Job Description
Job Description
MANUFACTURING MANAGER Heavy Industry | Steel Fabrication | Stockton, CA Salary: $90,000 – $95,000 DOE | Full-Time | Direct Hire | On-Site
THE OPPORTUNITY
This is a rare chance to step into a key leadership role at an established and growing heavy-industry manufacturer in the Central Valley. As Manufacturing Manager, you will own the production floor — driving efficiency, quality, and safety while leading a skilled team of craftspeople. Reporting directly to the President/General Manager, you'll have the authority and trust to shape how the department runs, and your fingerprints will be on every unit that ships out the door.
If you're a hands-on leader with deep roots in steel fabrication or heavy manufacturing and a track record of building high-performing teams, this role was written for you.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
Lead Production & Manufacturing Operations
- Own the end-to-end manufacturing process — from scheduling and workflow management to on-time, on-budget delivery of all new, used, and refurbished components and complete machines
- Develop and maintain production schedules that keep your team productive and customers happy
- Continuously identify and implement process improvements to increase throughput and reduce waste
Champion Safety & Compliance
- Foster a safety-first culture — lead by example, enforce best practices, and ensure full compliance with OSHA, Cal-OSHA, and CERS requirements
- Keep all equipment, tools, and lifting devices in safe, proper working order and ensure your team is trained to use them correctly
Develop & Empower Your Team
- Hire, train, and cross-train production staff to build a versatile, high-performing workforce
- Set clear expectations, provide ongoing coaching, and keep your team engaged and accountable to production goals
Drive Quality Control
- Maintain the quality standards the company is known for — inspect incoming goods with care, catch issues early, and ensure every finished product meets spec
- Collaborate with Engineering on change requests and work closely with other department heads to align production with broader company goals
Manage the Business Side of the Shop
- Keep accurate records across jobs, work orders, sales orders, inventory, and engineering change requests
- Provide timely, accurate data to the Financial Department and participate actively in physical inventory counts
- Manage tool and equipment procurement within company policy
WHAT YOU BRING
- Proven supervisory experience in heavy industry, ideally with direct exposure to steel fabrication
- Working knowledge of industrial production processes including welding, equipment assembly, machining tolerances, maintenance, and safety
- Strong leadership presence — you know how to motivate a team, hold people accountable, and get results
- Experience tracking and reporting on key production metrics
- Proficiency in MS Office; experience with Syspro or similar ERP/accounting software is a strong plus
- Ability to read and interpret detailed manufacturing drawings
- Clear, confident communicator — both written and verbal
- Detail-oriented, results-driven, and decisive under pressure
WHY THIS ROLE STANDS OUT
? Real authority from day one — You'll have the trust of upper management to lead the department your way, within company guidelines.
? Established company, stable foundation — Join a company with deep roots in the industry and a loyal customer base — not a startup figuring it out.
? Competitive, experience-based pay — $90,000–$95,000 DOE. Your experience is recognized and rewarded.
? Cross-functional visibility — You'll work directly with Finance, Sales, Engineering, HR, and Safety — a true seat at the table.
INTERESTED? LET'S TALK.
This search is being conducted confidentially by Agility Recruiting. Please submit your resume and we will be in touch promptly.