Workshop Supervisor

SMS - Smart Manufacturing Solutions; North Shields; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading outsourced service provider is recruiting a workshop team leader. The role entails supervising day-to-day operations, ensuring safety and quality, and mentoring less experienced team members. The ideal candidate will possess deep technical expertise in welding and fabrication, coupled with strong leadership skills.

Qualifications

• Expert in MIG/TIG welding, structural and bespoke fabrication.
• Ability to read and interpret complex technical/engineering drawings.
• Confident in estimating time, labour, and material needs.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day operations of the fabrication and welding team.
• Conduct quality checks to ensure standards are met.
• Provide guidance and training to apprentices.

Skills

MIG/TIG welding

Problem-solving

Team-building

Leadership

Education

NVQ Level 3 in Welding/Fabrication

Tools

Digital job tracking software

Job description

Company Overview

Smart Manufacturing Solutions is a leading outsourced service provider. We are recruiting for a workshop team leader for one of our clients based in North Shields.

Location: North Shields, UK
Reporting to: Managing Director

Overview
We are seeking a highly skilled fabrication supervisor to lead our workshop operations.

This is a hands-on leadership role, combining team supervision with key support to our estimating team by accurately measuring jobs and advising on manufacturing hours. The successful candidate will bring deep technical knowledge, shop floor credibility, and the ability to drive productivity while maintaining exceptional standards of quality and safety.

Key Responsibilities

• Workshop Supervision
• Lead the day-to-day operations of the fabrication and welding team
• Assign tasks based on skill, priority, and job requirements
• Monitor progress and ensure all work meets drawings, tolerances, and deadlines
• Oversee material usage and consumables, raising requirements in advance
• Lead weekly production meetings with management, plan and manage job list
• Job Measurement & Estimating
• Support measuring and reviewing completed jobs to track actual fabrication times
• Provide insight and feedback to the estimating team on realistic labour hours
• Support development of accurate, profitable quotations based on real workshop performance
• Identify opportunities to reduce waste and improve workflow efficiency

Health, Safety & Quality
Enforce strict adherence to H&S procedures, PPE usage, and safe working practices.
Conduct in-process and final quality checks to ensure standards are met.
Promote a safety-first culture among all workshop staff.

Mentoring & Team Development
Provide guidance and training to apprentices and less experienced team members.
Foster a positive team culture with a focus on continuous improvement.
Share best practices and support skills development within the team.
Carry out biannual reviews with shop floor staff.

Reporting & Digital Tracking
Utilise job tracking software to monitor and report job progress and labour input.
Maintain records of labour hours and project timelines for analysis and planning.
Report any issues, overruns, or resource shortages to management.

Requirements

• Expert in MIG/TIG welding, structural and bespoke fabrication
• Ability to read and interpret complex technical/engineering drawings
• Confident in estimating time, labour, and material needs for varied fabrication projects
• Competent in using digital job tracking
• Strong leadership, problem-solving, and team-building abilities
• NVQ Level 3 or equivalent in Welding/Fabrication (or higher)

Rate of pay
£17-18.50 per hour