Manufacturing Team Lead - Sheet Metal

Be yourself at Protolabs Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification.  We are an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to building a diverse team that feels they are valued in the workplace.  So do you feel you do not meet every single requirement but still intrigued? We encourage you to still apply!  You can help make our company even better.  We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, age, mental or physical ability, or any way you represent yourself.  We strongly believe diversity makes for more successful teams.

Why Protolabs? We are the leaders in digital manufacturing. We hire doers, makers, and creative thinkers who tackle our roles with an entrepreneurial spirit. Our culture is centered around meaningful work that brings new and innovative products to market at unprecedented speeds. We are a diverse team that comes from all walks of life and take pride in our team who is smart, genuine, humble, and passionate about what we do. It’s our people who fuel our creativity and make our culture feel like home.

Join our team as a Manufacturing Team Lead - Sheet Metal! Shift: Monday - Friday (6 am - 2 pm)

Take the lead in a hands-on manufacturing environment where you'll help drive safety, quality, productivity, and team success. The Manufacturing Team Lead coordinates daily shift activities, supports CNC machining operations, and provides technical guidance to ensure production goals are met. This role is responsible for organizing workloads, training and developing team members, promoting a culture of accountability and continuous improvement, and partnering with supervisors and cross-functional teams to deliver exceptional operational performance. Ideal candidates are strong communicators, natural problem-solvers, and passionate about helping teams grow while maintaining high standards of safety, efficiency, and quality.

What You Will Do:

Perform and support all Laser, Punching, Deburring, Countersinking, and Tapping operations to meet production and quality standards.

Set up and operate equipment by loading programs, performing tool changes, setting tooling, and making machine offset adjustments as needed.

Champion a culture of safety, quality, and accountability by adhering to and enforcing all company safety procedures, quality standards, and housekeeping practices.

Collaborate with supervisors, team leads, and cross-functional partners to coordinate production activities across shifts and communicate updates during daily and weekly meetings.

Organize, plan, and prioritize daily workflow to ensure efficient operations and on-time production.

Establish production schedules and work assignments to achieve operational and throughput goals.

Identify, recommend, and implement process improvements that enhance productivity, quality, equipment performance, and overall efficiency.

Serve as a technical resource by providing guidance and expertise on manufacturing processes, systems, and equipment.

Foster a positive team environment built on trust, respect, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Assess training needs and deliver instruction on equipment operation, work procedures, and safety practices.

Monitor employee performance and provide real-time coaching, feedback, and technical support.

Motivate team members to achieve productivity targets, quality expectations, and production deadlines.

Partner with leadership by providing input and feedback for employee performance evaluations.

Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment with a focus on quality, efficiency, and lean manufacturing principles.

Continuously seek opportunities to improve processes, productivity, and personal performance.

Follow all company policies, procedures, and operational requirements.

Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

What You Bring:

High School diploma or equivalent work experience

3+ years of experience in a manufacturing or similar environment

Previous manufacturing leadership experience preferred

Exceptional leadership, communication, coaching, and conflict resolution skills

Demonstrated ability to lead and develop teams

Knowledge of production processes, quality controls, and other techniques in the functional areas

Able to work in a fast-paced, team oriented work environment

Able to communicate clearly with a wide variety of people

Good written and oral communication skills

Strong attention to detail

Strong problem solving skills

What's In It For You:

We offer a competitive salary and total rewards package

We offer amazing benefits including but not limited to:

Health Insurance: Traditional OR High Deductible plan

Flexible Spending Accounts

Health Savings Account (including employer contributions)

Dental and Vision

Basic and Supplemental Life Insurance

Short-Term and Long-Term Disability

Paid caregiver leave

You will receive at least 3 weeks of PTO + Wellness + Holiday Pay + Volunteer Hours

401k with company match and immediate vest

Employee Stock Purchase Program at a discounted rate

Matching grants through Protolabs foundation

And More!

Proto Labs maintains ITAR-compliant operations in all of our United States based facilities. Due to ITAR regulations, this role is only open to U.S. Citizens, lawful permanent residents (green card holders) or foreign nationals granted refugee or asylee status. Individuals with temporary visas (e.g. E, F-1, H-1, H-2, L, B, J, TN or OPT) are not eligible for hire in this role.

Proto Labs, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Physical Demands: While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use a computer keyboard, monitor and mouse, telephone and printer; reach with hands, and arms, talk, see and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, stoop or kneel and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Work Environment: Indoors (A/C); nonsmoking; the majority of this job function is performed in an office setting requiring normal safety precautions. However, there may be job duties that require the employee to spend time in the manufacturing areas exposed to machinery and noise; eye protection occasionally required. Occasionally works in outside weather conditions. Occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.