Fabrication and Workshop Lead

The primary purpose of this role is to lead the offsite fabrication function, by supervising day-to-day workshop and warehouse operations, ensuring fabrication, assembly, storage, and dispatch activities are executed safely, efficiently, and in alignment with technical project requirements. It also includes interfacing with onsite to support site installation works.

This role bridges technical project documentation (drawings, P&IDs, fabrication details) and practical workshop execution. The position is hands-on, proactive, and includes continuous improvement of standards across safety, quality, organisation, and productivity.

Workshop Supervision and Hands On work

• Supervise trades and workshop personnel (fabricators, fitters, electricians, apprentices).
• Work hands on as required in fabrication tasks
• Allocate daily tasks aligned with production schedules and project priorities.
• Ensure works are completed to drawings, specifications, and quality standards.
• Review fabrication and assembly works against issued drawings and P&IDs.
• Identify constructability or fabrication issues early and escalate appropriately.
• Drive a culture of accountability, workmanship excellence, and continuous improvement.

Technical Interpretation & Quality

• Interpret technical documentation including:
• P&IDs
• General arrangement drawings
• Fabrication drawings
• Equipment layouts
• Verify materials, components, and assemblies match project specifications.
• Ensure QA documentation, inspection checklists, and traceability records are maintained.
• Coordinate with Engineering where drawing clarification is required.

Warehouse & Inventory Oversight

• Handle goods receipting, storage, picking, and dispatch activities.
• Ensure incoming materials are checked against purchase orders and specifications.
• Maintain organised, safe, and clearly labelled storage systems, enabling easy identification of project specific items.
• Support stock control processes and assist in identifying inventory improvements.
• Provide input to improve workshop and warehouse layout to optimise efficiency and workflow.

Safety & Compliance

• Enforce WHS policies and safe work practices.
• Conduct toolbox talks and ensure adherence to safe work method statements (SWMS).
• Identify hazards and proactively implement corrective actions.
• Maintain housekeeping standards (5S principles preferred).

Production Coordination

• Assist in planning workflow and labour allocation.
• Ensure availability of trades based on production workload
• Support the Production Manager in tracking fabrication progress.
• Flag risks to schedule or quality early.
• Support pre-assembly, skid builds, and factory acceptance testing preparation