MANUFACTURING MANAGER Heavy Industry | Steel Fabrication | Stockton, CA Salary: $90,000 – $95,000 DOE | Full-Time | Direct Hire | On-Site

THE OPPORTUNITY

This is a rare chance to step into a key leadership role at an established and growing heavy-industry manufacturer in the Central Valley. As Manufacturing Manager, you will own the production floor — driving efficiency, quality, and safety while leading a skilled team of craftspeople. Reporting directly to the President/General Manager, you'll have the authority and trust to shape how the department runs, and your fingerprints will be on every unit that ships out the door.

If you're a hands-on leader with deep roots in steel fabrication or heavy manufacturing and a track record of building high-performing teams, this role was written for you.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Lead Production & Manufacturing Operations

• Own the end-to-end manufacturing process — from scheduling and workflow management to on-time, on-budget delivery of all new, used, and refurbished components and complete machines
• Develop and maintain production schedules that keep your team productive and customers happy
• Continuously identify and implement process improvements to increase throughput and reduce waste

Champion Safety & Compliance

• Foster a safety-first culture — lead by example, enforce best practices, and ensure full compliance with OSHA, Cal-OSHA, and CERS requirements
• Keep all equipment, tools, and lifting devices in safe, proper working order and ensure your team is trained to use them correctly

Develop & Empower Your Team

• Hire, train, and cross-train production staff to build a versatile, high-performing workforce
• Set clear expectations, provide ongoing coaching, and keep your team engaged and accountable to production goals

Drive Quality Control

• Maintain the quality standards the company is known for — inspect incoming goods with care, catch issues early, and ensure every finished product meets spec
• Collaborate with Engineering on change requests and work closely with other department heads to align production with broader company goals

Manage the Business Side of the Shop

• Keep accurate records across jobs, work orders, sales orders, inventory, and engineering change requests
• Provide timely, accurate data to the Financial Department and participate actively in physical inventory counts
• Manage tool and equipment procurement within company policy

WHAT YOU BRING

• Proven supervisory experience in heavy industry, ideally with direct exposure to steel fabrication
• Working knowledge of industrial production processes including welding, equipment assembly, machining tolerances, maintenance, and safety
• Strong leadership presence — you know how to motivate a team, hold people accountable, and get results
• Experience tracking and reporting on key production metrics
• Proficiency in MS Office; experience with Syspro or similar ERP/accounting software is a strong plus
• Ability to read and interpret detailed manufacturing drawings
• Clear, confident communicator — both written and verbal
• Detail-oriented, results-driven, and decisive under pressure

WHY THIS ROLE STANDS OUT

? Real authority from day one — You'll have the trust of upper management to lead the department your way, within company guidelines.

? Established company, stable foundation — Join a company with deep roots in the industry and a loyal customer base — not a startup figuring it out.

? Competitive, experience-based pay — $90,000–$95,000 DOE. Your experience is recognized and rewarded.

? Cross-functional visibility — You'll work directly with Finance, Sales, Engineering, HR, and Safety — a true seat at the table.

INTERESTED? LET'S TALK.

This search is being conducted confidentially by Agility Recruiting. Please submit your resume and we will be in touch promptly.