Fabrication Team Lead

Summary/Objective:

The Fabrication Team Lead at Aalberts Hydronic Flow Control is a critical role responsible for the successful HEP (Hydronic Efficiency Products) operation of the plant. This role involves supervising daily welding and fabrication operations, ensuring quality, efficiency, and safety standards are met, and driving continuous improvement initiatives. The ideal candidate will have strong technical expertise, leadership experience, and a passion for mentoring and developing a high-performing team. Additionally, this position requires a hands-on approach to troubleshooting equipment, optimizing production processes, and ensuring compliance with engineering and safety standards.

Essential Functions:

• Operate and maintain machinery used in fabrication, ensuring proper function and production efficiency.
• Operate and maintain robotic welding equipment, troubleshooting minor mechanical or programming issues.
• Tack and weld sheet metal components using GMAW (Gas Metal Arc Welding), ensuring weld integrity.
• Inspect weldments for defects, monitor automated welding equipment, and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Operate lifting equipment, including overhead cranes, hoists, and forklifts, using safe lifting practices.
• Ensure all welding work complies with engineering specifications, company policies, and safety standards.
• Supervise welding and fabrication operations to meet production deadlines, quality benchmarks, and efficiency goals.
• Train, mentor, and develop fabrication team members, fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Perform regular inspections, audits, and quality checks to ensure product conformance and process consistency.
• Collaborate with engineering, production, and maintenance teams to optimize processes, improve efficiency, and address technical challenges.
• Move materials around the facility to supply the manufacturing line and maintain production flow.
• Assist in final assembly and inspection of products, ensuring proper fit and finish.
• Enforce compliance with PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) requirements, safety protocols, and company policies.
• Maintain accurate records related to production, quality control, and maintenance activities.
• Support implementation of lean manufacturing and 5S principles to improve operational efficiency.
• Perform routine preventative maintenance on welding and fabrication equipment.
• Participate in process improvement initiatives and team collaboration efforts.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Competencies:

• Strong understanding of safe manufacturing processes and the ability to identify and mitigate potential hazards.
• Ability to pass a 6G weld test (GMAW) and demonstrate proficiency in various welding techniques.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and teamwork skills to effectively supervise and develop team members.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, schematics, and welding symbols to ensure accuracy in production.
• Detail-oriented with a strong focus on quality control, defect detection, and continuous improvement.
• Proficiency in using measuring tools, such as calipers, micrometers, and weld gauges, for precision work.
• Ability to identify weld defects, correct inconsistencies, and ensure conformance to specifications.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and ability to troubleshoot equipment malfunctions quickly and effectively.
• Familiarity with basic computer skills for machine operation, data entry, and production tracking.
• Experience with lean manufacturing principles, process optimization, and workflow efficiency improvements.

Work Environment:

This job operates in a production warehouse environment

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The employee is occasionally required to stand, sit, climb, or balance as well as stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The employee is regularly required to talk or hear.

Required Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma or GED
• 2 years of experience in welding and fabrication in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Experience with basic mechanical troubleshooting and machine operation.
• Proven ability to lead a team, delegate tasks, and manage workflow in a production setting.

AAP/EEO Statement:

Aalberts hydronic flow control, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Aalberts hydronic flow control, Inc. complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, and transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Aalberts hydronic flow control, Inc. expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, genetic information, disability or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Aalberts hydronic flow control, Inc. employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Employee signature below constitutes employee's understanding of the requirements, essential functions and duties of the position.