Rate: $52.48 per hour (Union Scale)
Job Type: Full-Time
Union: IATSE Local 21
Location: On-site Fairfield, NJ
Position Overview
The Carpentry Foreperson leads the Carpentry Department and is fully accountable for personnel performance, workflow management, technical standards, training, safety, and overall shop quality. This role ensures safe, efficient, and high quality fabrication across all carpentry projects while providing strong operational, disciplinary, and cultural leadership. The Carpentry Foreperson is responsible not only for daily production output, but for the long term health, stability, and professionalism of the department.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Department Oversight
- Own the performance, conduct, and well being of the entire Carpentry team
- Ensure productivity, focus, craftsmanship, and efficient use of materials
- Set the tone for accountability, urgency, and pride in workmanship
- Act as the primary disciplinarian when required, maintaining fairness, consistency, and professionalism
Performance Management & Workflow
- Set clear performance expectations for carpenters, leads, apprentices, and utility workers
- Monitor daily and weekly workflow for pace, accuracy, and consistency
- Identify performance or skill gaps early and provide coaching or corrective action
- Coordinate with Project Forepersons on crew allocation, skill utilization, and labor efficiency
- Track productivity against schedules, budgets and labor projections
- Identify and resolve workflow bottlenecks (materials, drawings, space, sequencing)
- Manage overtime strategically when required
Conduct, Professionalism & Safety
- Uphold standards for punctuality, communication, teamwork, and shop etiquette
- Address conduct issues promptly and appropriately
- Reinforce expectations around tool care, cleanliness, organization, and material stewardship
Quality Control & Craftsmanship
- Perform regular spot checks and shop walkthroughs
- Work with Project Forepersons and Lead Carpenters to resolve quality issues early
- Hold teams accountable for prep work such as sanding, filling, routing, labeling, and finish readiness
- Coordinate with Scenic, Metal, CNC, Graphics, and other departments to maintain shop-wide quality alignment
Training & Technical Leadership
- Maintain fluency across carpentry tools, equipment, and fabrication processes
- Establish and enforce technical standards and best practices
- Lead training for new hires and ongoing upskilling for existing staff
- Supervise and train Utility Workers, Apprentices, and Interns in alignment with individual training programs
- Participate in hiring, onboarding, and integration of new team members
- Lead cross-training initiatives to create redundancy and flexibility within the department
Operational Responsibilities
- Maintain inventories of stock materials and consumables
- Coordinate basic repair of shop equipment as necessary
- Attendance at job start or production meetings as needed
Qualifications
Required
- 5–10 years of experience in a leadership role within a fabrication environment
- Strong knowledge of wood, plastics, and related fabrication techniques
- Ability to lift 50 lbs. and work on your feet throughout the day
Preferred
- Scenic, theatrical, or custom fabrication experience
- Union shop experience
Benefits
Medical, Dental, Vision, Annuity, Pension, Sick/PTO, Vacation
Schedule & Work Environment
ShowFab operates in a demanding field with hard deadlines and quick turnarounds. This is a hands-on, physically active role critical to the success of the Carpentry Department. Overtime and weekend work are often required to meet project needs.
- 8-hour day shift
- Weekend and overtime availability
- On-site in Fairfield, NJ (not remote)
What Success Looks Like in This Role
- A disciplined, professional, and engaged carpentry team
- Reduced rework, waste, and recurring issues
- Strong safety performance and shop organization
- Development and retention of skilled craftspeople and future leaders