Welding Shop Manager is a responsible person who oversees the daily operations of a welding shop or fabrication facility. They primarily ensure safety/quality standards, manage the workforce, manage resources, and maintain production efficiency. Welding shop managers play a crucial role in various industries. They ensure all welding/fabrication processes meet project requirements and industry standards. Success in this role depends on various factors such as education, skills, experience, certification, etc. So, let us dive into the details of the welding shop manager job description.
Post Highlights:
- Position Levels
- Education Level
- Course Types
- Certification/License
- Work Experience
- Duties/Responsibilities
- Equipment Types
- Abilities/Skills
- Work Environment
- Physical Demands
- Resume Format
- Top Industries
- Job Types
- Salary Information
- Benefits/Perks
Position Levels
Some common job levels include-
- Welding Supervisor or Lead Welder
- Welding Shop Manager
- Welding Production Manager
- Welding Operations Manager
- Welding Plant Manager
- Director (welding operations)
- Vice President (manufacturing/operations)
Education Level
Some common education levels include-
- High School Diploma or Equivalent
- Associate’s Degree or Technical Diploma (Welding Technology, Metal Fabrication)
- Bachelor’s Degree in Welding Engineering, Industrial Management, or Business Administration (Optional)
- Relevant AWS/ASME Welding Certifications
Course Types
Some common course types include-
- Budgeting/Resource Management Course
- Communication/Interpersonal Skills Course
- Continuous Improvement/Lean Manufacturing Course
- Legal/Regulatory Compliance Course
- Management/Leadership Course
- Materials Science Course
- Metal Fabrication Course
- Professional Development/Certification Course
- Project Management Course
- Quality Control/Inspection Course
- Safety/Occupational Health Course
- Welding Certification Preparation Course
- Welding Equipment Maintenance Course
- Welding Shop Software/Technology Course
- Welding Technology Course
Certification/License
Some common certification types include-
- Certified Welding Educator (CWE) by AWS
- Certified Welding Engineer (CWE) by AWS
- Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) by AWS
- Certified Welding Manager (CWM) by AWS
- Certified Welding Supervisor (CWS) by AWS
- Certified Welding Sales Representative (CWSR) by AWS
- Business and Management Certifications
- Certified Manager (CM) by ICPM
- Certified Manufacturing Technologist (CMfgT) by SME
- Certified Safety Professional (CSP) by BCSP
- Lean Six Sigma Certification
- OSHA) Certification
- Project Management Professional (PMP) by PMI
- Certified Professional in Management (CPM)
- Certified Manager (CM)
Work Experience
Some common experience types include-
- Budgeting/Resource Management Experience
- Continuous Improvement Experience
- Cross-Functional Experience
- Customer Relations Experience
- Equipment Maintenance/Repair Experience
- Inventory Management Experience
- Leadership/Communication Experience
- Problem-Solving Experience
- Project Management Experience
- Quality Control/Inspection Experience
- Regulatory Compliance Experience
- Safety Experience
- Supervisory Experience
- Training/Development Experience
- Welding Experience
Duties/Responsibilities
Some common duties include-
- Address customer inquiries/concerns
- Address operational challenges
- Collaborate with customers/project managers
- Conduct inspections/address quality issues
- Conduct safety training, and ensure regulatory compliance
- Develop, implement, and enforce safety protocols
- Develop/implement emergency response plans
- Develop/manage budgets for the welding shop
- Ensure the welding shop adheres to all relevant industry standards
- Establish/maintain quality control procedures
- Foster a positive/productive work environment
- Generate regular reports on shop performance
- Identify opportunities for process improvement
- Implement environmentally responsible practices
- Keep abreast of regulatory changes/updates
- Maintain accurate records of production/inventory
- Maintain adequate inventory to support ongoing operations
- Manage customer billing/invoicing processes
- Manage resources to optimize production efficiency
- Manage/lead a team of welders/fabricators
- Monitor progress, and identify bottlenecks
- Oversee relationships with vendors/suppliers
- Oversee the maintenance of welding equipment
- Plan/schedule production orders
- Stay current with welding technology
- Train/develop welding staff
Equipment Types
Some common equipment types include-
- Cutting Equipment
- Cutting/Grinding Wheels
- Fume Extractors
- Grinding/Deburring Tools
- Material Handling Equipment
- Measurement/Inspection Tools
- Pneumatic/Hydraulic Tools
- Safety Equipment (PPE)
- Welding Consumables
- Welding Curtains/Screens
- Welding Gas Cylinders
- Welding Inspection Equipment
- Welding Machines (Mig, Tig, Stick)
- Welding Positioners/Turntables
- Welding Positioning Fixtures
- Welding Power Sources
- Welding Safety Signage
- Welding Software/Management Tools
- Welding Tables/Workstations
- Welding Torches/Guns
Abilities/Skills
Some key skills include-
- Budgeting/financial management skills
- Business acumen
- Communication skills
- Continuous improvement ability
- Environmental responsibility
- Equipment maintenance knowledge
- Organizational skills
- Industry regulatory compliance
- Inventory management skills
- Leadership/team management skills
- Legal/ethical awareness
- Problem-solving abilities
- Production scheduling capability
- Project management skills
- Quality control skills
- Resource management skills
- Safety regulation knowledge
- Technology proficiency
- Time management skills
- Training/development capability
- Welding expertise (processes)
