Valve Shop Manager

Valve Shop Manager

Location: Beaumont, TX
Job Type: Full-Time
Compensation: $75,000–$90,000 per year
Schedule: Day Shift

Lead the Shop. Build the Team. Improve the Process.

Iron Horse is looking for an experienced Valve Shop Manager to lead our valve repair and rebuilding operation. This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for the overall performance of the valve shop, including production planning, workflow, quality, safety, documentation, employee development, and process improvement.

This position is not simply a working foreman or senior technician role. The successful candidate will lead through a team of Leads who oversee day-to-day work in Teardown, Rebuild, and Assembly, while also managing in-process inspection personnel.

The Manager must be able to step back from the individual job and effectively manage the entire operation—planning work, assigning resources, reviewing production and quality information, developing employees, solving problems, and making sure the shop is operating efficiently.

A strong manager from another production, manufacturing, repair, maintenance, or industrial environment may be an excellent fit even without railcar experience. Railcar valve experience is a major plus, but proven management ability is more important.

What You'll Do

Manage Shop Operations

• Direct the daily operations of the valve shop, including teardown, rebuilding, assembly, testing, and inspection.
• Plan and prioritize work to keep production moving efficiently and meet customer requirements and deadlines.
• Coordinate manpower, materials, equipment, and workflow to maximize productivity.
• Identify bottlenecks and develop solutions to improve throughput and efficiency.
• Monitor shop performance and provide regular updates to Plant Management.
• Maintain appropriate staffing levels and communicate hiring and training needs.

Lead Through Your Team

• Direct and develop Leads responsible for Teardown, Rebuild, and Assembly operations.
• Establish clear expectations for Leads and hold them accountable for safety, quality, productivity, and employee performance.
• Train and coach Leads to effectively manage their teams without requiring constant direct oversight.
• Develop consistent processes and expectations across multiple work areas.
• Build a team culture focused on accountability, quality, safety, and getting the job done right.

Quality, Compliance & Documentation

• Ensure valve repair and testing activities comply with applicable AAR, FRA, DOT, customer, and company requirements.
• Oversee inspection, testing, and documentation processes to ensure accurate records and traceability.
• Review production and inspection documentation and address errors or deficiencies.
• Develop, maintain, and improve standard operating procedures and work processes.
• Work closely with Quality Assurance to resolve quality issues and prevent recurring problems.
• Ensure testing equipment, tools, and related equipment are properly maintained and calibrated.

People & Performance

• Train, coach, mentor, and evaluate valve shop employees.
• Address performance, attendance, safety, quality, and conduct issues appropriately.
• Identify employees with leadership potential and help develop them into effective Leads.
• Promote a professional, accountable, and safety-focused work environment.
• Communicate effectively with employees, other managers, customers, and company leadership.

Inventory & Equipment

• Monitor inventory of valve components, repair parts, and consumables.
• Ensure needed materials are available to support production.
• Monitor the condition and availability of shop equipment, tools, and testing apparatus.
• Identify equipment or tooling needs and make recommendations to Plant Management.
  
  

What We're Looking For

We are looking for a manager first and a technician second. You do not have to come from the railroad industry to be successful in this position.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Proven experience managing employees in a production, manufacturing, repair, maintenance, or industrial environment.
• Experience managing through Leads, Supervisors, Foremen, or other frontline leaders.
• A demonstrated ability to plan work, allocate resources, manage workflow, and improve productivity.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities at once.
• Experience reviewing production records, work orders, inspection records, or other operational documentation.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to identify the root cause of operational problems.
• The ability to establish processes and hold others accountable for following them.
• Strong computer skills and comfort working with production documentation and business systems.
• The ability to communicate effectively with employees, management, customers, and other departments.
• A strong commitment to safety, quality, and accountability.
• High school diploma or GED.
  
  

Strongly Preferred

• Experience managing a valve repair, rebuilding, testing, or industrial repair operation.
• Railcar valve repair or railcar maintenance experience.
• Knowledge of AAR interchange rules and FRA requirements related to railcar inspection and repair.
• Experience with process valves, actuators, pneumatic or hydraulic systems.
• Experience reading technical manuals, drawings, specifications, and procedures.
• Previous experience developing or improving SOPs and production processes.
• Experience in a regulated or quality-sensitive industry.

Railroad experience is a plus—not a requirement. If you have successfully managed a production or repair operation and know how to build a strong team and efficient processes, we want to hear from you.

Physical & Work Environment

This is primarily a management and production leadership position, but the Manager will regularly work throughout the valve shop and may occasionally perform or assist with hands-on work as needed.

The work environment may include:

• Exposure to loud noises, fumes, and airborne particles.
• Frequent standing, walking, bending, crouching, climbing, and reaching.
• Occasional lifting up to 75 lbs. and team lifting up to 150 lbs.
• Work around railcars, industrial equipment, tools, and testing equipment.
• Occasional outdoor work in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to enter railcars and work around confined spaces and elevated areas as required.
• Use of required PPE and respirator when applicable.
  
  

Why Join Iron Horse?

• $75,000–$90,000 salary range
• Day-shift management position
• Opportunity to take ownership of an important production operation
• Work with a team of skilled tradespeople and developing leaders
• Opportunity to improve processes and make a measurable impact
• Stable work in the rail transportation and maintenance industry
• Opportunity for long-term growth with a growing company
  
  

If you are a strong production manager who knows how to build teams, establish processes, and drive results, we want to talk to you—even if you have never worked on a railcar.