Weld Shop / Machine Shop Leading Hand – Heavy Fabrication

We're looking for an experienced Weld Shop / Machine Shop Leading Hand to join a well-established engineering business with a strong reputation for quality heavy engineering, fabrication and machining.

This is a hands-on leadership role suited to an experienced trade-qualified person who enjoys working on the tools while also taking responsibility for coordinating the day-to-day work across the workshop.

We are open to candidates from a heavy fabrication, welding, fitting and turning or machining background. Previous Leading Hand experience would be an advantage, but strong senior tradespeople who are ready to take the next step are encouraged to apply.

The Role

Working alongside the workshop and engineering teams, you'll help ensure jobs are completed safely, efficiently and to the required quality standards.

You'll help coordinate work on the workshop floor, support the trades team, prioritise jobs and make sure work is progressing to schedule.

This is not a desk-based supervisory role. You'll remain hands-on and use your own trade skills when required.

Depending on your background, your experience may be across heavy fabrication and welding, fitting and turning, machining, or a combination of these areas.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate and support the day-to-day activities across the weld and machine shop.

• Allocate work and help prioritise jobs to meet production schedules.

• Provide practical and technical guidance to tradespeople.

• Complete hands-on trade work when required.

• Read and interpret engineering drawings and specifications.

• Ensure work is completed to the required quality and customer specifications.

• Monitor job progress and communicate any issues or delays to management.

• Work closely with workshop, engineering and project teams.

• Assist with planning and organising workshop resources.

• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure workshop procedures are followed.

• Assist with problem-solving and provide practical solutions on the workshop floor.

• Lead by example and help maintain a productive, professional workshop environment.

About You

We're looking for an experienced tradesperson who is ready to take on more responsibility and play an important role in the day-to-day running of a busy engineering workshop.

Your background may be in heavy fabrication and welding, fitting and turning, machining or a related heavy engineering trade.

You'll ideally have:

• Trade qualification or equivalent practical experience in a relevant engineering trade.

• Significant experience within heavy engineering, fabrication, machining or workshop environments.

• The ability to read and interpret engineering drawings.

• Experience working with heavy steel, machinery, hydraulic components or complex fabricated/machined components.

• Strong practical problem-solving skills.

• Previous Leading Hand, Senior Tradesperson or supervisory experience would be advantageous.

• Good organisational and communication skills.

• A practical, solutions-focused approach.

• The ability to lead by example while remaining hands-on.

• A strong commitment to quality and workplace safety.

Whether your strength is welding and fabrication or fitting, turning and machining, we're interested in talking to experienced tradespeople who are ready to step into a Leading Hand position.

What's On Offer

• Hands-on Leading Hand role within an established engineering business.

• Varied and technically challenging heavy engineering work.

• Opportunity to influence the day-to-day operation of the workshop.

• Work alongside an experienced engineering and workshop team.

• Long-term career opportunity with a growing business.

• Competitive remuneration based on experience.

If you're an experienced Fitter/Turner, Machinist, Welder/Fabricator or Senior Tradesperson who is ready to take on more responsibility and enjoys leading from the front, we'd like to hear from you.

Apply now or contact Michelle Young at Kings Recruitment for a confidential discussion. Contact details are in the header.

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted within 5 working days of receipt of their application.