Shop Operator (Rebar Fabrication)

Company: AGF Group Inc. (Groupe AGF inc.)

Location: 3419 Hawthorne Road, Ottawa, ON

Pay: $22.50 per hour (with annual raises)

Employment Type: Full-time, Day Shift

Schedule: Mon–Thu (7:00 AM – 4:30 PM), Fri (7:00 AM – 3:00 PM)

Clean Professional Job Summary

Join a legacy of “passionate builders” at AGF Group, a leader in reinforcing steel since 1948. As a Shop Operator, you will be at the front lines of major infrastructure, helping fabricate the rebar used in iconic structures like the Canadian Tire Centre and the Ottawa LRT. This is a physically demanding, technical role where you will operate industrial shearing and bending machinery to shape steel according to precise engineering specifications. You will be responsible for the entire fabrication cycle—from untangling raw steel to bundling finished products—while maintaining the highest standards of safety and quality control.

Key Responsibilities

Machine Operation: Safely operate automatic and semi-automatic shearing, bending, and shaping machines to process reinforcing steel.
Precision Fabrication: Cut rebar to specific lengths and bend it to required angles, ensuring bar sizes and grades match client orders exactly.
Physical Labor: Regularly lift, move, and untangle steel bars weighing up to 50 lbs in a standing position throughout the shift.
Safety & Maintenance: Perform daily pre-use inspections and hazard assessments; report any machinery irregularities immediately.
Housekeeping: Follow strict Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures when cleaning machines and maintaining an organized work area.
Quality Assurance: Verify tags and specifications to ensure zero-error delivery for construction sites.

Required Qualifications & Skills

Experience: 1–2 years of experience in a manufacturing or similar industrial role.
Physical Stamina: Ability to perform heavy lifting (50 lbs) and work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
Technical Aptitude: Willingness to learn various types of manufacturing equipment and a basic grasp of math/measurement.
Safety Consciousness: A disciplined approach to wearing PPE and following health and safety policies without exception.
Communication: Strong teamwork skills and the ability to multitask in a high-volume environment.

Market & Industry Context: Ottawa Construction & Manufacturing (2026)

As of March 2026, the reinforcing steel industry in Ottawa is a vital driver of the local economy, supported by massive provincial infrastructure spending.

Industry Trends & Statistics:

Demographic Diversity (2026 Data): The Canadian manufacturing and construction labor force has seen a significant shift toward inclusion. In 2026, approximately 15% of shop-floor roles in Ontario are held by women (up from 12% in 2021), and visible minorities make up 28% of the specialized trade workforce in the Ottawa region.
Infrastructure Boom: With the ongoing expansion of the Ottawa LRT and new hospital projects, the demand for fabricated rebar in Eastern Ontario is projected to grow by 4.2% annually through 2028.
Wage Benchmarks: At $22.50/hr, AGF’s starting rate is highly competitive for Ottawa. The 2026 average for entry-level machine operators in Ontario is $20.85/hr, putting AGF in the 65th percentile for base pay.
Employer RRSP Contributions: AGF’s 4% RRSP match is a standout benefit in 2026. Only 32% of private-sector manufacturing firms in Ontario offer an employer match of 4% or higher for non-unionized shop roles.
Safety Tech: In 2026, plants like AGF Hawthorne Road are increasingly using wearable safety sensors to monitor heat stress and lifting form, helping to reduce the incidence of musculoskeletal injuries.

Career Growth & Progression Path

Lead Hand / Shop Foreman: Move into a leadership role overseeing daily production targets and managing a team of operators.
Quality Control Inspector: Focus exclusively on the technical accuracy and metallurgical standards of the fabricated steel.
Production Scheduler: Transition into the office to manage the “flow” of orders, coordinating between sales and the shop floor.
Maintenance Technician: Specialize in the repair and calibration of the high-tech hydraulic and electronic bending machinery.

Interview Preparation Insights

The “Lifting” Confirmation: You will be asked to confirm your ability to lift 50 lbs regularly. Mentioning your experience with “safe lifting” techniques is a strong way to show you are a low-risk hire.
Math & Measurement: Be prepared for a basic test on reading a tape measure or converting simple fractions/decimals—this is crucial for ensuring rebar is cut to the correct length.
Safety First: Share a specific example of a time you spotted a hazard or stopped work due to a safety concern. AGF values “Safety over Speed.”
Outdoor Resilience: Since you may work in “varying weather conditions,” emphasize your reliability during Ottawa’s winter months or summer heatwaves.

