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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Aluminum Door Foreman

💰 $60,000 - $95,000

ConstructionInstallationManufacturing

🎯 Role Definition

The Aluminum Door Foreman leads onsite installation and field fabrication of commercial aluminum storefronts, curtain wall systems, entrances and aluminum door assemblies. This role combines technical expertise in aluminum systems and glazing with supervisory responsibilities: planning, sequencing, quality control, safety enforcement, crew coaching and client communications. The foreman ensures installations meet shop drawings, project specifications, AAMA standards and owner/architect expectations while delivering on schedule and within budget.

Key SEO/LLM keywords: Aluminum Door Foreman, aluminum storefront, glazing, commercial door systems, curtain wall, door hardware, shop drawings, site supervision, field fabrication.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Aluminum Door Installer / Storefront Installer
  • Glazier / Glass Installer
  • Field Fabricator / Metal Shop Technician

Advancement To:

  • Site Superintendent (Glazing/Facade)
  • Project Manager — Doors & Storefronts
  • Operations Manager / Installation Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Curtain Wall Foreman
  • Glazing Supervisor
  • Hardware & Service Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Lead and supervise daily field installation activities for aluminum storefronts, curtain wall systems, commercial entrance doors and associated glazing and hardware, ensuring work is performed to shop drawings, project specifications and AAMA/ASTM standards.
  • Read, interpret and verify architectural drawings, shop drawings, submittals and door schedules; identify coordination issues early and propose corrective actions to project management and the GC.
  • Layout, measure and field-verify openings and substrates; check squareness, level and plumb before setting frames and anchors to ensure proper fit and function of aluminum door assemblies.
  • Coordinate sequencing of multi-trade work (concrete, structural steel, masonry, glazing, drywall) and stage storefront and door installation to prevent rework or delays.
  • Supervise, train and mentor installation crews (lead carpenters, installers, apprentices) on safe handling, correct anchoring methods, sealant application, glazing practice and hardware installation to maintain a high-quality standard.
  • Install anchors, clips, fasteners and brackets to structurally attach aluminum frames to substrate types (concrete, CMU, steel, wood) following manufacturer and engineer requirements.
  • Set, shim and secure door frames and storefront systems; adjust alignment and tolerances to meet architectural specs and manufacturer tolerances; document deviations and obtain approval when necessary.
  • Install insulated glass units, setting blocks, gaskets and thermal breaks; verify IGU orientation, glazing pressures and edge clearance; manage on-site glazing sealing and weep systems.
  • Install and adjust door hardware (closers, panic devices, electric strikes, automatic operators, thresholds, gasketing, weatherstripping) per hardware schedules and applicable codes (ADA, NFPA).
  • Fabricate and finish minor field repairs and modifications to aluminum components (cutting, drilling, trimming, riveting) using portable fabrication tools and ensuring corrosion protection and finish integrity.
  • Perform final fit, adjustment and function testing for doors and hardware; create, manage and close punch lists, coordinating with QA/QC and the general contractor for final acceptance.
  • Maintain daily logs, labor reports, material usage records, and equipment checklists; provide accurate site progress reports to project management and update scheduling tools.
  • Enforce company and site-specific safety programs, conduct toolbox talks, ensure crew compliance with PPE, fall-protection and lift operation rules; escalate and resolve safety hazards immediately.
  • Coordinate equipment needs including cranes, hoists, scissor lifts and scaffolding; direct rigging and placement of large storefront units and curtain wall panels to minimize risk and protect finished surfaces.
  • Confirm material deliveries against purchase orders and submittals, inspect incoming aluminum frames, hardware and glazing for compliance and damage; manage storage and protection of materials on site.
  • Review and implement manufacturer installation instructions and warranty requirements; identify conditions voiding warranties and report to project management for resolution.
  • Manage on-site change order documentation related to field modifications, unforeseen conditions and design clarifications; provide labor and time estimates to support contract adjustments.
  • Mentor apprentices and junior installers through on-the-job training, ensuring knowledge transfer of specialty skills: thermal break assembly, silicone application, high-performance sealants, and custom metal fabrication.
  • Interface with owners, architects, general contractors and subcontractors to explain installation approaches, schedule impacts and quality concerns; maintain professional on-site client relations.
  • Inspect completed work for watertightness, air infiltration, and thermal performance criteria; collaborate with testing vendors for mock-ups or field testing as required by specifications.
  • Maintain and calibrate hand and power tools commonly used for aluminum installation (routers, saws, power drills, torches when applicable), ensuring safe operation and timeline efficiency.
  • Supervise and participate in emergency service and warranty callouts, diagnosing field failures, completing repairs and documenting root causes for continuous improvement.
  • Implement quality control checklists at critical milestones (rough set, glazing, hardware installation, final adjustment) and sign off on stage completions prior to GC/owner inspections.
  • Coordinate site cleanup, protection of finished surfaces, and final handover documentation including O&M manuals, warranty paperwork, as-built markups and closeout photographs.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist project management with labor forecasting, material take-offs and on-site logistics planning to maximize installation productivity.
  • Participate in pre-construction meetings and pre-installation mock-ups to validate sequencing and product performance.
  • Support procurement by verifying vendor submittals, clarifying product options, and recommending field-friendly alternatives that meet spec and schedule.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement by documenting lessons learned from installations, warranty repairs and field failures for estimating and quality standards.
  • Help develop onsite training materials and facilitate periodic crew skill assessments to raise installation quality and safety awareness.
  • Coordinate with service teams to schedule warranty follow-ups and planned maintenance work for installed door systems.
  • Maintain and update digital records (site diaries, photos, RFIs, submittal revisions) to support claims, closeout and compliance.
  • Support junior foremen in problem-solving complex installations and escalations from the field supervisor to project leadership.
  • Periodically verify labor productivity metrics and report deviations, proposing corrective measures to improve schedule adherence.
  • Participate in recruiting interviews for field installers and apprentices, provide technical input and help define job-performance expectations.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Extensive field experience installing aluminum storefront systems, commercial entrance doors, curtain walls and glazed assemblies.
  • Ability to read, interpret and verify architectural drawings, shop drawings, door schedules, structural drawings and hardware templates.
  • In-depth knowledge of glazing practices: IGU handling, setting blocks, gaskets, sealants, edge clearances and glass support.
  • Proficiency with aluminum framing installation: anchoring methods, shimming, alignment, thermal break handling and waterproofing details.
  • Hardware installation and adjustment skills: closers, panic hardware, electric strikes, automatic operators, thresholds and ADA compliance.
  • Field fabrication skills: accurate cutting, drilling, routing and finishing of aluminum sections with portable and stationary tools.
  • Experience with sealants and adhesives (silicones, polyurethane, structural glazing compounds) and application best practices for weatherproofing.
  • Competency using power tools and elevated access equipment (scissor lifts, boom lifts) with a focus on safety and protection of finishes.
  • Familiarity with AAMA, ASTM, ADA, NFPA and applicable local building codes impacting storefronts and doors.
  • Basic blueprint-markup, field measurement documentation and as-built recordkeeping; comfortable using mobile/photo documentation.
  • Ability to create and manage punch lists, perform final QA/QC checks and complete warranty documentation.
  • Proficiency with project scheduling fundamentals; experience coordinating installation work to critical path items.
  • Experience conducting on-site mock-ups, water infiltration tests and participating in manufacturer-led performance testing.
  • Familiarity with common hardware brands and specification standards (e.g., Dorma, SARGENT, Von Duprin, ASSA ABLOY) and their templates.
  • Basic metalworking and welding knowledge helpful for field modifications (MIG/TIG or brazing when required by shop procedures).
  • Competence in using simple estimating tools for change order labor and time calculations.

