Job Purpose
The Production Team Leader is the senior shop-floor leadership role on site, following the phase-out of the standalone Production Supervisor position. The role owns end-to-end leadership of the shift-based production team, ensuring output, quality, food safety, and health & safety standards are consistently met across the full shift, and deputises for the Production Manager in their absence. The Team Leader translates the production plan into safe, efficient, on-time execution, holds full accountability for shift performance, and provides coaching and direction to Production Operatives.
Key Responsibilities
- Take full ownership of shift-level leadership and supervision across the production team, including responsibilities previously held at Production Supervisor level, to meet Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery and People (SQCDP) targets.
- Plan and allocate labour across the shift/lines in line with the production schedule, adjusting resource in real time to meet output requirements and covering gaps across the shift as needed.
- Ensure all products are manufactured in accordance with BRCGS, HACCP, and site quality procedures, and that hygiene and GMP standards are maintained throughout the shift.
- Own shift-level health & safety compliance, including toolbox talks, risk assessments, and immediate escalation of near-misses or incidents; act as the senior on-shift point of escalation for H&S matters.
- Monitor, record, and take ownership of line and shift performance (OEE, waste, downtime, cost), identifying root causes and driving continuous improvement using Lean / Six Sigma tools.
- Deputise for the Production Manager during absence or leave, representing Production in cross-functional meetings and taking decisions on shift priorities.
- Carry out return-to-work interviews, absence management, and employee relations casework for the team, escalating to HR where required.
- Deliver on-the-job training, coaching, and skills development for operatives, including induction of new starters and cross-skilling across the line.
- Complete shift handover reports and communicate effectively with the incoming shift and Production Manager, ensuring continuity across shift changeovers.
- Lead recruitment input, onboarding, and performance management (1-2-1s, objective setting, mid-year and end-of-year reviews) for the shift team.
- Ensure correct use, care, and reporting of faults for plant, equipment, and PPE, liaising directly with Engineering on breakdowns and prioritising repairs.
- Champion a positive, engaged team culture and act as a role model for site standards and behaviours, providing the senior operational presence on the shop floor during the shift.
Person Specification
Essential
- Proven experience as a Team Leader, Shift Leader, or Supervisor within a food manufacturing, FMCG, or fast-paced production environment, with demonstrable ownership of a full shift.
- Working knowledge of food safety, hygiene, and quality standards (HACCP, BRCGS, or equivalent).
- Sound understanding of health & safety legislation and safe systems of work, with experience acting as the senior on-shift escalation point.
- Strong people-management skills, with experience motivating, coaching, and holding teams accountable, including ER casework.
- Numerate and comfortable working with production data, KPIs, and basic reporting (Excel / ERP systems).
- Clear, confident communicator across all levels of the site, able to represent Production in the Production Manager's absence.
Desirable
- Lean Six Sigma / Continuous Improvement training.
- IOSH Managing Safely or NEBOSH qualification.
- Experience in a chilled / ambient food production or fresh food environment.
- Formal supervisory or management qualification (ILM Level 3 or equivalent).
- Prior experience operating at Production Supervisor level or equivalent.
Key Relationships
- Production Manager (line manager)
- Site Manager and Operations Director
- Engineering, Warehouse, Quality/Technical, and HR teams
- Production Operatives and shift colleagues
Benefits:
- Canteen
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Free flu jabs
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
- Referral programme
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