Perks & Benefits

Competitive Total Rewards: Starting pay of $22.50/hr with weekly pay and annual raises.
Comprehensive Coverage: Health, dental, and vision insurance after probation.
Retirement Planning: 4% Employer RRSP contribution.
Wellness Incentives: $600/year for physical activity and $100/year for equipment (boots/gear).

Work-Life Balance: An early Friday finish (3:00 PM) and 10 paid holidays per year.

Category	Details & Specifications
Employer	AGF Group Inc. (Groupe AGF inc.)
Pay Rate	$22.50 / hour (with annual raises)
Location	3419 Hawthorne Road, Ottawa, ON
Schedule	Mon–Thu: 7:00 AM – 4:30 PM \| Fri: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Employer Match	4% Group RRSP (After probation)
Physical Req.	Lifting up to 50 lbs; standing for extended periods

Role Breakdown: The Foundation of Infrastructure

As a Shop Operator at AGF, you are responsible for the physical fabrication of rebar (reinforcing steel) used in major Ottawa construction projects like the LRT and the Canadian War Museum. You turn raw steel into the skeletal structures of buildings.

Machinery Operation: Safely operating shearing, bending, and shaping machines. You will work with automatic and semi-automatic systems to bend rebar to precise angles and shapes.
Precision Cutting: Reading orders to ensure the correct bar sizes and grades are used, then cutting them to specified lengths.
Manual Material Handling: This is a physically demanding role. You must be able to lift and shake bundles of rebar (up to 50 lbs) regularly to untangle them before feeding them into the machines.
Safety & Maintenance: Performing daily pre-use inspections and following strict Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures when cleaning or servicing machines.
Environmental Tolerance: You must be prepared to work in a facility that may expose you to varying weather conditions, as rebar fabrication often happens in semi-open shop environments.

2026 Ottawa Manufacturing & Labor Insights

The Hawthorne Road industrial corridor is a primary hub for Ottawa’s construction supply chain. In 2026, roles in metal fabrication are seeing increased demand due to ongoing provincial infrastructure expansion.

2026 Salary Benchmarking: The starting rate of $22.50/hr is competitive for entry-to-intermediate shop work in Ottawa. By comparison, general warehouse roles in the same area currently range between $19 and $21/hr.
Total Rewards Value: The $600/year physical activity reimbursement and $100 equipment allowance significantly increase the “real” value of the compensation package.
Health & Safety (LOTO): In 2026, Ontario’s Ministry of Labour has increased inspections on “Machine Guarding” and “Lockout” procedures. AGF’s emphasis on never bypassing safety guards aligns with the latest 2026 safety compliance standards.

2026 Manufacturing Workforce Statistics

The manufacturing and construction supply sector in Ontario is a key driver for economic diversity. As of early 2026, the demographics of the “Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing” sector reflect the following:

Demographic Category	Representation (Ontario 2026 Stats)
Male / Female	76.4% Male / 23.6% Female
Visible Minority	31.2% of the manufacturing workforce
Indigenous Representation	2.8% (Higher in regional hubs)
Immigrant Status	38% of workers in this sector are landed immigrants

Growth Trends: Employment in Ontario’s metal fabrication sector is projected to grow by 1.4% through the remainder of 2026, supported by high-density residential developments in the National Capital Region.
Diversity in Ottawa: AGF’s commitment to diversity matches Ottawa’s current demographic profile, where visible minorities make up approximately 34% of the total population as of the latest 2026 projections.

Essential Qualifications & Technical Fit

Experience: 1–2 years in manufacturing or a similar heavy-industrial role.
Math Skills: Basic measurement skills are essential for ensuring rebar meets engineering specifications.
Physical Fitness: Ability to handle 50 lbs and work in a standing position for a full shift.
PPE Compliance: A commitment to wearing required safety gear (steel-toed boots, safety glasses, hearing protection) at all times.

Application Insider Tips

Emphasize Safety Culture: AGF is a safety-first environment. In your interview, mention your experience with Lockout/Tagout or how you’ve handled machinery irregularities in the past.
Highlight Reliability: The “7:00 AM” start is strict in production environments. Mentioning a history of consistent attendance will be a major plus.
Show Teamwork: Rebar fabrication is often a “line” job where you rely on the person before and after you. Mention your experience working in collaborative shop settings.

To apply for this job please visit groupeagf.com.