Operations Manager - Fabrication & Finishing
About Lannon Tank CompanyLannon Tank Company is a leading manufacturer of custom tanks and fabricated metal products serving industrial and OEM markets. Our operation combines precision fabrication, high-quality welding, and specialized finishing processes—including industrial coatings and fiberglass applications.We are a hands-on, production-driven company focused on improving throughput, quality, and on-time delivery while maintaining a strong culture of craftsmanship and accountability.Position SummaryLannon Tank Company is seeking a hands-on Operations Manager – Fabrication & Finishing Flow to strengthen our plant leadership team.This role is responsible for owning the production flow into and out of welding, ensuring that fabrication, coatings, and fiberglass operations run efficiently as one coordinated system.Our Plant Manager leads welding and overall plant performance. This role ensures:Fabrication consistently feeds weldingFinished tanks flow immediately into paint and fiberglassBottlenecks are eliminated across the full processThis is a high-impact execution role focused on throughput, flow, and accountability—not just oversight. This is not a office job.Key Responsibilities1. Fabrication Operations (Flow into Welding)Lead daily operations across:Cutting (plasma)Bug-O-WeldingSawing/Drillings/Other Misc. OpsComponent preparationEnsure fabrication delivers:Complete partsProper sequencingOn-time delivery to weldingEliminate issues such as:Missing componentsPoor job sequencingDelays impacting welding productivityGoal: Welding never waits on fabrication2. Finishing Operations (Flow Out of Welding)Paint / CoatingsManage paint booth operations including:Surface prep (blast / cleaning)Paint applicationCure and inspectionImprove throughput, consistency, and qualityReduce rework and delaysFiberglass BaysOversee fiberglass operations including:WrappingApplicationCure time managementFinal finishingBalance labor and workflow across fiberglass baysTightness TestingEnsure curing constraints are planned into productionGoal:No backlog leaving weldingFinishing processes run at steady, controlled throughput3. Production Flow & System BalanceOwn the movement of work across:Fabrication → Welding → Paint → Fiberglass → FinalMonitor and adjust:Work-in-process (WIP)Department capacityJob prioritizationPrevent:Overproduction upstreamStarvation in weldingBottlenecks in finishingThis role owns the gaps between departments4. Daily Execution & Production ControlLead or co-lead daily production meetingsMaintain visibility on:WIP between departmentsLate jobsThroughput levelsDrive real-time decisions on:Labor allocationJob sequencingProduction priorities5. Team LeadershipDirectly lead in:FabricationPaint / coatingsFiberglass baysEstablish expectations for:OutputQualityAccountabilityDevelop frontline leaders and improve performance standards6. Continuous ImprovementIdentify production bottlenecks and implement solutionsImprove labor efficiency and throughputStandardize processes across fabrication and finishingDrive practical improvements—not theoretical initiatives7. Safety & ComplianceEnsure safe operations across fabrication and finishing areasMaintain compliance with:Coatings and chemical handlingShop and equipment safety standardsReinforce safety culture on the shop floorWhat Success Looks Like (First 90 Days)Fabrication consistently feeds welding without disruptionWelding output moves immediately into finishingPaint booth operates at steady, predictable flowFiberglass bays are scheduled and controlled vs reactiveWIP between departments is visible and reducedDaily production cadence and accountability are in placeMeasurable improvement in throughput and on-time deliveryQualificationsRequired Experience5–10+ years in manufacturing or metal fabrication operationsExperience leading:Fabrication processes (cutting, forming), AND/ORIndustrial coatings, finishing, or similar processesProven ability to improve production flow and throughputHands-on leadership presence on the shop floorPreferred ExperienceLeak Proof Reservoirs, Tanks or Heavy fabrication manufacturingExperience in job shop or OEM supplier environmentsExposure to:Industrial paint systemsFiberglass or composite processesCure-based or time-dependent production systemsKey SkillsProduction scheduling and workflow managementSystem-level thinking across multiple departmentsBottleneck identification and problem-solvingStrong communication with shop floor teamsAbility to drive accountability and resultsWhat We're Looking For (Critical Traits)Hands-on leader – visible and engaged on the floorFlow-oriented thinker – understands how work moves through a plantExecution-driven – solves problems dailySystem balancer – manages upstream vs downstream operationsTeam builder – strengthens supervisors and accountabilityCompensation & BenefitsCompetitive salary based on experiencePerformance-based bonus tied to production and delivery metricsBenefits package (health, retirement, PTO, etc.)Why This Role MattersThis role is critical to improving:Fabrication efficiencyFinishing performance (paint + fiberglass)Overall plant throughputOn-time deliveryYou will directly impact productivity, quality, and profitability at Lannon Tank Company.