- Work adaptability
Work Environment
Some general working conditions include-
- Exposure to climate variations
- Frequent team interactions
- May be exposed to high levels of noise
- May expose to potential safety hazards
- May need to travel to company locations
- May need to wear personal protective equipment (PPE)
- May need to work in flexible hours
- May need to work in various environments
- May require occasional physical activity
- Need to maintain a presence on the shop floor
- Responsible for supervising a team
- Significantly handle office and paperwork
- Wear proper hearing protection
Physical Demands
Some common physical demands include-
- Exposure to varying weather conditions
- May need good manual dexterity
- May need to bend or stoop
- May need to climb ladders/elevated platforms
- May need to reach/stretch to access the equipment
- May need to walk/stand for extended periods
- May need to wear personal protective equipment (PPE)
- May occasionally need to lift/carry lightweight items
Resume Format
A suggested format includes-
Contact Information
- Your Full Name
- Phone Number
- Email Address
- Location (city and state)
Summary/Objective (Optional)
- Add a well-crafted brief summary
- Provide an overview of your qualifications, experience, and career goals
Professional Experience
- List your work experience (most recent job first)
- This includes the following for each position-
Job title
Company/organization name
Location (city and state)
Employment dates (month/year)
Key responsibilities/achievements
Education
- List your educational background (most recent degree)
- They should include the following-
Degree earned
Name of the institution
Location (city and state)
Graduation date (month/year)
Relevant coursework/academic achievements (optional)
Certifications
- Mention any relevant certifications/licenses
Skills
- Highlight your key skills and competencies
- Include both technical skills/soft skills
Professional Memberships (Optional)
- Mention any industry-related organizational or association membership
Honors/Awards (Optional)
- Include any work-related honors or awards
Publications/Presentations (Optional)
- Include any published articles or presented on welding-related topics (if have any)
References (Optional)
- Generally, not necessary (available upon request)
Resume Formatting Tips
- Emphasize on most relevant skills/experience
- Keep your resume concise (1-2 pages)
- Proofread your resume (no grammatical errors)
- Quantify your achievements
- Tailor your resume to the specific job
- Use a clean font (11-12 points)
- Use action verbs to begin each bullet point
Top Industries
Some common employment areas include-
- Aerospace/Aviation Industry
- Agriculture Manufacturing Facilities
- Automotive Industry
- Construction Equipment/Machinery Repair Departments
- Construction/Infrastructure Companies
- Custom Welding/Fabrication Businesses
- Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing Businesses
- Heavy Equipment Manufacturing Units
- Manufacturing Companies
- Metal Fabrication Shops
- Military/Defense Sector
- Oil and Gas Industry
- Power Plants/Utilities
- Research/Development Facilities
- Shipbuilding/Maritime Industry
- Steel/Iron Production Industries
- Welding/Metalworking Schools
Job Types
Some common job types include-
- Business Owner
- Departmental Head (welding operation)
- Fabrication Shop Manager
- Field Service Manager
- Lead Welding Supervisor
- Maintenance Manager
- Manufacturing Manager
- Plant Manager
- Production Manager
- Project Manager (welding projects)
- Quality Control Manager
- Safety Manager
- Shop Foreman
- Site Manager
- Welding Operations Manager
- Welding Shop Manager
- Welding Training Manager
Salary Information
The average hourly wage of a Welding Shop Manager in the United States is $30. But factors like education, certification, skills, experience, location, labor demand, and employer type affect salary trends.
However, the approximate salary figures for Welding Shop Managers include.
Hourly Wage
- Entry-Level – $20 to $30
- Mid-Career – $30 to $45
- Experienced – $45 to $60 or more
Monthly Salary
- Entry-Level – $3,500 to $5,000
- Mid-Career – $5,000 to $7,500
- Experienced – $7,500 to $10,000 or more
Yearly Salary
- Entry-Level – $42,000 to $60,000
- Mid-Career – $60,000 to $90,000
- Experienced – $90,000 to $120,000 or more
These salary figures are just estimates and can vary from place to place depending on various local factors and market trends. Additionally, sectors like aerospace or oil and gas often offer higher salaries.
Benefits/Perks
Some common benefits include-
- Bonuses/Incentives
- Company Stock Options
- Company Vehicle Provision
- Company-sponsored Events Participation
- Educational Assistance
- Employee Assistance Programs
- Employee Discounts
- Flexible Work Schedules
- Health Insurance
- Health/Wellness Programs
- Life/Disability Insurance
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Professional Development Support
- Profit-Sharing Programs
- Recognition/Awards
- Relocation Assistance
- Retirement Plans (401k)
- Safety Gear/Equipment Provision
- Travel Opportunities
- Uniform/Clothing Allowance
Summary
Welding Shop Managers play a crucial role in overseeing the safe operation of welding and fabrication facilities. They require a combination of leadership skills, technical knowledge, and managerial proficiency. Welding shop managers supervise a welding team and ensure quality by scheduling production and maintaining equipment. They have a bright future in various industries, including construction, manufacturing, and aerospace. Welding shop managers various job benefits, and perks along with competitive salaries. Overall, the career of a welding shop manager is pivotal for the complete management of a welding shop or facility.
