Production Team Leader

Gripple; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Share ownership

15% non-contributory pension

32 days’ holiday

Private healthcare

Job summary

Gripple in Sheffield seeks an experienced production team leader to guide frontline teams through ongoing organisational, process and digital change. You will balance visible shop-floor leadership with strategic analysis to stabilise performance, strengthen discipline and implement sustainable improvements.

Reporting to a senior team leader, you will manage operators, drive 85% OEE and 99% on-time delivery, and ensure safety, quality and efficiency across the team.

Qualifications

• Experience leading manufacturing teams through sustained operational change.
• Strong communication and people-management capability.
• Evidence of performance management and problem solving on the shop floor.
• Ability to analyse issues, remove barriers and implement improved ways of working.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of operators on the shop floor to meet safety, quality and efficiency targets.
• Provide coaching and development to create a high-performance culture.
• Coordinate daily production activities to deliver plans efficiently and safely.
• Identify and resolve operational issues impacting performance and customer service.
• Use data and metrics to monitor performance and drive improvements.
• Support implementation of new processes, systems and ways of working across the operation.
• Collaborate with other team leaders, managers and support functions to remove barriers.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to boost productivity, quality, safety, and team effectiveness.

Skills

Team leadership

People management

Communication

Problem solving

Data-driven decisions

Coaching

Continuous improvement

Change management

Tools

Dynamics 365

Job description

Location: Sheffield, United Kingdom Deadline: 9th October 2026

Unleash your potential. Change the game with Gripple.

We’re on the hunt for an experienced production team leader with a proven track record of leading manufacturing teams through sustained operational change. This is a demanding front-line leadership role requiring strong communication and people-management capability, confident performance management and the ability to analyse operational problems, remove barriers and introduce improved ways of working.

Over the next 6 to 12 months, you’ll help lead the operation through continued organisational, process and digital change. You’ll be expected to stabilise performance, strengthen operational discipline, improve team capability and establish sustainable ways of working. This role requires someone who can balance visible shop-floor leadership with the ability to step back, analyse wider operational issues, challenge established thinking and lead structured improvement.

Why Gripple?

We’re not just innovators—we’re game-changers. Since 1989, Gripple has led the charge in wire joining and suspension systems. As a 100% employee-owned business, we don’t just hire talent—we invest in it. You’ll be backed by a global infrastructure, a powerhouse support team, and a culture that champions ownership, passion, and performance.

What’s in it for you:

• Share ownership : Buy a stake in Gripple and the GLIDE group and share in our success
• 15% non-contributory pension
• 32 days’ holiday , increasing with long service
• Private healthcare , family-focused policies, and exceptional benefits that support your wellbeing at every stage

The role:

As a team leader, you’ll be on the shop floor leading by example, solving problems in real time, and keeping production running smoothly. Reporting to a senior team leader, you’ll lead a team of operators, ensuring that safety, quality, and efficiency are never compromised. You’ll be responsible for hitting key performance targets like 85% OEE and 99% on-time delivery, while managing labour, workflow, and stock levels across the team.

Communication is key, as you’ll be the link between your team, internal departments, and the wider supply chain.

What you’ll be doing:

• Leading, coaching and developing a team to achieve safety, quality, delivery and productivity targets
• Creating a high-performance culture through clear expectations, accountability and regular feedback
• Coordinating daily production activities to ensure plans are delivered efficiently and safely
• Identifying and resolving operational issues that impact team performance, output and customer service
• Using data and operational metrics to monitor performance and drive improvements
• Supporting the implementation of new processes, systems and ways of working across the operation
• Working closely with fellow team leaders, managers and support functions to remove barriers and improve performance
• Driving continuous improvement initiatives that improve productivity, quality, safety and team effectiveness

Who you are:

To be considered for an interview, you must be:

• an experienced people leader with a track record of leading teams through change and improving performance, able to demonstrate our 5E leadership behaviours (Edge, Engage, Energy, Energise, Execute)
• confident in engaging the team, setting clear expectations and managing performance
• a strong problem solver who can identify root causes and remove barriers to success
• data-driven, using information to make informed decisions
• an effective coach and mentor who develops capability within teams
• comfortable challenging the status quo and introducing new ways of working
• resilient, adaptable and able to maintain focus in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
• a skilled communicator who builds trust, engagement and collaboration across functions

Knowledge and/or practical experience of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations would be a distinct advantage.

Working hours

The position will entail working regular mornings and afternoons on a two-week shift pattern, Mon-Thurs 6.00am-2.00pm or 2.00pm-10.00pm and Fri 6.00am-1.00pm or 1.00pm-8.00pm.

Night shift, day shift, and weekend work may also be required to meet the demands of the business, and you may also be required to help in other areas on site. A flexible, ‘can do’ attitude is therefore paramount.

The Gripple Spirit

Our values – fun, integrity, passion, entrepreneurship, teamwork, innovation – aren’t just words on a wall. They shape everything we do. Join us, and you’ll experience:

• true work-life balance
• an inclusive and caring workplace where your ideas matter, and your impact is felt globally
• Take a tour of our head office at the historic Old West Gun Works in Sheffield, South Yorkshire here

Closing date 9th of October2026.

Bring your ambition. We’ll bring the opportunity.

Join a team where everyone belongs

We’re committed to creating opportunities for people from all backgrounds. We encourage applications from individuals who may have faced barriers to employment, education or training and are looking to build their future.

We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued with a sense of belonging. If there are any adjustments that would help your experience with Gripple, please let us know when you apply.

Whilst not mandatory, your completion of the applicant ethic monitoring form will help us monitor and encourage equality and diversity. The information you provide will be anonymous and kept both confidential and separate to your application.