Operations / General manager

Job Title

Operations / General Manager

Location

Tailem Bend, South Australia

About DNS Fabrication Industries

DNS Fabrication is a steel fabrication, welding and installation business based in Tailem Bend, servicing commercial and industrial clients, especially in the agricultural and food sectors.

We maintain a modern workshop with diverse capabilities for custom fabrication, installation, and on-site welding.

We also provide freight / transport services, and plant hire to support project logistics.

As we continue to grow, we seek a capable, proactive Operations / General Manager to lead day-to-day operations, drive process improvements, and support strategic growth.

Role Purpose

The Operations / General Manager (GM) will oversee all operational, production, and support functions to ensure safe, efficient, high-quality delivery of fabrication and installation projects. The GM will lead staff, manage budgets, coordinate projects, and contribute to business strategy, making sure that DNS Fabrication maintains high standards, timely delivery, cost control, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities
1. Operational & Production Management

• Oversee all fabrication, welding, assembly and installation operations, ensuring projects meet specifications, quality standards, timelines, and budget.
• Allocate resources (labour, equipment, materials) to projects to maximize efficiency and utilization.
• Monitor production KPIs (throughput, downtime, yield, scrap, rework) and implement corrective actions.
• Introduce process improvements, lean practices, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to increase productivity, reduce waste, and maintain quality.
• Ensure maintenance schedules and reliability of workshop equipment, plant, tools, and vehicles.

2. Project & Contract Management

• Collaborate with Sales / Estimating to review project bids, contracts, scopes, and feasibility.
• Oversee project execution from kick-off through completion: planning, scheduling, progress monitoring, change control, client liaison, and handover.
• Manage subcontractors and suppliers: negotiate terms, monitor performance, and ensure compliance with safety, quality, and delivery.
• Mitigate project risks: cost overruns, delays, technical challenges.

3. Quality, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure all operations comply with applicable Australian standards, welding codes, structural and safety regulations.
• Lead and enforce safety programs, site safety, safe work method statements (SWMS), hazard identification, training, and incident investigation.
• Maintain and continuously improve quality control procedures and inspections.
• Oversee documentation: welding procedures, material traceability, inspection records, client certifications.

4. Financial & Cost Control

• Develop, manage, and monitor operational budgets, forecasts, and cost centres.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities (material, labour, overhead) without compromising quality.
• Monitor margins by project, identify under-performing jobs, and take corrective actions.
• Report performance metrics and financial outcomes to owners / board.

5. Team Leadership & People Management

• Lead, develop, and mentor foremen, supervisors, tradespeople, fabricators, welders, and support staff.
• Establish clear roles, responsibilities, performance objectives, and KPIs.
• Recruit, onboard, train, evaluate, and, when needed, manage performance issues.
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, teamwork, safety-first, and high quality.

6. Strategy & Growth

• Work with senior management/owner to develop growth strategies, new service lines, expansion plans, and capital investment.
• Evaluate opportunities for process automation, equipment upgrades, facility expansion, or acquisition.
• Monitor market trends in fabrication, agriculture / food sector, and competitor innovations.
• Ensure operations are scalable, flexible, and capable of absorbing growth.

7. Customer & Stakeholder Relations

• Serve as operations point-of-contact for major client accounts, resolving issues, coordinating delivery, and maintaining client satisfaction.
• Liaise with external stakeholders: certifiers, government / regulatory bodies, suppliers, contractors.
• Represent the company in project meetings, site meetings, and negotiations.

Essential Skills & Experience
Qualifications & Experience

• Tertiary or diploma qualification in Engineering (Mechanical / Structural / Manufacturing), Business Management, or equivalent.
• Proven experience (5–10+ years) in operations management, ideally in steel fabrication, welding, heavy manufacturing, or related fields.
• Experience managing projects end-to-end, with budgets, timelines, quality and client liaison.
• Strong financial acumen — budgeting, cost control, margin management.
• Demonstrated ability to lead a multi-disciplinary workshop / production team.
• Experience delivering safety, quality, regulatory compliance in industrial settings.

Skills & Attributes

• Strong leadership, people, and communication skills.
• Excellent problem-solving, planning, and organisational skills.
• Ability to drive process improvements, implement systems, and manage change.
• Commercial mindset with an eye to cost, efficiency, margin, and risk.
• Hands-on ethos: willing to step in to resolve issues, be on the shop floor, understand technical details.
• Comfortable dealing with ambiguity and a fast-paced, project-driven environment.
• High integrity, accountability, and professionalism.

Working Conditions & Requirements

• Based at Tailem Bend workshop, with expectation of regular presence on the workshop floor and at client sites.
• Some travel may be required to client sites and supplier locations.
• Must be able to work extended hours during peak project periods.
• Valid driver's licence; ability to oversee transport / logistics operations.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and timelines.

Reporting & Structure

• Reports directly to the owner.
• Supervises foremen, supervisors, technical leads, and production / workshop staff.
• Works closely with Sales / Estimating, Procurement, Finance, and Quality functions.

What We Offer

• A leadership role in a growing, hands-on fabrication business.
• Opportunity to shape and improve operations, processes, and culture.
• Competitive remuneration.
• Supportive environment where safety, quality, and teamwork are valued.

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