Cable Department Head

Position Overview

The Cable Department Head is responsible for leading the day-to-day night-shift operations of the Cable Department and supervising a team of three Cable/Warehouse Technicians. This is a hands-on leadership role focused primarily on ensuring all cable inventory is properly prepped, tested, organized, and ready to support upcoming shows, while managing the efficient de-prep, inspection, and turnaround of returned equipment.

The Cable Department Head oversees department workflow, assigns daily priorities, and ensures cable assets are accurately scanned, stocked, maintained, and available to meet operational demands. While the position includes cable assembly, repair, and build responsibilities, those functions serve as support to the department's primary objective of maintaining show-ready inventory and efficient warehouse operations. The Cable Department Head is responsible for maintaining quality standards, supporting inventory accuracy, developing team members, and ensuring the department operates safely, efficiently, and in alignment with production schedules.

General Tasks / Duties

Below is a general list of the tasks and duties:

Team Leadership 

• Lead and oversee the cable department warehouse technicians. 
• Assign daily priorities with primary emphasis on show prep, de-prep, equipment readiness, inventory organization, and warehouse workflow. Coordinate repair and cable-build activities as needed to support operational requirements.
• Work alongside the team as a hands-on contributor and provide technical guidance on cable assembly, termination, diagnosis, testing, and repair. 
• Train and develop technicians in cable construction, repair methods, proper tool use, testing procedures, quality expectations, and safe work practices. 
• Monitor productivity, workmanship, attendance, and adherence to department procedures.
• Monitor department workload and staffing levels and communicate when additional MERTZ crew personnel may be needed to meet show schedules, turnaround requirements, or increased operational demand.
• Communicate completed work, open repairs, inventory needs, and urgent priorities to the appropriate departments. 
• Maintain a professional, collaborative, and accountable work environment. 

Show Prep, De-Prep, Asset Readiness, and Quality Control

• Oversee cable preparation for outbound shows, ensuring all cable assets are tested, inventoried, labeled, scanned, and staged accurately.
• Lead cable de-prep activities following show returns, ensuring equipment is inspected, tested, sorted, documented, and returned to inventory promptly.
• Prioritize turnaround of returned equipment to maintain availability for upcoming productions.
• Ensure cable inventory remains organized, accessible, and show-ready at all times.
• Coordinate with warehouse, project management, and department leaders to align prep priorities with upcoming show schedules.
• Build, terminate, inspect, diagnose, test, repair, and maintain professional cable assemblies used for live events. 
• Select appropriate cable, connectors, components, materials, and termination methods based on application requirements and company standards. 
• Work with cable types and connector systems that may include XLR, speakON, BNC, etherCON, network/data, power, multipin, and other production cable assemblies. 
• Read and interpret wiring diagrams, schematics, pinouts, service documentation, and build specifications. 
• Use testing equipment, soldering tools, crimpers, hand tools, and other cable assembly and repair equipment safely and correctly. 
• Perform final quality-control inspections and ensure cable assemblies pass required testing before being released into inventory or show use. 
• Identify damaged or unsafe cable, remove it from service when appropriate, and ensure repairs and status changes are documented. 
• Develop and maintain consistent build standards, inspection procedures, testing processes, labeling practices, and repair documentation. 
• Identify opportunities to improve cable quality, durability, production efficiency, and repair turnaround times. 

Inventory Management, Show Support, and Warehouse Operations

• Maintain department readiness by ensuring cable inventory