Department: Steel
FLSA Status: Exempt
Job Status: Full Time
Reports To: VP of Finance
Positions Supervised: Steel Shop Foreman, Welders, Fitters, Helpers, Shop Personnel
Summary/Objective
The Steel Manager is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the Steel Fabrication department to ensure work is completed safely, efficiently, on schedule, and in accordance with Freedom Waterworks' quality standards. This position manages production, labor, scheduling, quality, inventory, equipment, and employee performance while collaborating with Sales, Project Management, Purchasing, Warehouse, Paint, and Engineering to meet customer expectations and operational goals.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Oversee daily steel fabrication operations, including production scheduling, labor planning, equipment utilization, inventory coordination, welding activities, and workflow to ensure customer orders are completed safely, on time, and within quality standards.
- Lead, coach, develop, and hold accountable shop supervisors and fabrication employees.
- Coordinate fabrication priorities with Sales, Project Management, Purchasing, Warehouse, Paint, and Engineering.
- Ensure all fabricated products meet company quality standards and applicable customer specifications.
- Serve as the department owner for SPFA, NSF/ANSI/CAN 61, and all safety programs, ensuring compliance, documentation, audits, employee training, and adherence to company and regulatory standards.
- Ensure compliance with applicable AWWA, AWS, ASME, OSHA, and company policies and procedures.
- Oversee welding procedures, inspections, preventive maintenance, and material availability to support production schedules.
- Identify and implement process improvements that increase productivity, reduce waste, improve quality, and control costs.
- Assist with hiring, onboarding, training, performance management, employee development, disciplinary actions, and succession planning.
- Support departmental budgeting, capital equipment planning, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Build strong working relationships across departments to ensure exceptional customer service and project execution.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Required Skills and Abilities
- Extensive knowledge of carbon steel and stainless-steel pipe fabrication and welding processes.
- Ability to read and interpret fabrication drawings, blueprints, specifications, and isometric drawings.
- Strong understanding of AWWA, AWS, ASME, SPFA, NSF/ANSI/CAN 61, and OSHA requirements.
- Experience with production scheduling, labor management, quality control, and inventory coordination.
- Strong leadership, coaching, communication, organizational, and decision-making skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ERP systems such as Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central or similar manufacturing software.
- Ability to analyze production metrics and implement process improvements.
Education and Experience
- Minimum of 10 years of steel fabrication and welding experience.
- Minimum of 5 years of manufacturing or fabrication leadership experience.
- Experience supervising fabrication personnel of 15 or more and managing production schedules.
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Business, Construction Management, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience will be considered.
- Certified Welding Inspector (CWI), Lean Manufacturing, or Six Sigma certification is preferred.
- Experience in the municipal waterworks industry is preferred.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to work in both office and manufacturing environments.
- Frequent walking throughout the fabrication facility.
- Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.
- Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) while in production areas
Perks & Benefits
- Medical Insurance (Company pays 75% of employee-only premiums and 50% of dependent premiums)
- Dental & Vision Insurance
- 401(k) with Company Match
- Company-Paid Life Insurance
- 15 PTO Days & 9 Paid Holidays
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Performance-Based Bonus Opportunities
- Training & Career Advancement
- Safety-First Culture
Skills Required
- Minimum 10 years of steel fabrication and welding experience.
- Minimum 5 years of manufacturing or fabrication leadership experience.
- Experience supervising fabrication personnel of 15 or more and managing production schedules.
- Extensive knowledge of carbon steel and stainless-steel pipe fabrication and welding processes.
- Ability to read and interpret fabrication drawings, blueprints, specifications, and isometric drawings.
- Strong understanding of AWWA, AWS, ASME, SPFA, NSF/ANSI/CAN 61, and OSHA requirements.
- Experience with production scheduling, labor management, quality control, and inventory coordination.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ERP systems such as Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central or similar manufacturing software.
- Ability to analyze production metrics and implement process improvements.
- Ability to work in office and manufacturing environments, frequent walking in facility, occasionally lift up to 25 pounds, wear PPE.
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Business, Construction Management or related field (or equivalent experience).
- Certified Welding Inspector (CWI), Lean Manufacturing, or Six Sigma certification.
- Experience in the municipal waterworks industry.
What We Do
Freedom Waterworks, formerly known as Cohen Industrial Supply Co., is a leading independent pipe fabrication and distribution company specializing in clean water solutions. They provide comprehensive piping solutions for the water, wastewater, and petrochemical industries, delivering American-made ductile iron, carbon steel, and stainless steel pipe, valves, and fittings to support critical infrastructure and water management projects across the United States.
