Fabrication Works/Operations Manager

Job type:Permanent
Town/City:Leeds
Salary/Rate:£55,000 – £60,000 (dependent on experience) salary plus benefits
Job Category:Engineering
Job ref:6687
Post Date:15.07.26
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Meet Our Author

Jess Heywood
Jess Heywood
Director & Specialist Recruiter

About the Role

Are you a hands-on fabrication leader ready to take full ownership of a workshop and its commercial performance?

We're recruiting on behalf of a well-established specialist in structural and architectural metalwork, supplying high-quality fabricated steelwork to the construction industry across the UK. The business has a strong reputation with long-standing clients and is entering an exciting phase of growth - and they need a Works/Operations Manager to drive it.

This is a genuine "run the business" role with pathway to general manager for the right person. You'll lead a small, close-knit workshop team while owning the P&L, managing client relationships, estimating new works, and shaping the site's long-term direction.


The Role

  • Day-to-day management of the fabrication workshop, delivering projects to time, budget, and quality
  • Manage production schedules, allocate resources, and oversee quality control
  • Line management of a small team (currently 5 workshop operatives and 1 administrator), including motivation, performance, training, and development
  • Act as the primary point of contact for existing and new clients, building relationships and generating repeat business
  • Lead on estimating and quoting for new works, supported by group colleagues where needed
  • Full ownership of P&L, with responsibility for strategic planning and business development
  • Work closely with the group finance team on monthly reporting, invoicing, and financial controls
  • Lead the integration of the group's accounting and project management systems into the business


What You'll Need

  • Solid steel fabrication knowledge, with a practical understanding of fabrication processes and standards
  • Previous supervisory or management experience in a workshop or engineering environment
  • Estimating experience, including preparation of quotations and commercial offers
  • Strong customer relationship management skills, with a professional and proactive approach
  • Experience implementing new IT or accounting systems into small businesses, with the ability to bring others along with the change
  • Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to manage, motivate, and develop small teams
  • Strong commercial acumen - a real understanding of costs, margins, and financial controls
  • A self-starter mindset: able to work independently, manage competing priorities, and drive improvement


What's On Offer

  • £55,000 – £60,000 (dependent on experience)
  • 25 days + Bank Holidays
  • Enhanced pension scheme 
  • Health Cash Plan 
  • Progression and development opportunities 
  • World Class CPD 


This is a rare opportunity to step into a role with genuine autonomy - leading a respected fabrication business day-to-day with the backing and resources of a larger engineering group behind you.

Interested? Apply now or get in touch for a confidential conversation.

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Fabrication Works/Operations Manager

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Are you a hands-on fabrication leader ready to take full ownership of a workshop and its commercial performance? We're recruiting on behalf of a well-established specialist in structural and architectural metalwork, supplying high-quality fabricated steelwork to the construction industry across the UK. The business has a strong reputation with long-standing clients and is entering an exciting phase of growth - and they need a Works/Operations Manager to drive it. This is a genuine "run the business" role with pathway to general manager for the right person. You'll lead a small, close-knit workshop team while owning the P&L, managing client relationships, estimating new works, and shaping the site's long-term direction. The Role Day-to-day management of the fabrication workshop, delivering projects to time, budget, and quality Manage production schedules, allocate resources, and oversee quality control Line management of a small team (currently 5 workshop operatives and 1 administrator), including motivation, performance, training, and development Act as the primary point of contact for existing and new clients, building relationships and generating repeat business Lead on estimating and quoting for new works, supported by group colleagues where needed Full ownership of P&L, with responsibility for strategic planning and business development Work closely with the group finance team on monthly reporting, invoicing, and financial controls Lead the integration of the group's accounting and project management systems into the business What You'll Need Solid steel fabrication knowledge, with a practical understanding of fabrication processes and standards Previous supervisory or management experience in a workshop or engineering environment Estimating experience, including preparation of quotations and commercial offers Strong customer relationship management skills, with a professional and proactive approach Experience implementing new IT or accounting systems into small businesses, with the ability to bring others along with the change Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to manage, motivate, and develop small teams Strong commercial acumen - a real understanding of costs, margins, and financial controls A self-starter mindset: able to work independently, manage competing priorities, and drive improvement What's On Offer £55,000 – £60,000 (dependent on experience) 25 days + Bank Holidays Enhanced pension scheme  Health Cash Plan  Progression and development opportunities  World Class CPD  This is a rare opportunity to step into a role with genuine autonomy - leading a respected fabrication business day-to-day with the backing and resources of a larger engineering group behind you. Interested? Apply now or get in touch for a confidential conversation.

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