The Drive to Discover: Jesse Zuroff’s Career Path at Steffes

Steffes values an employee’s motivation to learn new skills that benefit themselves as well as the company they work hard for. Only by stepping up to this challenge can our employees deliver upon the promise made to the company’s customers: innovative products for a sustainable future.

Jesse Zuroff, operations manager for Steffes’s Dickinson facility, knows this fact all too well after 28 years with the company.

Jesse joined Steffes’s welding team in 1997, fresh out of high school with classroom experience in the trade and a love for learning. “In the early days at Steffes, no matter what was needed, I wanted to learn it,” he said. “I gained so much knowledge in the different sections of the company because I was willing to cross train and learn any step that I could.”

Jesse quickly moved into leadership roles, first as a production lead welder and then as a production supervisor, the latter of which he held for 13 years. Jesse utilized his vast knowledge of the inner workings of the company to lead the efforts of its skilled personnel.

In 2015, Steffes had need of a Certified Weld Instructor (CWI) in its workforce. Being the subject matter expert for welding at Steffes, Jesse jumped at the chance to try something new. He was sent to Texas to complete a two-week course through the American Welding Society (AWS) to become a CWI. He became involved in the quoting process for new products – determining the time, fixtures, and materials needed to deliver on a contract –  and he often traveled with the Sales team to connect with customers.

While he liked this role, it was focused in welding, and he missed the variety being a Production Supervisor had afforded him. In 2021, Jesse accepted the position of Operations Manager for Steffes’s Dickinson facility. In this role, he enjoys working with his direct reports and their teams as well as supporting the company’s efforts in delivering quality products. And you can bet Jesse always has his eyes open for opportunities to learn more!

What has kept Jesse at Steffes for 28 years and counting? The culture, of course. “I had four kids in four years, and once my kids were in activities, I never missed anything. Steffes’s family-oriented culture was huge to me when my kids were growing up. Fitting that with production schedules and still meeting the customers’ needs is challenging, but that balance is so important here.”

Want to experience a company culture that values your satisfaction both at the job and away from it? Join the Steffes team!