cost, and quality.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Act as a liaison across functional areas and value streams to improve information flow and operational efficiency.
• Provide input and feedback into master scheduling to support customer delivery requirements.
• Collaborate across multiple geographic sites and functional teams to identify opportunities for additional machining capacity.
• Partner with the Aftermarket Director to ensure departments work in concert to share information, resources, and capacity.
• Partner with Supply Chain leadership to improve lead times, reduce inventory, and lower overall cost.

Financial & Asset Management

• Develop proposals and business cases to justify capital investments in equipment and facilities.
• Approve purchases required to maintain production, machinery, and facilities within established budget guidelines.
• Ensure effective utilization and maintenance of machining equipment and facilities.
• Responsible for facilities maintenance planning and execution.

Job Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to plan, manage, and communicate workflow and job performance using multiple tools, including electronic systems, visual boards, and reports.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to lead meetings and present effectively to internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work collaboratively with all departments and organizational levels.
• Ability to perform effectively under tight deadlines and high-stress situations.
• Strong problem-solving skills with a demonstrated ability to develop creative and effective solutions.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree, professional qualification, or equivalent experience in a relevant discipline.
• Minimum of 5 +  years of leadership experience, preferably in a manufacturing or fabrication environment.
• Previous experience in fabrication or machine shop operations.
• Demonstrated experience applying Lean Manufacturing concepts and tools.
• Inventory management and material requirements planning experience.
• Excellent organizational, planning, and scheduling skills.
• Demonstrated effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office Suite, CRM systems, and Mapics/Paperless or similar ERP systems.
• Thorough understanding of machining processes, equipment technology, shop procedures, and the ability to read mechanical and electrical drawings.
• Proven track record of meeting production goals, maintaining high quality standards, and achieving key performance metrics such as on-time delivery, accuracy, quality, and inventory control.

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience in the packaging industry.
• Previous leadership experience leading a large, cross-functional team.
• APICS or other relevant professional certifications.

The approximate pay range for this position is $100K -$120K (DOE). Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Final compensation may vary based on factors including but not limited to background, knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as geographic location of the position.

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At Barry-Wehmiller we recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job.  If your experience is close to what you see listed here, please still consider applying.  We know that our differences often can bring about innovation, excellence and meaningful work—therefore, people from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply to our positions.  Please let us know if you require reasonable accommodations during the interview process. ​

Barry-Wehmiller is an equal opportunity employer. M/F/D/V This organization uses E-Verify.

 

Applicants may be subject to pre-employment screening which may include drug screening, reference checks, employment verifications, background screening and/or skills assessments.

Company:

BW Packaging