Full-Time
Assistant Operator
Zekelman Industries
501-1,000 employees
Domestic steel pipes and tubes manufacturer
Compensation Overview
$26.79/hr
Chicago, IL, USA
In Person
Bachelor's, Associate's
 Operations & Logistics (1) |
|---|
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- Strong mechanical aptitude and basic math skills.
- Visual acuity to read and record numerical data.
- Good communication and interpersonal skills.
- Crane certification.
- Commitment to safe work practices and predictable attendance.
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to stand, walk, use hands, handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms regularly.
- Ability to lift, climb, bend, stoop, push, and pull.
- Ability to work in a loud manufacturing or industrial setting with exposure to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, and occasional wet or humid conditions.
- Perform duties in accordance with company safety policies and report unsafe conditions.
- Troubleshoot, solve, and communicate problems to the mill crew.
- Communicate quality requirements to the mill crew and ensure that they are met.
- Maintain offline requirements to ensure quick-change operation.
- Assist maintenance in making equipment repairs.
- Calibrate micrometers at the start of each shift and during changeovers.
- Assist in changeovers and inspect tooling condition at the end of each rolling, communicating the need for reconditioning.
- Support other team positions and functions as necessary.
- Maintain housekeeping standards in all work areas.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Participate in training and cross-training of new and current team members.
- Perform preventive maintenance activities as assigned.
- Ensure regular, full-time, predictable onsite attendance per the posted schedule.
- Lead and promote health and safety work practices as required by regulatory agencies and company policy.
- At least 5 years of manufacturing experience.
- An associate's degree, bachelor's degree, or trade certification.
- Previous experience with precision instruments such as micrometers and calipers.
Zekelman Industries manufactures steel pipes and tubes for the construction and manufacturing sectors through a family of specialized brands. The company produces structural sections, electrical conduits, and mechanical tubes in domestic facilities and distributes them through a strategic network to enable next-day delivery. Unlike many competitors, Zekelman maintains an entirely North American manufacturing base, which provides superior control over the supply chain and faster shipping times. Its goal is to provide reliable, domestically produced steel solutions while continuously optimizing its facilities to meet evolving industrial needs.
Company Size
501-1,000
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Chicago, Illinois
Founded
1877
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- July 2026 shipments hit a record year, according to Barry Zekelman.
- Jim Marsh joined April 13, 2026 to sell into data centers and AI infrastructure.
- Meredith Peck became CFO on January 19, 2026, supporting a fresh cost and capital reset.
What critics are saying
- Wheatland Tube closed Chicago in 2025, cutting over 230 jobs and signaling import pressure.
- Barry Zekelman said the collapsed Atlas Tube-Maruichi joint venture fell apart in July 2026.
- Mexico conduit imports and tariff loopholes remain an existential threat to Zekelman's U.S. volume.
What makes Zekelman Industries unique
- Zekelman controls 17 North American plants and next-day domestic distribution for contractors.
- Its 2026 push into data centers and AI infrastructure broadens pipe demand beyond construction.
- Vertical brands like Atlas Tube, Wheatland Tube, and Z Modular capture multiple product categories.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
401(k) Company Match
401(k) Retirement Plan
Tuition Reimbursement
Performance Bonus
Company News
Zekelman Industries appoints new VP of Supply Chain. CHICAGO - Zekelman Industries has appointed Jason Nofziger as Vice President of Supply Chain, effective May 11, 2026. In this executive role, Nofziger will oversee the organization's comprehensive supply chain strategy and operations. He brings more than two decades of executive leadership experience in global supply chain management and operations to the Zekelman team. Before joining Zekelman, Nofziger served as Director of Global Supply Chain at Owens Corning's Composites division. During his tenure, he led global supply chain operations for a $2.5 billion business that spanned 25 manufacturing sites and 15 warehouses. Nofziger successfully guided strategic decision-making through significant economic and supply chain disruptions, enabling more than 30 percent EBIT margin growth. He also directed a team of global planning professionals, managed crucial merger and acquisition due diligence, and successfully steered his department through the divestiture of a $1.5 billion business. Prior to his time at Owens Corning, Nofziger advanced through several leadership roles at Honeywell. There, he managed end-to-end global Sales, Inventory, and Operations Planning (SIOP) processes. He led cross-regional supply optimization projects and implemented robust planning systems designed to improve data accuracy and process consistency across the enterprise. "We are pleased to welcome Jason to the Zekelman team," said Tom Muth, President of Pipe & Tube at Zekelman Industries. "His proven ability to drive strategic decision-making and build strong operational frameworks will be invaluable as we continue to expand. We are highly enthusiastic about his appointment and look forward to the expertise he will bring to our future success." Nofziger holds a Master of Business Administration in Operations Management from Ohio Dominican University and a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from the University of Toledo.
Zekelman Industries, North America's leading independent steel pipe and tube manufacturer, has appointed Jim Marsh as Executive Director of Digital & Mission Critical Infrastructure. Marsh will lead business development efforts for data centres, AI infrastructure and other mission-critical markets. Marsh brings extensive industry experience, most recently serving as Director of Key Accounts at Munters, where he managed global hyperscale data centre client programmes. He previously created the mechanical division at Capitol Power Group in northern Virginia, the world's largest data centre market. Zekelman is expanding its offerings with new design and engineering services and products like skid manufacturing to serve the growing digital infrastructure sector. The company operates 17 manufacturing locations across North America with over 3,200 employees.
