Team Leader – Welding in Witham

Crittall Windows Ltd is the world leader in the manufacture of hand crafted, beautiful steel windows and doors that grace some of the finest buildings across the globe. As part of our growth plan, and to meet demand for our iconic products, we are seeking to appoint a full time Team Leader for our Welding department, based at our head office in Witham. We offer a 4 day week with 20 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), flexible working, sick pay, pension, profit related bonus scheme, employee benefits package (discounts on everyday goods & services) & life assurance cover. This is a great opportunity to join a world-renowned company with a rich heritage spanning over 175 years. The company actively supports progression and will provide learning opportunities and full training to the successful candidate.

Job Description

Department: Production
Reporting to: Production Manager
Place of Work: Head Office, Witham, Essex

Purpose: The Welding Team Leader is responsible for overseeing daily welding operations, ensuring high‑quality workmanship, safe working practices, and efficient workflow across the welding team. This role combines strong technical welding expertise with leadership responsibilities, fostering a culture of teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement. The Team Leader will drive performance through coaching, process optimisation, and alignment with the company’s values.

Internal Contacts: Upstream & Downstream Production Teams, Purchasing, Production Control, Quality, Health & Safety
External Contacts: Suppliers

Roles, Duties and Responsibilities

• Leadership & Team Management
  • Lead, support, and motivate a team of welders to achieve production targets and quality standards.
  • Coordinate daily workloads, allocate tasks, and monitor progress in line with project schedules.
  • Provide coaching, feedback, and skills development to team members.
  • Act as the first point of contact for resolving technical issues, escalating problems where necessary.
  • Conduct performance discussions and support training plans to develop a multi‑skilled workforce.
• Operational Excellence
  • Ensure all welding activities meet safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.
  • Interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and welding procedures, ensuring team adherence.
  • Conduct in‑process inspections and final checks to maintain compliance with welding standards.
  • Collaborate with production planners, quality inspectors, and engineering teams to resolve issues swiftly.
• Safety & Compliance
  • Promote a strong safety culture by modelling safe behaviour and enforcing safety policies.
  • Ensure correct use of PPE, tools, and equipment across the team.
  • Participate in incident investigations and support corrective actions.
  • Ensure team compliance with ISO standards and company guidelines.
  • Champion Lean, 5S, Kaizen, or similar continuous improvement methodologies.
  • Identify opportunities to improve workflow efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance productivity.
  • Lead problem‑solving sessions and root‑cause analyses (e.g., 5 Whys, Fishbone).
  • Support standardisation of work processes and contribute to SOP updates.

Skills and Qualifications

• Proven experience as a welder (MIG/TIG/Laser joining processes).
• Experience leading or mentoring others in a workshop or manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of welding symbols & procedures.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings.
• Knowledge of Lean or continuous improvement principles.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Experience with robotic/automated welding systems.
• Experience with weld inspection equipment and methodologies.
• Experience in fenestration industry.

Training in 5S, Lean, Six Sigma, or other CI methodologies. Certification in welding and fabrication. Certified Welding Inspector (CWI). First‑aid or safety‑related certifications.

The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to the role. They should not be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of the person in the role. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of Crittall Windows.