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Polk

Director of Fabrication

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JOB SUMMARY / PURPOSE
The Director of Fabrication supports the strategic, long-term planning of Fabrication across all Polk Operating Units. This
position is closely tied to supporting, improving and growing the Polk Fab Shop, but is also the main point of
communication regarding the strategic use of 3rd Party Fabrication partners. This role is tasked with engaging on all Polk
Projects very early on, to identify prefabrication opportunities, evaluate them, identify the cost vs gain of the fab, and to
start planning out that Fabrication work during the first months of the project. They will work closely with Project Teams
to help them effectively execute Fabrication Plans, ensuring the VDC Team Members are involved early to help the BIM
Process be more effective. This position will also have oversight of the Polk Fabrication facility, to guide strategic
planning regarding Polk Fab Shop staffing, equipment purchasing, and flow of work through the facility. The Fab Shop
Manager will report directly to the Director of Fabrication. This position reports to Vice President of VDC & Fabrication.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Fabrication Planning & Prefabrication Enablement

Partner with project executives, project managers, superintendents, and VDC teams early in the project lifecycle

to identify prefabrication and modularization opportunities.

Evaluate contract documents, schedules, and scopes to determine feasible prefab strategies aligned with project

goals.

Develop standardized prefab planning workflows and decision-making frameworks to ensure early adoption

across all project teams.

Support estimating and preconstruction groups with fabrication input, conceptual takeoffs, and value engineering opportunities.

Execution Oversight & Workflow Optimization

Guide project teams through the execution of prefabrication work plans, ensuring scope, sequencing, budget,

and schedule alignment.

Oversee the successful transition from design/VDC output to shop-ready fabrication packages.
Remove barriers for field and project teams by coordinating labor, material availability, and shop resources to

support planned prefab work. Assist Project Team in adjusting budgets to reflect fabrication efforts.

Monitor fabrication package performance, rework rates, and logistical efficiency to drive continuous

improvement.

Act as the key liaison between the fabrication shop and project teams, VDC groups, purchasing, field operations,

safety, and leadership.

Facilitate regular coordination meetings to ensure alignment on project priorities, production schedules, and field

delivery needs.

Communicate bottlenecks, risks, and opportunities for improvement across the organization, ensuring

transparency and alignment.

Support company-wide initiatives focused on standardization, productivity improvement, LEAN practices, and

operational excellence.
Leadership of the Fabrication Shop & Personnel

Provide strategic leadership to the Fab Shop Manager and ensure clear communication of production goals,

standards, and expectations.

Establish and enforce shop safety, quality, and operational protocols consistent with Polk's values.
Mentor, coach, and develop fabrication personnel, fostering a culture of accountability, craftsmanship, and

innovation.

Support staffing plans, workforce development initiatives, and training programs to ensure the shop has the right

skills to meet demand.
Operational Management & Shop Environment

Oversee daily and long-range planning for fabrication workflow, production schedules, capacity forecasting, and

resource allocation.

Evaluate and prioritize incoming fabrication requests from project teams, balancing shop capacity with companywide project needs.
Work with the Fab Shop Manager to optimize the layout, organization, and workflow design of the fabrication

shop to ensure efficient material flow, safety, and productivity.

Ensure accurate tracking of labor hours, productivity metrics, fabrication outputs, and delivery logistics.
Assess current and future shop needs to recommend tools, machinery, automation solutions, and technology

investments.

Stay informed of industry trends, automation opportunities, and best practices in mechanical fabrication.

Quality, Safety, and Compliance

Ensure all fabricated components meet Polk’s quality standards and project-specific requirements.
Maintain rigorous documentation for inspections, testing, and quality control procedures.
Enforce safety policies and lead initiatives to continuously improve the shop’s safety culture and performance

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Minimum education preferred of the position

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Technology, or a related

field OR equivalent combination of education and progressive mechanical construction/fabrication experience.

Advanced training or coursework in Lean Construction, manufacturing processes, or operations management is

a plus.

Minimum certifications/license preferred of the position

OSHA 30 certification (or ability to obtain within 6 months).
NCCER certification in Pipefitting, Plumbing, or related trades (preferred but not required).
PMP, CM-Lean, or similar industry-recognized project management/process improvement certification is a plus.
Welding certifications (AWS, ASME) are not required but beneficial for understanding shop operations.

Minimum experience preferred of the position

10+ years of experience in mechanical construction, fabrication, or industrial manufacturing, with at least 3

years in a leadership or management role.

Demonstrated experience building or managing a fabrication shop, prefabrication program, or production

environment in a mechanical contracting setting.

Strong background partnering with project teams, field superintendents, and VDC/BIM groups to develop and

execute project plans.

Proven track record implementing process improvements, production workflows, or Lean/continuous

improvement methodologies.

Experience managing budgets, equipment selection, and capital planning for fabrication operations.

Minimum knowledge, skills and abilities preferred of the position
Technical Knowledge

Deep understanding of piping and plumbing systems, fabrication techniques, spooling, welding processes, and

mechanical construction practices.

Strong working knowledge of VDC/BIM workflows, shop drawing creation, spool package development, and

model-to-fabrication processes. Familiarity with shop production technologies.

Solid understanding of safety regulations, quality control standards, and compliance requirements in fabrication

environments.
Leadership & Operational Skills

Ability to lead, coach, and develop fabrication teams, including shop supervisors, welders, pipefitters, and

assemblers.

Skilled in cross-functional communication and collaboration between project management, field teams,

VDC/BIM, and purchasing.

Strong operational planning skills, including workflow design, capacity management, scheduling, and resource

allocation.

Ability to identify and evaluate opportunities for prefabrication early in project lifecycles and influence project

teams to adopt prefab strategies.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret schedules, drawings, financial data, and

productivity metrics.
Behavioral & Strategic Abilities

Ability to drive cultural change and champion a prefab-first mindset across the organization.
High level of adaptability, able to navigate shifting demands, emerging technologies, and accelerated project

schedules.

Strong organizational habits and attention to detail, especially in managing multiple projects and priorities

simultaneously.

Ability to develop long-term roadmaps for shop growth, equipment upgrades, and process standardization.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Work performed an office, the Polk Fab Shop, and will require visits construction jobsites on a consistent basis. Travel to
Polk Operating Units across Texas will be required less frequently, but will occur.

DISCLAIMER

Not all aspects of the job are covered by the description – may require other duties as assigned.
Job may change over time in accordance with business needs.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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