Production Supervisor

About Taylor Studios

Taylor Studios is an exhibit design and fabrication firm producing exhibits and experiences for museums, nature centers, libraries, visitor centers, universities, zoos, aquariums, and other destinations across the country. We teach content through interpretation and storytelling and strive to inspire others through our designs.

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Production Supervisor with a strong background in scenic fabrication and model-shop work to lead the planning and execution of one-of-a-kind museum exhibits. This position combines hands-on knowledge of artistic fabrication with production leadership. The ideal candidate understands how creative, custom work is physically produced and can use that experience to plan work, lead fabricators, solve technical challenges, manage labor hours and schedules, protect quality, and keep projects moving from design through fabrication and installation.

The Production Supervisor is expected to maintain strong visibility on the shop floor, understand the condition of active work, coach and direct fabricators, identify risks early, and ensure the team has the information, materials, equipment, and priorities needed to succeed.

Key Responsibilities

Production Planning & Shop-Floor Leadership

• Translate approved design intent, scope, schedule, budget, and fabrication information into an executable production plan, including labor, sequencing, equipment, materials, subcontractor support, and production dependencies.
• Coordinate weekly labor assignments across projects based on priorities, remaining hours, fabricator skill sets, shipping/install dates, equipment availability, staffing, PTO, and shop capacity.
• Maintain strong shop-floor visibility; provide clear daily direction, remove blockers, monitor progress, workmanship, hours, safety, and confirm upcoming work is ready before it is needed.
• Lead multidisciplinary fabricators working in scenic/model making, woodworking, metal fabrication, digital fabrication, finishing, graphics integration, and exhibit assembly.

Scenic Fabrication, Constructability & Quality

• Provide practical technical leadership for foam and clay sculpting, model making, mold making, casting, scenic finishing, and painting, including the materials and processes used for professional exhibit fabrication.
• Use hands-on fabrication experience to assess constructability, select practical fabrication methods, estimate realistic labor needs, develop prototypes/mockups, and identify technical risks before work reaches the shop floor.
• Troubleshoot mold failures, casting defects, coating problems, sculpting challenges, paint/finish issues, and material compatibility while evaluating form, proportion, texture, durability, color, and finish quality.
• Monitor quality throughout fabrication, coordinate corrections and punch-list work, and prepare completed components for formal quality review, shipping approval, and installation.

Budget, Project Coordination & Installation

• Manage production performance against time-goal hours and working budgets by monitoring labor, material usage, rework, scope creep, and cost risks and recommending staffing, sequencing, process, or resource adjustments as needed.
• Collaborate with Project Managers, the Director of Production, Art Director, designers/detailers, and fabricators to align design intent with production execution, document changes, and communicate risks early.
• Coordinate assigned vendors and subcontractors for technical requirements, progress, delivery dates, and quality while appropriately escalating scope, contract, client, and major schedule decisions.
• Plan and coordinate packing, shipping, and production-side installation needs, including crew, labor hours, tools, equipment, transportation, site requirements, known risks, troubleshooting, and closeout support.

Required Qualifications

• Extensive hands-on experience in scenic fabrication, including foam/clay sculpting, molding, casting, finishing, and painting.
• Proven experience leading skilled fabricators/artists and managing labor, schedules, quality, and multiple project priorities.
• Ability to interpret designs and drawings, develop practical fabrication solutions, and proactively solve production challenges.
• Strong communication, leadership, dependability, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work in an active fabrication shop, lift up to 50 lbs., and travel or work extended hours as project needs require.

Preferred Experience

• Experience supervising museum exhibits, themed environments, visitor experiences, zoo/aquarium exhibits, props, models, or other one-of-a-kind fabricated environments.
• Advanced scenic painting experience, including realistic finishes, faux finishes, aging, texture, airbrush/spray techniques, and color matching.
• Experience with fiberglass/composites, hard-coating systems, urethane and epoxy materials, resins, silicones, adhesives, fillers, and specialty coatings.
• Working knowledge of woodworking, metal fabrication, welding, CNC/digital fabrication, 3D printing/scanning, graphics, AV/interactive integration, rigging, or mixed-material assembly.
• OSHA 10 or OSHA 30, forklift, aerial-lift, respirator, or other relevant shop/installation safety training.

This is a full time, salaried position with benefits including a flexible schedule, 401(k), health insurance, and many opportunities for creative cross training. Candidates of any experience level with strong portfolios will be considered. Pay range is $65,000-$85,000 and commensurate with experience and auxiliary skills.

Perks and Benefits

• Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Competitive compensation based on experience and qualifications
• 401(k) with company match
• Health, dental, vision, and life insurance
• Flexible spending account and health savings account options
• Paid time off and parental leave
• Opportunity to lead the creation of unique exhibits and experiences installed across the country

How to Apply

For consideration, send a cover letter, resume, and a portfolio showing examples of relevant work to: [email protected]

Taylor Studios, Inc.
1320 Harmon Drive
Rantoul, IL 61866
[email protected]

Taylor Studios, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Pay: $65,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person