Fabrication Supervisor

Sanmina Corporation (Nasdaq: SANM) is a global powerhouse in integrated manufacturing solutions serving the fastest growing segments of the global Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) market. We are a global engine providing the end-to-end manufacturing backbone for the world's most essential and innovative brands. Whether it's autonomous vehicles, life-saving medical tech, next-gen aerospace, or AI/cloud infrastructure - our integrated solutions don't just meet standards-they redefine them.

Fabrication Supervisor

Summary

The Fabrication Supervisor is responsible for the safe, efficient, and consistent execution of daily metal fabrication operations, including laser cutting, CNC punching, shearing, bending/forming, rolling, sawing, drilling, deburring, and related sheet-metal and plate fabrication processes.

The position provides direct shop-floor leadership for fabrication employees and ensures production schedules are achieved while meeting requirements for Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and Productivity (SQDCP).

The Fabrication Supervisor works closely with Production Planning, Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, Material Control, Welding, Painting, and Assembly to maintain continuous material flow and ensure fabricated components are delivered to downstream operations according to schedule and specification.

The role requires strong hands-on knowledge of steel sheet and plate fabrication, CNC equipment, drawings, tolerances, tooling, material handling, production scheduling, and Lean manufacturing principles.

What You'll Do

• Provide visible, hands-on leadership to establish and maintain a zero-incident safety culture within fabrication operations.
• Ensure employees comply with company EHS policies, OSHA requirements, machine guarding standards, lockout/tagout (LOTO), PPE requirements, and safe material-handling practices.
• Conduct daily safety observations, toolbox talks, pre-shift meetings, and workplace inspections.
• Identify unsafe conditions and behaviors and ensure corrective actions are implemented promptly.
• Ensure safe operation of laser cutters, CNC punching machines, press brakes, shears, saws, material-handling systems, cranes, forklifts, and other fabrication equipment.
• Participate in incident investigations, root-cause analysis, and implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
• Maintain organized work areas using 5S and visual-management standards.

• Supervise daily fabrication operations involving steel sheet, plate, structural components, tubing, and other metallic materials.
• Coordinate operations including: Fiber/CO laser cutting, CNC turret punching, Shearing, Press-brake bending and forming, Plate rolling/forming, Sawing and cutting, Drilling and machining-related secondary operations, Grinding and deburring, Hardware insertion and related fabrication processes
• Translate daily and weekly production schedules into clear priorities for operators and work cells.
• Assign labor, machines, tooling, and material according to production requirements.
• Monitor production throughout the shift and adjust resources to maintain schedule attainment.
• Ensure fabricated components are available to welding, painting, assembly, and other downstream operations according to production requirements.
• Identify and resolve production bottlenecks, material shortages, equipment constraints, and quality issues.
• Coordinate priorities with the Fabrication Coordinator and Operations Manager.

• Ensure laser cutting and CNC punching operations meet requirements for quality, productivity, machine utilization, and material yield.
• Monitor cutting performance, cycle times, nesting efficiency, scrap generation, and machine downtime.
• Work with Engineering and Programming personnel to improve nesting, cutting sequences, machine programs, and material utilization.
• Ensure correct programs, tooling, raw materials, and work instructions are being used.
• Support optimization of cutting parameters for different material grades, gauges, and thicknesses.
• Minimize sheet and plate scrap through disciplined material utilization and remnant management.

• Supervise press-brake and forming operations to ensure compliance with drawings and dimensional requirements.
• Ensure correct dies, punches, tooling, programs, bend sequences, and setup procedures are used.
• Support operators in resolving issues involving: Bend angles, Springback, Bend allowances, Flat-pattern dimensions, Material thickness variations, Tool selection, Part distortion, Dimensional tolerances
• Work with Engineering and Quality to resolve recurring forming issues and improve process capability.

• Ensure all fabrication operations comply with engineering drawings, specifications, work instructions, inspection plans, and customer requirements.
• Ensure operators understand critical dimensions, tolerances, material specifications, and workmanship standards.
• Promote quality at the source, ensuring operators verify their work before components move to downstream processes.
• Ensure proper use of measuring equipment including calipers, micrometers, height gauges, angle gauges, templates, and other inspection devices.
• Respond immediately to nonconforming material and production-quality issues.
• Participate in root-cause analysis using structured problem-solving methodologies such as 5 Why, Fishbone, Pareto, and DMAIC.
• Implement corrective actions and verify their effectiveness.
• Work with Quality and Engineering to reduce scrap, rework, defects, and Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ).

