Workshop Supervisor

_{05th November, 2026}

Position Overview
Responsible for the day-to-day supervision and coordination of workshop fabrication operations, ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently and to the required quality standards, within agreed timeframes and job budgets.
This role requires a hands-on leader who can organise and guide the workshop team, monitor progress and productivity, support staff with day-to-day challenges and maintain a strong presence on the workshop floor. The successful candidate will take ownership of the role, lead by example and be willing to get involved in the work when required.
Key Responsibilities
Workshop Operations and Production

• Allocate daily work scopes to tradespeople and apprentices, ensuring tasks are clearly understood and appropriate to each person's skills and experience.
• Coordinate labour, materials, equipment and resources to meet production schedules and project requirements.
• Monitor job progress, productivity and labour hours against allocated work scopes and quoted hours.
• Maintain a visible presence on the workshop floor, particularly at the start of shifts and after breaks, to support productivity and keep work moving.
• Identify production delays, resource shortages and workflow issues, taking action to resolve them where possible.
• Participate in daily planning and weekly production meetings with management.

Team Leadership and Development

• Lead, mentor and support a workshop team of approximately 20 employees, including apprentices.
• Provide clear direction, practical guidance and appropriate support based on individual skills and experience.
• Set expectations around performance, attendance, timekeeping, work quality and accountability.
• Monitor team performance and address issues as they arise, working with management where required.
• Identify skills gaps and training opportunities to improve team capability and productivity.
• Foster a positive, cooperative workshop environment and lead by example through a hands-on approach.
• Work alongside the team when required rather than relying solely on delegation.

Quality and Job Cost Control

• Ensure fabrication work is completed in accordance with job specifications, drawings, quotations and applicable quality requirements.
• Monitor quality throughout production and coordinate required inspections and quality documentation.
• Minimise rework, material wastage and unnecessary labour overruns.
• Ensure job cards, timesheets, material usage and associated documentation are accurately completed and allocated to the correct jobs.
• Assist management with job costing reviews, final job documentation and invoicing requirements.

Safety and Workshop Standards

• Promote safe work practices and actively contribute to maintaining a safe workshop environment.
• Communicate safety expectations through toolbox meetings and daily interactions with the team.
• Ensure workshop inspections, housekeeping, plant maintenance records and required testing and tagging activities are completed.
• Identify hazards, unsafe practices and opportunities to improve workshop safety.

Continuous Improvement

• Work with management to improve workshop processes, production efficiency and resource utilisation.
• Maintain and reinforce standard operating procedures and agreed work methods.
• Identify opportunities to improve equipment use, workflow, quality and team performance.
• Complete other reasonable duties as required by management.

Skills and Experience

• Previous experience supervising or leading a fabrication, welding or engineering workshop team.
• Relevant industry experience and a sound understanding of workshop fabrication operations.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to organise work, guide staff and manage competing priorities.
• A practical, hands-on approach and willingness to assist with workshop activities when required.
• Ability to monitor job progress, labour allocation, productivity, quality and costs.
• Commitment to workplace safety, quality standards and continuous improvement.
• Good organisational skills and attention to detail, including accurate job and production records.
• Computer proficiency, including Microsoft Word, Excel and general office software.

A relevant trade qualification would be advantageous but is not essential for the right candidate with suitable industry experience and leadership capability.
Licences and Qualifications The following requirements are to be confirmed:

• Construction White Card.
• High Risk Work Licence for forklift operation and associated equipment.

Key Selection Considerations The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate the ability to:

• Take genuine ownership of the workshop and its day-to-day performance.
• Lead by example and remain actively involved in workshop operations.
• Set clear expectations, guide the team and hold people accountable.
• Balance production demands with safety, quality and cost control.
• Fit into an existing business and work collaboratively with management and workshop staff.