Leading Hand – Fabrication Workshop

Four-Day Work Week | Long-Term, Stable Role | Friday Overtime Available Are you an experienced tradesperson who knows how to get the best out of a workshop team?

Industrial Plastics is looking for a capable and hands-on Leading Hand to help guide, train and support our growing crew of younger fabricators at our Hemmant workshop.

This is not a role for someone who wants to stand back and simply give instructions. We are looking for a practical leader who enjoys working alongside the team, sharing their knowledge and helping developing tradespeople build confidence, capability and pride in their work.

Experience in plastic fabrication would be a major advantage, but it is not essential. We are also highly interested in candidates with leadership experience in areas such as steel fabrication, boilermaking, cabinetmaking, joinery, manufacturing or another hands-on workshop environment.

The Opportunity

You will work closely with our Production Manager and Foreman to keep work progressing safely, efficiently and to a high standard. A major part of your role will be helping our younger fabricators improve their skills, solve problems and develop into reliable, highly capable tradespeople.

Your responsibilities will include

- Leading and supporting a crew of fabricators on the workshop floor
- Providing practical training, instruction and day-to-day guidance
- Helping allocate work and keeping jobs moving according to priorities
- Reviewing workmanship and reinforcing quality standards
- Reading drawings, planning fabrication tasks and solving workshop problems




- Supporting apprentices and less-experienced team members
- Promoting safe working practices and good workshop organisation
- Communicating progress, material requirements and potential delays
- Working hands-on with the crew when required

About You

You may already be working as a Leading Hand, Supervisor, Foreman or highly experienced tradesperson who is ready to take the next step into leadership.

You will ideally bring

- Previous experience leading or guiding people in a fabrication, manufacturing or workshop environment
- Robust practical fabrication, construction or assembly skills
- The ability to explain tasks clearly and patiently
- A genuine interest in training and developing younger workers
- High standards for safety, quality and workmanship
- The confidence to make decisions and address issues constructively
- Good communication and organisational skills
- A reliable, level-headed and team-focused approach

Experience in plastic fabrication, thermoplastic welding, sheet fabrication, CNC machinery or interpreting fabrication drawings would be highly regarded, but training can be provided to the right person.

Why Join Industrial Plastics?

Industrial Plastics is a well-established, family-owned Australian manufacturer with more than 50 years of industry experience.



We design and fabricate specialised thermoplastic equipment for the mining, water treatment, chemical, infrastructure and industrial sectors. You will join a stable business with a strong pipeline of work and a genuine commitment to developing its people.

We offer

- A permanent, long-term position
- A genuine four-day working week
- Monday-to-Thursday workshop hours
- Optional Friday work paid at overtime rates
- A practical leadership role with real influence
- The opportunity to develop the next generation of skilled fabricators
- Support from an experienced Production Manager and senior workshop team
- Training in plastic fabrication for candidates coming from other trades
- Interesting, specialised projects rather than repetitive production-line work
- A friendly, down-to-earth and supportive team environment

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced tradesperson who wants to step into a meaningful leadership position while remaining connected to the practical work they enjoy. Location: Hemmant, Brisbane

Standard Hours: Monday to Thursday, 6:00 am–4:00 pm

Friday Work: Available as overtime when required

Employment: Permanent full-time

Apply

Please submit your résumé along with a brief introduction outlining your workshop, fabrication or manufacturing experience and any previous responsibility you have had for leading, training or mentoring others. We welcome applications from experienced professionals across plastic fabrication, steel fabrication, boilermaking, cabinetmaking, joinery and related manufacturing trades.

📌 Leading Hand – Fabrication Workshop | 4-Day Week (Hemmant)
🏢 Industrial Plastics
📍 Hemmant