Heavy Fabrication Workshop Manager

Build exceptional projects with an exceptional team. Are you looking for a professional management role within a progressive engineering business that takes pride in doing things the right way? Do you enjoy leading talented tradespeople, delivering high-quality fabrication projects, and continually improving the way work is done? Are you someone who wants to keep learning, grow your influence, and help develop the people around you? If so, we'd like to hear from you. Energy Plant Solutions is a fast-growing New Zealand engineering company specialising in the design, manufacture, installation, and servicing of industrial energy plants. Based in Palmerston North, we are seeking an experienced Heavy Fabrication Workshop Manager to lead our fabrication team and play a key role in the continued growth of our business. This is a senior leadership position requiring proven experience managing a heavy fabrication workshop. We are looking for someone who is technically capable, highly organised, self-motivated, and respected by those they work with. You will lead by example, uphold high standards of quality and safety, and help develop the next generation of skilled tradespeople. In return, we offer a competitive salary package ranging from $125,000 to $155,000 per annum, depending on your experience, skills, and proven ability. ABOUT US Energy Plant Solutions designs, manufactures, installs, and services large industrial energy plants and associated process equipment throughout New Zealand. Our projects are recognised for their innovation, quality, and reliability, and we continually strive to raise the standard within our industry. Established 20 years ago, our business has experienced significant growth over the past six years. We now employ 60 people throughout New Zealand, with our head office and manufacturing facility located in Palmerston North, supported by service centres in Christchurch, Taupō, and Hamilton. A significant proportion of our work is focused on renewable energy and industrial decarbonisation, helping New Zealand industries reduce their reliance on coal and natural gas while improving energy efficiency and sustainability. ABOUT THE ROLE 1. PURPOSE To lead and manage Energy Plant Solutions' Heavy Fabrication Workshop team based in Palmerston North. The Heavy Fabrication Workshop Manager is responsible for ensuring the workshop operates safely, efficiently, profitably, and in accordance with Energy Plant Solutions' quality standards. This includes leading workshop personnel, managing production workflows, ensuring compliance with quality and safety requirements, maintaining fabrication standards, and delivering workshop-based projects on time, within budget, and to Energy Plant Solutions' quality expectations. The Heavy Fabrication Workshop Manager has direct responsibility for the Workshop Foreman, fabrication personnel, apprentices, and stores personnel associated with the Heavy Fabrication Workshop. 2. KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES & DUTIES 2.1 Operational Leadership & Workflow You will: a) Plan, allocate, and schedule workshop labour and resources to maximise productivity and achieve project delivery targets. b) Coordinate personnel, materials, equipment, equipment hire, subcontractors, and workshop resources to ensure fabrication activities are completed safely, efficiently, and to the required quality standards. c) Liaise with the Machine Shop Manager, Service Manager, Project Managers, and other departments to effectively manage shared resources and support collaborative project delivery. d) Work closely with the Store Manager to ensure the timely procurement of materials and consumables, maintain appropriate stock levels, and achieve best-value purchasing outcomes. e) Arrange crane hire, freight, sandblasting, painting, galvanising, and other specialist services as required for workshop based activities. f) Monitor workshop productivity, labour utilisation, and workflow efficiency, implementing corrective actions where required. g) Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives to improve safety, productivity, quality, and profitability. h) Ensure compliance with all Energy Plant Solutions policies, procedures, and requirements contained within the Company Handbook. 2.2 Project Oversight & Reporting You will: a) Review fabrication drawings, job estimates, quotations, material take-offs, and project requirements before work commences. b) Monitor project progress, labour expenditure, and material consumption against budget and programme requirements. c) Immediately escape project risks, delays, cost overruns, quality concerns, or resource constraints to the General Manager and relevant Project Manager. d) Provide accurate and timely reporting on workshop workload, project status, labour utilisation, quality performance, and operational issues. e) Act as Energy Plant Solutions' technical authority for welding, fabrication, and pressure vessel construction standards during internal and client-facing discussions. f) Maintain effective communication with clients, suppliers, inspectors, and project stakeholders in conjunction with Project Managers. g) Attend company planning meetings and support other areas of the business to help achieve company objectives. 2.3 Quality Assurance & Compliance You will: a) Manage and maintain welder qualifications, welder requalifications, welding procedures, weld maps, Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs), Manufacturing Data Reports (MDRs), material traceability records, material test certificates, and project quality documentation. b) Carry out fabrication inspections in your capacity as Energy Plant Solutions' in-house Welding Inspector. c) Ensure all fabrication work complies with applicable standards, codes, client specifications, and Energy Plant Solutions quality requirements. d) Work closely with the Quality Manager to develop, maintain, and continuously improve quality systems and procedures. e) Conduct routine and random quality audits and implement corrective and preventive actions where required. f) Drive a culture of right-first-time fabrication with the objective of minimising rework and non-conformances. g) Engage the company's in-house 3D Scanner Technician to scan completed fabrications and verify dimensional accuracy against the 3D models. Review the resulting inspection reports with the technician and report any significant issues or non-conformances to management. You will: a) Directly manage the Workshop Foreman, fabrication personnel, apprentices, and stores personnel associated with the Heavy Fabrication Workshop. b) Provide leadership, direction, and support to the Workshop Foreman to ensure workshop objectives and production targets are achieved. c) Identify skills gaps and develop training plans to improve technical capability, productivity, and safety performance. d) Support and mentor senior tradespeople to actively participate in apprentice development and skills transfer. e) Monitor apprentice progress and ensure completion of on-the-job competencies, block courses, and correspondence requirements. f) Provide regular coaching, feedback, and development opportunities. g) Address performance, conduct, attendance, workmanship, and behavioural issues in accordance with company procedures and in consultation with the General Manager where appropriate. h) Promote a positive workplace culture built on accountability, teamwork, professionalism, and continuous improvement. i) Lead by example and consistently demonstrate high standards of technical competence, professionalism, and safe behavior. 2.5 Health, Safety & Environment You will: a) Promote and maintain a strong health and safety culture throughout the workshop. b) Ensure compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, company procedures, safe work practices, and all site-specific requirements. c) Enforce the use of required PPE and safe systems of work at all times. d) Ensure workshop housekeeping and organisation standards are maintained. e) Work closely with the Health and Safety Manager to identify, manage, and reduce workplace risks. f) Ensure preventative maintenance programmes are implemented and maintained for workshop equipment, cranes, forklifts, vehicles, tooling, and plant. g) Lead or assist with incident investigations and ensure corrective actions are implemented and closed out within agreed timeframes. h) Promote proactive hazard identification, near-miss reporting, and continuous safety improvement. i) Take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure the health and safety of workers and others who may be affected by workshop activities. Category Target On-time Delivery ≥95% of jobs completed on or before agreed delivery dates Labour Productivity Achieve budgeted labour hours on projects Rework ≤1% of total fabrication labour hours Safety Quality Zero major non-conformances attributable to workshop workmanship 100% completion of planned competency milestones Material Variance Workshop maintained to company standards at all times 4. GENERAL OBLIGATIONS You will: a) Work the hours necessary to effectively fulfil the requirements of the role, including reasonable additional hours when required. b) Comply with all Energy Plant Solutions policies, procedures, employment agreement obligations, and lawful company instructions. c) Maintain the confidentiality of Energy Plant Solutions' commercial information, intellectual property, systems, and client information. d) Declare and immediately report any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest. e) Undertake any other duties reasonably required by the General Manager or Directors that are consistent with your skills, experience, and the operational needs of the business. f) Act at all times in a manner that protects and promotes the reputation, values, and interests of Energy Plant Solutions. #J-18808-Ljbffr