Fabrication Supervisor
Barry-Wehmiller · Spokane · $75,000–$95,000 (stated in the posting)
About Us:
Alliance Machine Systems International, LLC is a privately held company with over 35 years of history dedicated to providing corrugated box manufacturing machines and services to the changing industry. As the paperboard packaging industry's premier global supplier of productivity-enhancing process machinery and systems, we supply innovative designs, intelligent automation, and optimized workflow, coupled with highly responsive parts and service support. Our United States and Europe based engineering, manufacturing, sales and service operations provide a global support system covering the full product portfolio of Alliance, Serco, TEI, ASC, Pallmac, J&L and Tanabe machines.Barry-Wehmiller is a diversified global supplier of engineering consulting and manufacturing technology for the packaging, corrugating, sheeting and paper-converting industries. By blending people-centric leadership with disciplined operational strategies and purpose-driven growth, Barry-Wehmiller has become a $3 billion organization with nearly 12,000 team members united by a common belief: to use the power of business to build a better world.Job Description:
THIS IS AN ONSITE ROLE LOCATED IN SPOKANE, WASHINGTON.
The Fabrication Supervisor provides visible, hands-on leadership for fabrication and machining operations across multiple shifts. This role is accountable for people leadership aligned with Truly Human Leadership Principles, daily production execution, labor and equipment coordination, and reliable flow through saw, machining, welding, and related processes. The supervisor leads through frontline leads, develops team capability, resolves constraints, and works closely with Planning, Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and downstream production teams.
Primary Role Priorities
1. Lead People
Set clear expectations, coach 3-4 leads, develop employees, and create consistent accountability across shifts.
2. Execute Production
Align labor, material, equipment, and priorities to meet the fabrication and machining schedule.
3. Improve Flow
Identify constraints, reduce downtime and delays, and strengthen handoffs to internal customers.
Essential Responsibilities
Fabrication and Machining Operations
- Direct daily work across saw, machining, welding, and related fabrication processes, using leads to translate schedule priorities into clear floor-level assignments.
- Coordinate labor, materials, tooling, equipment, and support resources to achieve production requirements and respond to changing priorities.
- Monitor schedule attainment, productivity, work-in-process, labor performance, downtime, and operational constraints; take timely recovery action when performance is at risk.
- Maintain effective shift handoffs, tiered communication, visual controls, and escalation routines so priorities and barriers are understood across all shifts.
- Ensure production and labor reporting is accurate, current, and useful for daily decision-making.
- Partner with Planning, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and downstream operations to resolve technical, material, equipment, and schedule issues.
People and Lead Development
- Provide clear direction, coaching, recognition, and accountability for approximately 30 employees, including 3-4 frontline leads.
- Develop leads to independently manage daily direction-setting, staffing, communication, problem-solving, escalation, and employee support.
- Support staffing, onboarding, skills development, cross-training, attendance management, and performance management in partnership with Human Resources.
- Build a respectful, team-oriented culture with strong ownership, direct communication, and internal customer focus.
- Maintain a visible floor presence across applicable shifts and adjust work hours when needed to support the operation.
Operational Discipline
- Confirm employees follow approved drawings, specifications, work instructions, process requirements, and documentation practices.
- Reinforce safe work practices, required PPE, housekeeping, equipment safeguards, and timely escalation of unsafe conditions.
- Protect material identification, traceability, staging, and movement through fabrication; address shortages, misplaced parts, and avoidable handling that disrupt production.
- Use structured problem-solving and follow-through to prevent recurring schedule, quality, equipment, or workflow issues.
Qualifications
Required
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Five or more years of progressive manufacturing experience, including leadership of frontline employees and leads in a production environment.
- Demonstrated experience leading fabrication, machining, welding, metal processing, or a closely related manufacturing operation.
- Ability to execute production schedules, allocate labor, manage competing priorities, and recover from operational disruptions.
- Practical knowledge of manufacturing equipment, workflow, drawings, specifications, work instructions, and performance data.
- Experience coaching employees, setting expectations, addressing performance concerns, and developing frontline leaders.
- Strong communication, organization, decision-making, and structured problem-solving skills.
- Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office and ERP, MRP, inventory, or production-reporting systems.
- Ability to work flexible hours as needed to support multiple shifts.
Preferred / Nice to Have
- Associate or bachelor degree in manufacturing, operations, business, engineering technology, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and practical experience.
- Ten or more years of manufacturing experience with depth in fabrication, machining, welding, industrial equipment, or metal processing.
- Continuous improvement experience using Lean, 5S/7S, Kaizen, Kata, visual management, standard work, root-cause analysis, or similar methods.
- Quality experience supporting inspection requirements, corrective action, process audits, quality at the source, or an ISO 9001-based Quality Management System.
- Safety leadership experience involving risk identification, incident follow-up, employee engagement, and sustainment of safe work practices.
- Experience with paint, material flow, inventory control, Kanban, point-of-use delivery, or receiving operations.
- Formal leadership, Lean, quality, or safety training.
Leadership Competencies
- Floor-focused leadership: Visible, approachable, and engaged where work occurs.
- Production discipline: Sets priorities, protects the schedule, and follows through.
- Lead development: Builds capability and ownership rather than bypassing leads.
- Problem-solving: Uses facts, identifies root causes, and verifies results.
- Cross-functional partnership: Works constructively across departments to remove barriers.
- Communication: Provides direct, respectful, timely, and consistent direction.
- Accountability: Establishes standards and addresses gaps fairly and promptly.
- Change leadership: Explains the purpose, involves employees, and reinforces new practices.
Work Environment and Physical Expectations
- Frequent presence in fabrication, machining, welding, paint, receiving, and material-handling areas.
- Required use of applicable personal protective equipment and compliance with site safety requirements.
- Ability to stand, walk, and move throughout manufacturing operations for extended periods.
- Regular exposure to industrial noise, moving equipment, welding activity, paint operations, and changing production priorities.
Compensation: $75,000-95,000 base compensation
Benefits: Alliance offers a competitive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, 401K with employer match, PTO, paid holidays and a bonus program.
At Barry-Wehmiller we recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. If your experience is close to what you see listed here, please still consider applying. We know that our differences often can bring about innovation, excellence and meaningful work—therefore, people from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply to our positions. Please let us know if you require reasonable accommodations during the interview process.
Barry-Wehmiller is an equal opportunity employer. M/F/D/V This organization uses E-Verify.Applicants may be subject to pre-employment screening which may include drug screening, reference checks, employment verifications, background screening and/or skills assessments.Company:
Alliance