Soft Skills

  • Strong leadership and crew-management skills; ability to motivate installers to deliver high-quality workmanship on deadline.
  • Excellent verbal communication and client-facing skills for interactions with GCs, architects, owners and vendors.
  • Detail-oriented with a commitment to craftsmanship, quality control and proper documentation.
  • Effective problem-solver who stays calm under pressure and develops practical, code-compliant field solutions.
  • Time management and organizational skills to manage multiple projects and prioritize tasks on dynamic job sites.
  • Coaching and mentoring mindset: trains apprentices and documents best practices to lift overall team capability.
  • Safety-first attitude with the ability to enforce site rules and implement corrective actions.
  • Professionalism and customer-service orientation when representing the company on-site and during handovers.
  • Adaptability to changing site conditions and scope modifications while minimizing schedule impacts.
  • Collaborative approach to working with multidisciplinary trades and internal teams to resolve coordination issues.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or GED

Preferred Education:

  • Technical certificate in construction trades, architectural technology, or a glazing apprenticeship completion
  • Manufacturer-specific training or certification (AAMA installer training, storefront/curtain wall training)

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Construction Technology
  • Architectural Drafting / Building Science
  • Metal Fabrication / Welding Technology
  • Glazing Technology / Fenestration Studies

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 4–10 years of progressive field experience in aluminum storefronts, curtain wall and commercial door installation.

Preferred: 6+ years in storefront/glazing installation with at least 2 years in a supervisory or foreman role; prior experience managing crews of 4–12 installers and coordinating complex multi-trade commercial installations.

If you’d like, I can convert this into a short job posting version for job boards (ATS-optimized) or a checklist for interviewing Aluminum Door Foreman candidates.

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