• Achieve established targets for: Safety, First-pass yield, Schedule attainment, On-time completion, Labor productivity, Machine utilization, OEE, Scrap and rework, Material utilization, Setup/changeover time, Downtime, Cost per unit
• Monitor actual production performance versus standard labor hours and production targets.
• Identify productivity losses and implement corrective actions.
• Reduce machine setup and changeover times using SMED and standardized-work principles.
• Improve machine loading and labor utilization while maintaining safety and quality.
• Support overtime control and efficient staffing based on production demand.

• Lead shop-floor continuous-improvement activities focused on safety, quality, productivity, flow, and cost.
• Apply Lean manufacturing principles including: 5S, Standard Work, Visual Management, Gemba, Kaizen, SMED, Waste elimination, Cellular manufacturing, One-piece/continuous flow where applicable
• Participate in value-stream improvement projects and fabrication-layout optimization.
• Identify opportunities for automation, tooling improvements, material-flow improvements, and process simplification.
• Work with Process Engineering and Industrial Automation Engineering to improve equipment performance and manufacturing efficiency.
• Encourage operators to identify improvement opportunities and participate in problem solving.

• Ensure operators complete required daily equipment inspections and autonomous-maintenance activities.
• Monitor equipment condition and escalate abnormalities before they result in major downtime.
• Coordinate planned and corrective maintenance activities with the Maintenance organization.
• Support troubleshooting of fabrication equipment in collaboration with Mechanical, Electrical/Electronic, Automation, and Equipment Performance personnel.
• Track recurring equipment failures and participate in root-cause investigations.
• Coordinate maintenance activities to minimize production disruption.
• Ensure tooling is properly maintained, stored, inspected, and replaced as required.

• Maintain effective material flow from raw sheet/plate inventory through fabrication and downstream manufacturing processes.
• Verify availability of material before production starts.
• Ensure proper identification and traceability of materials and fabricated components.
• Minimize unnecessary material movement and excessive WIP.
• Maintain FIFO and production-sequencing requirements where applicable.
• Coordinate material shortages and priority requirements with Planning and Material Control.
• Ensure finished fabricated components are properly identified, protected, staged, and transferred to downstream operations.

• Conduct daily start-of-shift meetings with fabrication personnel.
• Review Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and Productivity performance.
• Maintain visual production-management boards and KPI tracking.
• Participate in the facility's tiered daily-management system and escalate issues requiring cross-functional support.
• Conduct regular Gemba walks and verify adherence to standard work.
• Ensure production problems are documented, assigned, escalated, and closed.

• Provide direct leadership, coaching, and performance management for fabrication operators and team leads.
• Establish clear expectations for safety, quality, productivity, attendance, teamwork, and workplace conduct.
• Develop operator skills through structured training and cross-training.
• Maintain a skills matrix and identify capability gaps within the fabrication organization.
• Develop qualified backup operators for critical fabrication equipment.
• Participate in employee selection, onboarding, training, performance reviews, corrective actions, and development planning.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, continuous improvement, and respect.
• Identify high-potential employees and support their development into technical or leadership positions.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 2-5+ years of hands-on experience in a precision fabrication, machine shop, or heavy manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency with CAD/CAM software (SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Mastercam).
• Knowledge of metalworking techniques (CNC machining, sheet metal, laser cutting, welding) or semiconductor processes (etching, lithography, deposition).
• Familiarity with Statistical Process Control (SPC), GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing), and ERP/MES systems.

How to Stand Out

• Six Sigma Green/Black Belt
• Lean Manufacturing certification
• Certified Manufacturing Engineer (CMfgE)
• Knowledge of Trumpf, Amada, Bystronic, Mazak, Salvagnini, Prima Power or similar CNC fabrication equipment is preferred

Why Join Us?

Sanmina employees also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Sanmina, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation.

Sanmina is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment. Sanmina provides equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

Please be aware that this position may require access to technology, software, or technical data that is subject to U.S. export control laws. All offers of employment are contingent on the applicant either 1) being a "U.S. Person," defined as a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful permanent resident, or (iii) other protected individual, such as a refugee under 8 U.S.C. * 1157 or asylee under 8 U.S.C. * 1158; or 2) being eligible to obtain a timely export control license or license exception from the applicable U.S. federal agency.