Zekelman industries appoints Jim Marsh as Executive Director of Digital & Mission Critical Infrastructure. April 13, 2026 CHICAGO (April 13, 2026) - Zekelman - the leading independent steel pipe and tube manufacturer in North America, innovator in modular design and construction, and a pioneer in fully integrated real estate development - today announced that Jim Marsh has joined the company as Executive Director, Digital & Mission Critical Infrastructure. In this role, Marsh will lead business development efforts for data center, AI and digital infrastructure, and other mission-critical markets. A proven sales leader with a strong record of profitable sales growth and team development, Marsh brings extensive industry experience to Zekelman. Most recently, he served as Director of Key Accounts at Munters, a Swedish public company, where he managed global hyperscale data center client programs within the Data Center Technologies division. Previously, Marsh was Vice President at Capitol Power Group (CPG), an electro-mechanical/general trades integrator in northern VA, the largest data center market in the world, where he created the mechanical division and managed business development leading up to the Columbia Capital acquisition of CPG in 2019. "Today's global race to superintelligence is centered in North America across the Big Five hyperscalers - AWS, Microsoft, Meta, Google, and Apple," said Tom Muth, President of Zekelman pipe and tube division. "They are applying the latest liquid-cooled AI infrastructure that leverage many of our products and services." Zekelman is leveraging its unparalleled scale and always-flexible manufacturing practices to expand its offerings with innovative design and engineering services, as well as introducing new products like skid manufacturing. These advancements are designed to provide enhanced solutions to both new and existing customers, reinforcing Zekelman's commitment to meeting the evolving needs of the digital and mission-critical infrastructure markets. Deeply engaged in the data center sector, Marsh is active in several vertical industry organizations, including 7x24 Exchange, AFCOM, Datacenter Dynamics, Infrastructure Masons, and the Open Compute Project. His involvement strengthens Zekelman's connectivity to the market and reinforces its thought leadership within these vital communities. About Zekelman Zekelman is a family of operating companies which include Atlas Tube, Picoma, Sharon Tube, Wheatland Tube, Western Tube, and Z Modular. With 17 manufacturing locations and 3,200+ teammates across North America, the company is the leading independent manufacturer of hollow structural sections (HSS) and steel pipe, and the top producer of electrical conduit and elbows, couplings, and nipples in North America, and innovator in modular design and construction, and a pioneer in fully integrated real estate development. Zekelman - Believe in What You Build(TM). For more information, visit zekelman.com. Media Contacts: Amanda Donovan Director of Marketing Communications, Zekelman 312.339.3838 [email protected] Owen Serey Associate Director PR & PA, Mower 513.639.7455 [email protected] April 13, 2026 There's nothing better than building something you believe in. Zekelman companies are in constant motion, expanding its teams and challenging convention.
Zekelman Industries has appointed Jean-Marc Athanassiadis as Division President of its Sharon Tube business unit, replacing Dan Reilly who is retiring after nearly seven years. Athanassiadis brings over 17 years of experience in multisite manufacturing and operations excellence across North America and Europe. Most recently, he served as COO at Metal Technologies, leading operational stabilisation across six locations. He previously held COO positions at Evantic and began his career at Parker Hannifin. Originally from France, Athanassiadis holds a Master's degree in Industrial Management and a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Burgundy. He will relocate to Pennsylvania in the coming months. Zekelman Industries is North America's leading independent steel pipe and tube manufacturer, operating 17 manufacturing locations with over 3,200 employees.
Zekelman names Jean-Marc Athanassiadis as Division President, Sharon Tube. * ACCESS Newswire * Mar 16, 2026 Athanassiadis to replace retiring Dan Reilly SHARON, PA / ACCESS Newswire / March 16, 2026 / Zekelman Industries, the leading independent steel pipe and tube manufacturer in North America and a pioneer in integrated real estate development, has... * ACCESS Newswire Athanassiadis to replace retiring Dan Reilly SHARON, PA / ACCESS Newswire / March 16, 2026 / Zekelman Industries, the leading independent steel pipe and tube manufacturer in North America and a pioneer in integrated real estate development, has... * ACCESS Newswire Athanassiadis to replace retiring Dan Reilly SHARON, PA / ACCESS Newswire / March 16, 2026 / Zekelman Industries, the leading independent steel pipe and tube manufacturer in North America and a pioneer in integrated real estate development, has announced that Jean-Marc "JM" Athanassiadis will take over as Division President for the company's Sharon Tube business unit. Athanassiadis replaces Dan Reilly who is set to retire after nearly seven years leading the company. Athanassiadis brings more than 17 years of leadership in multisite manufacturing, operations excellence, and team development across North America and Europe to his new role. Most recently, he was COO at Metal Technologies, leading operational stabilization efforts across six locations. Prior to that, Athanassiadis improved manufacturing margins and optimized inventory as the COO at Evantic. JM began his career at Parker Hannifin. "JM has a strong track record of improving safety, strengthening processes, and building high performing teams at every stop in his journey," said Tom Muth, President, Pipe & Tube, Zekelman Industries. "We are confident he'll bring that same leadership and energy to the Sharon Tube operations." Originally from France, Athanassiadis earned a Master's degree in Industrial Management and a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Burgundy. He will be relocating to Pennsylvania in the next few months. About Zekelman Zekelman is a family of operating companies which include Atlas Tube, Picoma, Sharon Tube, Wheatland Tube, Western Tube, and Z Modular. With 17 manufacturing locations and 3,200+ teammates across North America, the company is the leading independent manufacturer of hollow structural sections (HSS) and steel pipe, and the top producer of electrical conduit and elbows, couplings, and nipples in North America. Zekelman - Believe in What You Build(TM). For more information, visit zekelman.com. Media Contacts: Amanda Donovan Director of Marketing Communications, Zekelman 312.339.3838 Owen Serey Associate Director PR & PA, Mower 513.639.7455 View the original on ACCESS Newswire