Team Lead

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse team. We encourage applications from candidates who may not meet every qualification but are intrigued by the role.

About the role

As a Team Lead in the SLS Finishing department, you will oversee daily production operations, partnering with Seniors to prioritize and delegate work to meet ship dates while upholding quality and compliance standards. You will track and improve key quality metrics, coach and assess team performance, and manage training and quality documentation. This role involves reviewing defects, initiating rebuilds, liaising across departments, troubleshooting equipment issues, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Manage production workflow during shift and delegate jobs to ensure timely completion and prioritization to meet ship dates.
• Track quality metrics (send-backs, rebuilds, customer complaints) and collaborate with the Supervisor to improve them.
• Monitor and assess daily team performance, providing feedback and reporting concerns to the Supervisor.
• Ensure compliance and high quality in team processes, seeking continuous improvements.
• Exemplify and communicate departmental and company policies and procedures.
• Manage training records and quality control documents in Learn and M-Files.
• Coordinate team to-do lists and end-of-day duties to ensure timely completion.
• Review and CQE defective parts, including tolerance issues, and initiate rebuilds as needed.
• Serve as a subject-matter expert for the team, backing up other roles as needed.
• Act as a liaison between departments to maintain consistent workflow.
• Assist Supervisor with staffing, hiring, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Attend daily/weekly meetings for updates and status reports.
• Report equipment concerns, troubleshoot minor issues, and perform light maintenance.
• Maintain a clean and safe production environment, restock supplies, and dispose of contaminated materials.
• Champion all Protolabs Safety and Quality policies, including proper use of PPE and compliance training.
• Maintain collaborative and respectful working relationships.
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in a Protolabs additive manufacturing production department or 3 years of relatable manufacturing experience.
• Demonstrated leadership ability.
• Ability to identify scheduling constraints and communicate effectively with Production Management to minimize lead time.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work safely with sharp tools/objects (e.g., hobby knives, utility knives, files, abrasives, rotary tools).
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to teach, train, and coach others effectively.
• Fluent in reading and writing English and basic arithmetic.
• Proficient in computer use and Windows software.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and planning skills.
• Ability to follow and give directions effectively.
• Ability to make precisely coordinated movements with fingers to handle small objects.
• Excellent punctuality.
• Wear all required PPE (e.g., gloves, lab coats).

Preferred Qualifications

• 6+ months of experience in a Senior role within production (internally).
• 1+ years as a trainer in a manufacturing environment.

Benefits

• Competitive salary.
• Health Insurance: Traditional or High Deductible plan.
• Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Account (including employer contributions).
• Dental and Vision coverage.
• Basic and Supplemental Life Insurance.
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability.
• Paid caregiver leave.
• 3 weeks of PTO, plus Holiday Pay and Volunteer Hours.
• 401k with company match and immediate vesting.
• Employee Stock Purchase Program at a 15% discount.
• Matching grants through the Protolabs Foundation.

Pay

$26.54 - $32.74 an hour. Compensation may vary based on factors such as job function, experience, skills, training, education, and certifications.

Schedule

Monday - Friday, 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM.

Physical Demands

• Occasionally required to sit, use a computer, telephone, and printer.
• Regularly required to stand, walk, stoop, or kneel.
• Must be able to lift and/or move up to 70 pounds.

Work Environment

• Indoors (A/C), nonsmoking, primarily in a manufacturing area exposed to machinery and noise (eye protection and safety shoes required).
• Occasional exposure to outside weather conditions, moving mechanical parts, high/precarious places, wet/humid conditions, fumes, airborne particles, toxic/caustic chemicals, electrical shock risk, and vibration.
• Noise level ranges from quiet to moderate.

Proto Labs maintains ITAR-compliant operations. This role is open only to U.S. Citizens, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), or foreign nationals granted refugee or asylee status. Individuals with temporary visas are not eligible.