Chief sobs uncontrollably (4)
I believe the answer is:
boss
'chief' is the definition.
(I know that chief can be written as boss)
'sobs uncontrollably' is the wordplay.
'uncontrollably' indicates anagramming the letters (I've seen this in other clues).
'sobs' with letters rearranged gives 'BOSS'.
(Other definitions for boss that I've seen before include "designer" , "Take charge of" , "Leader - knob on shield" , "Person managing" , "One in charge; stud" .)