Welding and Fabrication Shop Director

The Role: QLS, LLC is seeking an experienced Fabrication & Welding Shop Director for our client in Dothan, Alabama. This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for managing daily shop operations, production, personnel, quality, safety, scheduling, equipment, and materials. The ideal candidate will have strong welding and fabrication experience, proven leadership capabilities, and the ability to manage both the operational and business aspects of a fabrication shop. This is an onsite position in Dothan, Alabama. Local candidates are preferred. Relocation may be considered for a highly qualified candidate, including potential relocation assistance. 

Temp-to-Perm Opportunity: This position will initially be filled through QLS, LLC on a temp-to-perm basis. The client will have the opportunity to evaluate the candidate's technical skills, leadership, and performance before extending an offer of direct employment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage daily fabrication and welding shop operations, workflow, staffing, and production priorities.
• Lead, supervise, and develop welders, fabricators, and other shop personnel.
• Ensure production schedules, quality standards, and customer requirements are met.
• Monitor productivity, labor utilization, material usage, rework, and overall shop performance.
• Provide technical guidance on welding and fabrication processes and troubleshoot production issues.
• Read and interpret blueprints, shop drawings, weld symbols, and specifications.
• Maintain a safe, organized, and efficient shop environment.
• Oversee equipment, materials, maintenance, and production resources.
• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, efficiency, quality, and profitability.
• Utilize technology and business systems to support shop operations and reporting.
• Demonstrate strong Microsoft Excel skills and the ability to analyze operational data.
• Understand basic financial concepts and the fundamentals of a P&L, including labor, material, overhead, and operating costs.
• Partner with company leadership on production, staffing, budgeting, and operational decisions.

Qualifications:

• 8+ years of experience managing or supervising a welding, fabrication, manufacturing, or comparable industrial shop environment.
• Strong hands-on knowledge of welding and fabrication processes.
• Proven experience leading and managing production personnel.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, fabrication drawings, weld symbols, and technical specifications.
• Strong understanding of production, quality, safety, and shop operations.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and business technology.
• Basic understanding of P&L statements and financial performance.
• Ability to understand how labor, material, productivity, and operating costs impact profitability.
• Strong leadership, communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a hands-on, onsite industrial environment.

Preferred: Experience with structural or industrial fabrication, AWS standards, welding certifications, ERP/MRP systems, production scheduling, or Lean/continuous improvement.

Work Environment: This is an onsite fabrication and welding shop environment involving exposure to industrial equipment, welding operations, heat, noise, fumes, and other typical manufacturing conditions. The position requires the ability to safely perform the essential functions of the role: · Stand and walk for extended periods throughout the workday. · Frequently bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and reach. · Climb stairs, ladders, and platforms as needed to access work areas. · Lift and carry materials or equipment weighing up to 50 pounds as needed. · Push, pull, and maneuver materials and equipment. · Work around welding operations, machinery, heat, noise, dust, fumes, and varying temperatures. · Use hands and fingers to operate tools, equipment, computers, and other workplace devices. · Maintain visual and physical awareness of shop operations and work activities. · Wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).

Compensation: Compensation will be based on experience, qualifications, technical expertise, and leadership background. The selected candidate will initially be employed through QLS, LLC and assigned to the client's Dothan, Alabama facility. The client will evaluate performance and overall fit during the temporary assignment before a direct offer is made.

 Equal Employment Opportunity's, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. QLS, LLC provides equal employment opportunities to qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Employment decisions are based on job-related qualifications, business needs, performance, and other lawful considerations. Qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are