Weld Shop Lead

Big Top Manufacturing • Flower Mound, TX

18h

About The Position

The Weld Shop Lead serves as the primary point of contact for daily weld shop activities and helps ensure work is completed safely, efficiently, and to quality standards. The role supports coordination of workflow, communicates priorities, trains and supports team members, and escalates issues as needed. The Weld Shop Lead works with management to support production objectives and foster teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement. This position reports directly to the Production Manager.

The role assists the Production Manager with supervision of welding department employees, including interview support, onboarding, training, coaching, work assignment, performance management, corrective action, employee development, and accountability practices in partnership with Human Resources and plant leadership.

The position operates in a production environment with noise, moving equipment, and varying temperatures. Work involves frequent exposure to moving mechanical parts and risk of electrical shock; occasional exposure to high or precarious places with appropriate safety precautions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, outside weather, extreme heat, and vibration. The noise level is usually loud, and hearing protection is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Requirements

• Minimum five years of welding or fabrication experience in a manufacturing, production, or fabrication environment.
• Ability to provide day-to-day guidance and support to weld shop employees while promoting teamwork and accountability.
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to communicate expectations, priorities, and feedback effectively.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to read and interpret fabrication drawings, blueprints, work orders, specifications, and welding symbols.
• Good problem-solving skills and ability to identify and communicate production, quality, or workflow concerns.
• Organized and detail-oriented, with ability to manage multiple tasks in a manufacturing environment.
• Working knowledge of steel fabrication processes, welding techniques, welding equipment, and shop safety practices.
• Ability to prioritize work and adjust to changing production needs.
• Familiarity with welding and fabrication quality requirements and inspection processes.
• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office applications and production reporting systems.
• Ability to understand and follow written procedures, work instructions, safety requirements, and technical documentation.
• Ability to complete production reports, records, and other required documentation accurately.
• Basic mathematical skills sufficient to perform measurements, fractions, percentages, and routine production calculations.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds on a regular basis and perform the physical activities described, including climbing, balancing, walking, stooping, and carrying materials.
• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.

Nice To Haves

• Previous supervisory, lead, or equivalent shop leadership experience.
• Experience providing day-to-day guidance, training, and support to production employees.
• Experience assisting with employee onboarding, skills development, cross-training, or qualification tracking.
• Experience identifying workflow issues and contributing to process improvements in a manufacturing environment.
• AWS welding certification, CWI/CWE exposure, or equivalent documented welding qualification experience.
• Experience in a quality-driven manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Support safe, quality, and productive welding operations and help the team meet daily production goals.
• Coordinate work for Welder I, Welder II, and Welder III employees by communicating priorities, assigning tasks, and providing day-to-day guidance.
• Help organize labor, equipment, materials, and workflow to support production schedules and customer requirements.
• Review drawings, work orders, specifications, and related documentation to help ensure work meets requirements.
• Reinforce PPE requirements, equipment safety rules, and established procedures.
• Monitor work quality and assist with inspections, issue resolution, and corrective actions.
• Assist with training new employees and supporting skill development through on-the-job coaching and cross-training.
• Provide management with feedback about employee performance, training needs, staffing concerns, and operational challenges.
• Track and communicate production progress, department metrics, and workflow issues to management as needed.
• Use ERP and production systems for labor reporting, production tracking, and work order completion.
• Maintain accurate production, labor, inventory, and quality records.
• Support compliance with procedures, work instructions, and department standards.
• Work with Quality, Safety, Engineering, and Operations personnel to address production concerns and implement process improvements.
• Monitor welding equipment, tools, and fixtures and report maintenance or repair needs to management.
• Maintain assigned records related to production, training, certifications, quality issues, and safety concerns.
• Encourage teamwork, professionalism, and accountability, and help resolve routine employee concerns and production issues.
• Participate in continuous improvement efforts to enhance safety, quality, efficiency, and overall shop performance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Assist the Production Manager with supervision of welding department employees, including interview support, onboarding, training, coaching, work assignment, performance management, corrective action, employee development, and accountability practices.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance at no cost after 60 days; premiums are 100% employer-paid.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Free short-term and long-term disability insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Employee assistance program.
• Generous vacation allowance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED