Fabrication
managers are pivotal figures in the renewable energy industry, overseeing
component production and assembly for various projects. The renewable sector is
predicted to grow 30x by 2030 compared to 2006, meaning a vast growth of job opportunities. As the
demand grows, so does the need for skilled fabrication managers. But what does their day to day actually look like?
Day to Day Duties
As a fabrication manager, your primary duties will
include effective resource, workforce, risk, and cost management through thorough
project planning. It is a Fabrication Managers job to complete quality control
procedures where relevant, and requires skills like problem solving, effective
communication, documentation review, and meeting compliance standards.
Management
Resource management involves directing materials and
equipment to boost production efficiency and minimise downtime. It includes
overseeing welding and NDT (non-destructive testing), surface treatment, material inspections, and storage
procedures. Within renewable energy, this can include interface coordination of
design, fabrication and instillation of wind/solar farm, energy from waste
facility, or hydroelectricity/hydropower plant. Workforce management
means you're the team captain, responsible for hiring, training, and guiding
skilled workers like welders, fabricators, and technicians to ensure safe (complying
to OSHA safety
regulations) and efficient production (risk management).
Cost
management is all about monitoring and
controlling expenses in fabrication activities without compromising quality or
safety. In a nutshell, it is the Fabrication Managers job to be the conductor
of resources, the team's leader, and the cost-conscious professional, ensuring sterling
quality and safety along the way.
Practical Obligations
Practical responsibilities
include project planning which
can involve developing plans and schedules for fabrication activities to
ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget. Having a problem-solving ability is
important as it is the fabrication managers job to identify and resolve any
technical and operational challenges. Succeeding as a fabrication manager also demands
effective communication with project stakeholders, contractors, and
regulatory authorities to facilitate smooth project execution and compliance
with regulations. When working as a fabrication manager, you will seek continuous
improvement to enhance fabrication processes, increase efficiency, and
reduce waste whilst simultaneously staying updated with industry trends and
advancements.
Processes
Quality control is also an important factor in the role of a
Fabrication Manager and involves implementing
measures to meet quality standards and customer specifications – this can
include running CMM equipment and inspecting components using bench equipment. As a fabrication manager, you must ensure accurate
documentation of equipment maintenance, safety inspections, and project
process. You should also adhere to compliance
standards through meeting OSHA and Sapa environmental,
health, and safety regulations as well as ensuring
basic ERP document for production.
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