Fabrication Manager

ABOUT VOLGREN:

Volgren was established in 1977 and is Australia’s largest and most successful bus body builder. We operate three manufacturing facilities located in Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia, along with Aftersales facilities across five states — Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, New South Wales and South Australia. 

Volgren is part of the Marcopolo Group – a Brazilian Bus Manufacturer. It has a manufacturing presence in 12 countries, employing more than 14,000 people.

Volgren builds bus bodies for the world’s leading chassis manufacturer’s including Volvo, Scania, Mercedes, MAN and most recently we delivered Western Australia’s 100th ‘E’ bus on the Volvo chassis.

Our uncompromising manufacturing standards, class leading technology and our unmatched after sales service ensure our customers can trust in our product.

Our focus is on providing a safe working environment and learning opportunities to passionate individuals who are ready to grow with us. We are committed to supporting progress, transformation and skill development while offering the opportunity to be part of the future of transport through the manufacture of Electric Vehicles. We are a team of people who love what we do, champion ideas and innovation, support one another and strive for quality.

Our values include:

• Respect and Appreciation of People
• Commitment to Excellence
• Customer Satisfaction
• Ethics and Integrity
• Sustainability
• Teamwork

BENEFITS:

• The opportunity to build on your current skills and open further doors in the manufacturing industry.
• Continue to be a part of a growth orientated global organisation.
• Local and international career opportunities with Volgren Australia and Marcopolo
• Ability to work within a close team environment
• Opportunity to travel interstate
• Be part of the National Incentive Program
• 24/7 Free access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Free onsite parking available

ABOUT THE ROLE:

We are looking for a Fabrication Manager to join our team in Dandenong. The Fabrication Manager will lead Volgren's fabrication workshop and is accountable for the safe, efficient and reliable delivery of fabricated components to the production plan. This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for establishing, commissioning and continuously improving the Fabrication workshop, including flat-bed laser cutting machines and CNC equipment/systems. The role plans labour, machine capacity, materials and workflow; leads and develops a small skilled team; ensures drawings, tolerances and quality requirements are achieved; and drives machine utilisation, safety, cost, delivery and continuous improvement. The position works closely with Operations, Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Planning, Quality, Logistics.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead safe fabrication operations, including contractor controls.
• Ensure compliance with company standards & fabrication practices.
• Lead workshop layout, services, installation, commissioning, validation and production handover for new fabrication machinery.
• Coordinate OEMs, contractors, tooling, consumables, spares, safety controls, operator training and production ramp-up.
• Translate the operations plan into achievable weekly and daily fabrication schedules.
• Balance labour, machine capacity, materials, and priorities; identify and escalate constraints early.
• Provide technical leadership across all machinery and fabrication processes.
• Interpret engineering drawings, tolerances, BOMs and routings and optimise setup, cycle time, material yield and process stability.
• Lead, coach and develop a small team of team leaders, operators.
• Set clear expectations, allocate work, manage performance and attendance, maintain skills matrices and build succession coverage.
• Ensure quality controls are applied and components meet drawings, tolerances and product requirements.
• Manage non-conformances, root cause actions, and engineering change implementation.
• Work with Maintenance and OEMs to implement preventive maintenance, breakdown response, critical spares and equipment condition controls.
• Drive 5S, visual management, standard work, root cause problem solving and measurable productivity improvements.
• Collaborate with Operations, Engineering, Planning, Quality, Logistics.
• Demonstrates Volgren's values & winning behaviours

COMPETENCIES

• Visible, hands-on leadership style
•  Strong planning, analytical, decision-making and structured problem-solving capability.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills
• Computer literacy in Microsoft Office and ERP systems; familiarity with CAD systems and machine-management software is desirable.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• Relevant trade qualification in metal fabrication, boilermaking, sheet metal or a related discipline; or a diploma/degree in mechanical, manufacturing or industrial engineering.
• Supervisory or leadership training is desirable.
• Project management, machinery commissioning, Lean/continuous improvement or relevant welding supervision qualifications are desirable.
• 5-10 years of experience in metal fabrication or an industrial manufacturing environment, including at least 5 years leading a small operational team.
• Strong hands-on experience with flat-bed laser cutting machines and a sound understanding of CNC controls, machine setup, programming principles, nesting/CAD-CAM and production optimisation.
• Practical knowledge of tube laser cutting and CNC tube bending equipment, with exposure to press brakes, guillotines, welding and general fabrication processes.
• Demonstrated experience implementing and commissioning new machinery; experience establishing a new workshop or fabrication function from the ground up is highly desirable.
• Proven production planning and scheduling capability, including labour and capacity planning, materials, WIP, BOMs, routings and ERP/MRP systems.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, tolerances and specifications and work with mild steel, stainless steel and aluminium.
• Experience in safety systems, quality controls, preventive maintenance, root cause problem solving, 5S and continuous improvement.
• Experience managing suppliers, OEMs, contractors and operational budgets.

This position also requires the applicant to undertake a pre-employment medical which includes a drug and alcohol analysis, musculoskeletal evaluation and hearing test

Applicants must have the right to work and live in Australia.

Our Diversity and Inclusion Commitment:

Volgren is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to attracting and developing an inclusive and diverse workforce that reflects the community we serve. 

As an Inclusive employer we welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from Indigenous Business Sectors, people of all genders including those who identify as LGBTQIA, people with a disability and from disability enterprises, people from Sustainable Regions, Disadvantaged Sectors and Social Enterprises and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

We are committed to treating every application objectively, follow a coherent screening and interview process and we hire based on attitude, skill and merit.

**PLEASE NOTE: Due to a high volume of applicants, only short-listed candidates will be contacted. *