To meet the basic qualification for this role, you will have five years of experience managing a fabrication or assembly manufacturing team. In addition, to be a good fit for the Fabrication Manager opportunity, you will have:

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or 4-year technical degree, or equivalent experience
• 5-7+ years’ experience managing a fabrication or assembly manufacturing team and function, ideally in a heavy fabrication, high volume, high mix manufacturing environment  Quick question for you - click here
• A Lean mindset with 3-5 years of continuous improvement experience highly preferred  Quick question for you - click here
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of continuous improvement tools and lean six sigma methodology
• Proven project management skills
• Experience with first operations, milling and welding equipment
• Strong scheduling and reporting skills
• Strong computer skills including:
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs
  • Basic AutoCAD knowledge
  • Experience with ERP software
• Excellent leadership, interpersonal and communication skills; proven ability to manage, develop and motivate others
• Ability to effectively communicate at different levels within the organization
• Strong analytical and root cause / problem-solving skills
• Ability to read and understand technical information

Note: As an essential business, we have strong protocols in place protecting our employees and safeguarding their health. 

Pictured: Utilimaster's Velocity F-Series offers big-truck interior space without requiring a commercial driver's license -- thus expanding the pool of potential drivers for fleet operators. You will see these vehicles on the road and be able to tell friends and family, "I'm part of the team that builds those."

If you combine proven success leading a metal fabrication or heavy assembly team with a continuous improvement mindset and the ability to develop a multi-shift fabrication operation within a high-growth vehicle manufacturing facility, the role of Fabrication Manager with Utilimaster offers you some compelling opportunities. You will:

• Play an integral, strategic new role in a fast-growing facility and company. The Bristol plant has quadrupled the size of its team over the past five years, and we expect our strong growth to continue.
• Join us as we undergo exciting changes. You will be key in designing and expanding fabrication operations, including researching and ordering equipment, writing and managing Capex projects, and being onsite to oversee installations.
• Make a strong impact as you implement Lean initiatives and continuous improvements, and manage and develop a skilled, multi-shift Fabrication team.
• Leverage the full range of your skills and experience while also adding to your experience through our unique operations. While we have a high-level plan in place, we'll also be able to build milestones tailored to your talents and needs of the team. 
• Enjoy the stability and resources of an industry leader. As other companies are contracting, we're growing. 

Utilimaster moves ahead of the competition when commercial trucks and upfit services require precision, planning, peerless people, and the perfect vehicle. Our vehicles deliver for well-respected global brands in the package delivery, ecommerce, food and beverage, linen and laundry, grocery and pharmaceutical markets. Utilimaster is a top-tier go-to-market brand of The Shyft Group (NASDAQ: SHYF), North America's leader in specialty vehicle manufacturing, assembly, and upfit for the commercial, retail, and service specialty vehicle markets. The Shyft Group rebranded in 2020 to reflect a new focus on high-growth end markets to help ensure long-term profitable growth.

Reporting to the Director of Materials & Fabrication, as Fabrication Manager, you will manage a three-shift Fabrication team, including three supervisors, who will report directly to you, and approximately 38 indirect team members, including leads, machine operators and material handlers. You will oversee all Fabrication department-related activities and be responsible for ensuring a safety-first culture, and for ensuring that all manufacturing functions are performed in a manner consistent with established procedures and in line with KPIs.

You will be essential in driving change. The department is a key area of focus and we have a good deal of new equipment, both manual and automatic (e.g. tool planes, fiber lasers, brake presses, heart shaping, milling and other machines), and new processes to accommodate our strong growth. You will continue to build on that momentum, leveraging lean principles to chase waste and drive transparency. As a leader, you'll both motivate and manage, ensuring quality and accountability while also empowering team members to own their roles and excel. 

Specifically, you will:

• Continually research and implement equipment opportunities that improve safety, productivity, and reduce cost.
• Pursue product modifications that streamline manufacturing, reduce costs, improve quality and service.
• Identify research and development project opportunities and develop and execute an actionable project plan for new products or improved fabrication methods.
• Oversee and coordinate Continuous Improvement activities by creating a project plan and providing guidance and direction on how the team should execute the plan.
• Drive standardization and best practices throughout the manufacturing and assembly processes.
• Conduct quality checks of finished goods through outlined audit process.
• Identify safety improvement initiatives by conducting ergonomic assessments.
• Conduct onsite process training for new fabrication leaders.
• Support budget planning and review.
• Support and initiate the capital planning and spending process for fabrication operations.
• Work with Engineering and Procurement to design and source equipment.
• Develop and drive KPIs utilizing CI tools to hold the team accountable.
• And more

You will primarily work a day shift but will flex your hours as needed to have a presence across all three shifts.

Note: This description is intended to give you a general overview of the position and is not an exhaustive listing of duties and responsibilities.

Professional development
The Shyft Group and Utilimaster are committed to the professional development of our team. Though this role could keep you challenged and engaged for years to come, you won't be siloed and can pursue advancement opportunities in Bristol or at other Utilimaster plants.

Stability and growth
The Shyft Group is financially sound and will continue to be an aggressive market disrupter through strategic acquisitions, relevant product innovations, and aggressive growth models that serve strong and growing end markets. Be assured, our accelerated growth trajectory will create opportunities for strong performers.

Focused transformation
Utilimaster, alongside The Shyft Group's family of well-respected brands, continues to lead in every segment in which they compete. The Shyft name represents speed, efficiency, agility, and a high-intensity approach, which corresponds with the company's pivot in market focus and the forward momentum garnered in the work truck, specialty service, and delivery vehicle markets.

Driven to deliver
Ever evolving and advancing, The Shyft Group is driven to make an impactful difference in how effectively goods, people, and services are delivered in today's and tomorrow's marketplace. Through our unmatched industry knowledge, engineering expertise, and manufacturing reach, we continue to deliver job-enhancing, efficiency-driving, ever-reliable products and services made for the road ahead.

Excellent compensation
In addition to a competitive salary, we offer medical, dental, vision, and prescription insurance plans; a health savings account; a flexible savings account; wellness credits; a wellness program; a 401(k) plan with a corporate match; an employee stock purchase program and more.

While you'll have some tactical responsibilities, this is a strategic role. We're looking for a leader who does a good deal of Lean thinking; someone who maintains a continuous improvement mindset and can build a visual Lean workplace and establish metrics.

We understand that there will be a learning curve as you come up to speed on our products and operation, but with your experience and expertise, you should be able to start making an impact in short order. In our fast-paced environment, you will need to be versatile and flexible, and able to pivot quickly to manage change effectively. 

In addition, in order to be an outstanding Fabrication Manager  you will:

• Pay attention to details but in relation to the big picture
• Remain open to learning and advancing your skills on an ongoing basis
• Combine analytical savvy and creativity in solving problems
• Achieve individual goals autonomously and also contribute as a team player and partner to your supervisor