Weld Shop Lead

For over four decades, Big Top has manufactured and installed high-performance fabric structures in the United States, delivering American-made quality, innovation, and reliability. We don’t just build shelters - we engineer solutions that optimize operations, safeguard assets, and provide a competitive edge for companies worldwide. With the support and financial backing of Altamont Capital Partners, we are in an exciting phase of growth, expansion, and innovation.

FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt

Supervisory Responsibilities: Assists the Production Manager with the supervision all employees in the welding department. Responsibilities include interview support, onboarding, training, coaching, work assignment, performance management, corrective action, employee development, and accountability practices in partnership with Human Resources and plant leadership.

Job Summary: The Weld Shop Lead serves as the primary point of contact for daily weld shop activities and helps ensure work is completed safely, efficiently, and to quality standards. This role assists with coordinating workflow, communicating priorities, training and supporting team members, and escalating issues as needed. The Weld Shop Lead works closely with management to support production objectives while fostering teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement within the department.

This position reports directly to the Production Manager.

Supports safe, quality, and productive welding operations by helping the team meet daily production goals.

Assists in coordinating the work of Welder I, Welder II, and Welder III employees by communicating priorities, assigning tasks, and providing day-to-day guidance.

Helps organize labor, equipment, materials, and workflow to support production schedules and customer requirements.

Reviews drawings, work orders, specifications, and related documentation to help ensure work is completed according to requirements.

Promotes safe work practices by reinforcing PPE requirements, equipment safety rules, and established procedures.

Monitors work quality and assists with inspections, issue resolution, and corrective actions to help maintain product standards.

Assists with training new employees and supporting skill development through on-the-job coaching and cross-training activities.

Provides feedback to management regarding employee performance, training needs, staffing concerns, and operational challenges.

Tracks and communicates production progress, department metrics, and workflow issues to management as needed.

Utilizes ERP and production systems for labor reporting, production tracking, and work order completion.

Helps maintain accurate production, labor, inventory, and quality records.

Supports compliance with established procedures, work instructions, and department standards.

Works with Quality, Safety, Engineering, and Operations personnel to address production concerns and implement process improvements.

Monitors welding equipment, tools, and fixtures and reports maintenance or repair needs to management.

Maintains records related to production, training, certifications, quality issues, and safety concerns as assigned.

Encourages teamwork, professionalism, and accountability while helping resolve routine employee concerns and production issues.

Participates in continuous improvement efforts aimed at enhancing safety, quality, efficiency, and overall shop performance.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Ability to provide day-to-day guidance and support to weld shop employees while promoting teamwork and accountability.

Good interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate work expectations, priorities, and feedback effectively.

Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Ability to read and interpret fabrication drawings, blueprints, work orders, specifications, and welding symbols.

Good problem‑solving skills and the ability to identify and communicate production, quality, or workflow concerns.

Organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple tasks in a manufacturing environment.

Working knowledge of steel fabrication processes, welding techniques, welding equipment, and shop safety practices.

Ability to prioritize work and adjust to changing production needs.

Familiarity with quality requirements and inspection processes related to welding and fabrication.

Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office applications and production reporting systems.

Ability to understand and follow…