Assembly Production Supervisor

VanRath; Antrim; On-site; Full time

Job summary

A leading manufacturer of PVC-U windows and doors is seeking a Production Supervisor for their Antrim facility. The role involves leading a shift team, ensuring quality and efficiency in production processes, and applying lean manufacturing principles. Candidates should have proven experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment, strong people management skills, and a solid understanding of health and safety standards.

Qualifications

• Proven experience supervising a manufacturing/assembly team.
• Strong understanding of lean manufacturing tools and production KPIs.
• Flexibility to work a rotating shift pattern.

Responsibilities

• Lead a shift team of 15-25 operators across production lines.
• Control critical process parameters to ensure quality standards.
• Monitor KPIs and drive improvements using lean tools.

Skills

Supervising manufacturing team

Lean manufacturing tools

People management

Communication

Conflict resolution

H&S standards

Production tracking systems

Education

NVQ Level 3/ONC in Engineering/Manufacturing

IOSH Managing Safely (desirable)

Job description

VANRATH are delighted to be assisting a Major Client with the Recruitment of a Line Leader based in their Antrim Offices.

Job Role: Production Supervisor

Location: Antrim, Steeple Road Site
Shift Pattern:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 7am -4:30pm / 7-1:15pm Friday
Contract: Full‑time, permanent, 40 hours per week
Salary: £15.50 per hour

About
This Company is one of the UK & Ireland's leading manufacturers of PVC‑U windows, doors and building products, is expanding its high‑performance production facility in Antrim. We're looking for a hands‑on Production Supervisor to lead a busy shift team and help us maintain the quality, efficiency and safety standards.

The Role

• Lead a shift team of 15-25 operators across glass‑cutting, toughening, laminating and insulated‑glass‑unit (IGU) assembly lines, ensuring safe, efficient flow from raw sheet to finished sealed units.
• Plan daily glass‑cut lists and furnace loads using our optimisation software, balancing yield, cycle time and energy consumption while meeting OTIF targets.
• Control critical process parameters (edge deletion depth, furnace temperature profiles, spacer application, gas‑fill levels) and intervene quickly to prevent quality escapes.
• Monitor KPIs such as breakage rate, reject % by defect code, OEE and labour utilisation; launch 5 Why / fish‑bone investigations and Kaizen events to drive scrap reduction.
• Champion H&S in a high‑risk environment: enforce hot‑glass, manual‑handling and crane‑lifting procedures; deliver toolbox talks on safe edge‑working and PPE compliance; uphold ISO 45001 standards.
• Quality assurance: sign off first‑article samples, oversee destructive testing (e.g., soak‑test on tempered units), and liaise with QA on EN 1279 & BS EN 12150 conformity.
• Coordinate with Maintenance & Engineering for furnace calibrations, autoclave checks and downtime recovery; support new glass‑technology introductions (e.g., warm‑edge spacer lines, low‑E coatings).
• Provide clear shift handovers and production reports, highlighting throughput, defects, downtime causes and corrective actions; coach and develop team members with skills matrices and PDPs.

About You

• Proven experience supervising a manufacturing/assembly team (plastics, window & door, FMCG or similar high‑volume environment).
• Solid understanding of lean manufacturing tools and production KPIs.
• Strong people‑management, communication and conflict‑resolution skills.
• Working knowledge of H&S and quality standards (ISO 9001, ISO 14001).
• IT‑confident: able to use production tracking systems and MS Office.
• Flexibility to work a rotating shift pattern (early/late) and occasional weekend overtime.
• NVQ Level 3/ONC in Engineering/Manufacturing, or equivalent experience. IOSH Managing Safely is desirable.

For more information on this role please click apply and we will reach out to you confidentially.

INDPD

''I found Vanrath very professional from the off, they took the time to understand my background and experience only putting me forward for Jobs, that were suitable both with respect to my experience and abilities as well as my intended career direction.''

''VANRATH were extremely supportive throughout the recruitment process and answered any queries I had, whilst keeping me informed of progress the entire time. This provided me with more confidence going into the interviews and helped me to secure my new role. Highly recommend!''

''Had a brilliant experience with Vanrath, after having used many other recruiters in the past VANRATH really listened to what type of role I wanted and made the whole process very smooth and easy!''