Steel Fabrication Production Manager / Manufacturing Operations Manager

Ellis Fabrications Inc. and GroundWorks Safety Systems design and manufacture premium construction equipment attachments and engineered trench safety systems used on infrastructure projects across North America. We have a mission to bring the highest quality products to market and change the trench safety & construction industry on a global scale. Operating from our 74,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Innisfail, Alberta, we are seeking a experienced Production Manager /Manufacturing Operations Manager to lead our steel manufacturing operations. This is a hands-on leadership role focused on building a predictable, efficient, and scalable operation.

Key Responsibilities

Manufacturing Leadership & Team Development

Lead daily manufacturing operations and establish clear priorities across all production departments.

Build robust department leadership by coaching team leads to create a culture of ownership and continuous improvement.

Collaborate with design, purchasing, sales, and ownership to achieve production goals.

Oversee hiring, training, and performance development, setting clear expectations for safety, quality, productivity, and communication.

Production Planning & Scheduling

Own the production schedule from job release through completion, balancing labor capacity, equipment availability, material requirements, and customer deadlines.

Implement effective scheduling systems and tracking methods, leading daily and weekly planning meetings.

Proactively identify and resolve bottlenecks before they impact delivery commitments.

Process Improvement & Quality

Develop and standardize manufacturing processes to improve workflow between all production stages.





Establish measurable production KPIs to monitor performance.

Drive initiatives to reduce waste, downtime, and rework.

Qualifications

Required Experience

10+ years of manufacturing experience, with 5+ years in a production leadership role.

Experience managing multi-department manufacturing operations, particularly in heavy fabrication or industrial equipment.

Proven track record in production scheduling, capacity planning, and leading continuous improvement initiatives.

Strong mechanical troubleshooting skills with hands-on problem-solving skills

Preferred Experience

Post-secondary degree/diploma, preferably in industrial technology or engineering, business administration, or management

Background in steel fabrication, welding, machining, and hydraulics

Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems and Lean manufacturing principles.

Experience scaling operations in a growing company.

Proven track record of operational improvements through employee engagement and demonstrated team building talent

Excellent time management, planning, and organizational skills

Proficient in MS Office

Ideal Candidate Profile

Thinks in systems and creates structure, moving beyond just solving daily problems.

Builds and empowers leaders

Highly organized, proactive, and data-driven with a successful history of improving manufacturing performance.

Process-oriented mindset with a focus on accountability, and operational efficiency

Benefits

Opportunities for professional growth and development.

A dynamic and collaborative work environment.

The chance to make a significant impact in the industry

Pay: $80,000.00-$150,000.00 per year

Benefits:

- Extended health care
- On-site parking

Work Location: In person

📌 Steel Fabrication Production/ Operations Manager (Canada)
🏢 Ellis Fabrications
📍 Canada