Shop Manager / Quality Control – Structural Steel & Custom Fabrication

Oskam Welding & Machine Ltd.
Guelph, Ontario | Full-Time | Management Position

Position Summary

Oskam Welding & Machine Ltd. is seeking an experienced Shop Manager / Quality Control professional to lead the day-to-day operations of our structural steel and custom fabrication shop while overseeing quality control throughout the fabrication process.

This is a management-level, hands-on leadership role with responsibility for shop personnel, production workflow, scheduling, productivity, quality and continuous improvement. The successful candidate will provide leadership and direction to shop employees while ensuring projects are completed safely, efficiently, on schedule and in accordance with drawings, specifications and customer requirements.

Working closely with Project Managers, Project Coordinators and senior management, the Shop Manager / Quality Control will serve as a key link between the office and shop, ensuring production priorities are clearly communicated and that potential issues are identified and addressed before they affect project schedules, costs or quality.

Management & Shop Operations

- Manage the day-to-day operations of the fabrication shop and provide leadership and direction to shop employees.
- Plan, prioritize and assign work based on project schedules, production requirements and available resources.
- Coordinate daily and weekly production priorities with Project Managers and Project Coordinators.
- Manage shop manpower and recommend staffing, overtime and resource requirements based on workload.
- Monitor production progress, productivity and labour hours to ensure work is progressing according to schedule and budget.
- Identify production delays, bottlenecks and inefficiencies and take appropriate action to keep projects moving.
- Review fabrication drawings, shop drawings, specifications and work instructions to ensure production requirements are understood.
- Ensure employees have the correct drawings, materials, equipment and information required to complete their work.
- Coordinate workflow between fitting, welding, cutting, machining and other fabrication processes.
- Provide technical direction and support to shop employees.
- Communicate production status, concerns and upcoming requirements to the project and management teams.
- Participate in production planning and provide input into project schedules and shop capacity.
- Work with management to identify and implement improvements to shop workflow, productivity and overall operations.

Employee Leadership & Performance

- Provide day-to-day leadership, coaching and direction to shop employees.
- Set clear expectations for productivity, workmanship, safety and workplace conduct.
- Monitor employee performance, attendance and punctuality.
- Provide feedback and coaching and address performance concerns when required.
- Participate in employee performance reviews and disciplinary processes with senior management.
- Assist with hiring, onboarding and training new shop employees.
- Identify training and development needs within the shop.
- Promote accountability, teamwork and a professional work environment.




- Lead regular shop meetings and communicate company and project priorities to employees.

Quality Control

- Oversee quality control throughout the fabrication process, with an emphasis on identifying issues before they progress to subsequent stages of production.
- Ensure fabricated components and assemblies comply with approved drawings, specifications and customer requirements.
- Perform and/or oversee dimensional, fit-up, visual weld and final inspections as required.
- Ensure employees are working from current approved drawings and revisions.
- Identify non-conforming work and ensure deficiencies are documented, communicated and corrected.
- Coordinate corrective actions and rework with shop employees and the project team.
- Maintain required inspection records and quality documentation.
- Ensure material identification and traceability requirements are followed where applicable.
- Coordinate customer and third-party inspections when required.
- Review recurring quality issues, identify root causes and implement corrective actions to reduce rework.
- Work with Project Managers and Project Coordinators to address customer quality requirements and concerns.
- Promote consistent quality standards and accountability throughout the shop.
- Support continuous improvement of Oskam's quality processes and procedures.

Health & Safety

- Promote and enforce safe work practices and company health and safety policies.
- Ensure employees follow required procedures and use appropriate personal protective equipment.
- Identify and address unsafe conditions or work practices.
- Participate in safety meetings, training and incident investigations as required.
- Work with management to continuously improve shop safety and housekeeping.

Qualifications & Experience

- Extensive experience in structural steel, welding and/or custom metal fabrication.
- Previous experience in a Shop Manager, Shop Foreman, Production Supervisor, Lead Hand, Quality Control or similar leadership role is strongly preferred.
- Strong knowledge of structural steel fabrication processes and shop practices.
- Strong ability to read and interpret fabrication drawings, shop drawings and specifications.
- Strong understanding of fitting, welding, cutting and general fabrication processes.
- Experience with quality control and inspection in a fabrication environment.
- Demonstrated ability to lead employees, manage workflow and establish production priorities.
- Strong leadership, communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to hold employees accountable while maintaining a positive and productive work environment.
- Strong organizational, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
- Ability to identify production and quality issues and take appropriate corrective action.




- Good documentation and record-keeping skills.
- Comfortable using computers and production/job-management systems.
- Strong understanding of workplace health and safety requirements.
- Valid Ontario driver's license.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for an experienced fabrication professional who is ready to take ownership of people, production and quality.

The successful candidate will be a hands-on manager who understands the realities of a fabrication shop but is also capable of looking at the bigger picture—production schedules, labour efficiency, quality, project requirements and employee performance.

This individual should be comfortable making decisions, setting expectations and holding employees accountable while working collaboratively with Oskam's Project Managers, Project Coordinators and senior management.

Key Measures of Success

Success in this role will be measured by the ability to maintain an organized and productive shop, meet project schedules, manage labour effectively, reduce errors and rework, maintain quality and safety standards, and develop a strong, accountable shop team.

About Oskam Welding & Machine Ltd.

OSKAM Welding & Machine Ltd. has earned a reputation as an industry leader in structural steel and custom metal fabrication. We have over 60 years of experience in several industries and thousands of superior custom-built metal projects. We attribute our success to our incredible team and dedication to outstanding service. We strive to be the best in our industry, and we're committed to complete customer satisfaction.

We are looking for candidates who are highly motivated, eager to learn, detail-orientated, and a team players.

A Outstanding Place to Work

Come work for Oskam and enjoy all the benefits we have to offer including competitive wages, excellent benefits, team collaboration, great work-life balance, and a friendly working environment.

Why Choose Us

- Straight day shift
- Competitive salary
- Excellent benefits
- Team collaboration
- Great work-life balance
- Friendly work environment
- Non-union environment in a mid-size company – you are not a number here!
- Great location, close to the 401

Benefits

- Dentalcare
- Vision Care
- Extended Health Care
- Health Spending Account
- Teledoc
- EFAP (Employee and Family Assistance Program)
- Life Insurance
- Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance
- AD&D;
- Group RRSP and employer matching program
- Safey Footwear Subsidy Program

We would like to thank all that apply; only those that are chosen to be a part of our recruiting process will be contacted.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: $80,000.00-$96,500.00 per year

Benefits:

- Casual dress
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
- Vision care

Application question(s):

- Are you located within a 50km distance of Guelph, Ontario?

Experience:

- Welding: 2 years (required)
- Fitting: 2 years (required)
- Supervisor: 2 years (required)

Language:

- English (required)

Licence/Certification:

- CWB certification (preferred)

Work Location: In person

📌 Shop Manager / Quality Control – Structural Steel & Custom Fabrication - Fitter Welder Exp. Required (Guelph)
🏢 Oskam Welding & Machine
📍 Guelph