Graduate Shift Manager

Step; Northampton; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Step in Northampton is seeking a Graduate Shift Manager to lead manufacturing operations on a 3-week rotating shift. The role focuses on safety, continuous improvement, and people development while ensuring efficient production planning and execution.

You will drive performance, mentor teams, and collaborate with planning, engineering, and dispatch to optimise output and quality. This is a full-time permanent position offering clear career progression within a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Degree in engineering, manufacturing, operations, business management or supply chain is preferred.
• Proven leadership experience in manufacturing environments.
• Strong organisational and communication skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate, and develop production teams to achieve operational objectives.
• Promote and embed a strong health and safety culture across all areas of responsibility.
• Manage recruitment, onboarding, performance management, training, and employee development activities.
• Monitor team, equipment, and production performance, implementing corrective and preventative actions where required.
• Coordinate day-to-day production activities to maximise productivity and minimise bottlenecks.
• Ensure effective communication between production, planning, engineering, customer service, and dispatch teams.
• Work closely with engineering colleagues to plan maintenance activities and improve equipment reliability.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and drive operational efficiencies.
• Monitor resource utilisation, production costs, quality standards, and operational performance.
• Support the delivery of excellent customer service through effective production planning and execution.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Performance management

Organisation

Communication

Problem solving

IT skills

Education

Engineering / Manufacturing / Operations degree

Tools

Lean Manufacturing knowledge

Job description

Graduate Shift Manager - Manufacturing

Northampton Full time Permanent 3-week rotating shift pattern

Salary: £38,000 - £48,000

About the Opportunity

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated Graduate Shift Manager to join a fast-paced manufacturing operation. This role is ideal for a strong leader with a passion for safety, continuous improvement, people development, and operational excellence.

In this role, you will be responsible for leading production teams, ensuring the smooth flow of operations, optimising resources and driving performance across the manufacturing environment. You will play a key role in maintaining high standards of safety, quality, efficiency and customer service.

About the Company

This established manufacturing business is a recognised leader within its sector, supplying high-quality products and solutions to a diverse customer base. With a strong focus on safety, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction, the organisation invests heavily in its people, encourages continuous improvement, and provides opportunities for career development within a collaborative and fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate, and develop production teams to achieve operational objectives.
• Promote and embed a strong health and safety culture across all areas of responsibility.
• Manage recruitment, onboarding, performance management, training, and employee development activities.
• Monitor team, equipment, and production performance, implementing corrective and preventative actions where required.
• Coordinate day-to-day production activities to maximise productivity and minimise bottlenecks.
• Ensure effective communication between production, planning, engineering, customer service, and dispatch teams.
• Work closely with engineering colleagues to plan maintenance activities and improve equipment reliability.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and drive operational efficiencies.
• Monitor resource utilisation, production costs, quality standards, and operational performance.
• Support the delivery of excellent customer service through effective production planning and execution.

About You

We are looking for a proactive and resilient leader who can inspire and engage teams while thriving in a dynamic manufacturing environment. You will need to have a strong willingness to learn and develop yourself in order to support others. Additionally, ability to carry various responsibilities and effectively manage priorities is key. Applicants with degrees in engineering, manufacturing, operations, business management or supply chain and logistics may be well aligned to the role.

Essential Requirements

• Leadership experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong people management and team leadership skills.
• Experience managing performance, coaching, and developing others.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and a continuous improvement mindset.
• Good IT Skills, in Microsoft Office.
• Ability to work under pressure and deliver results against targets.

Desirable Requirements

• Experience within the paper, packaging, or wider manufacturing industry.
• Lean Manufacturing training or qualifications.
• Knowledge of production planning, logistics, and operational processes.

If you're a motivated graduate or early-career professional looking for a role that combines strong leadership, technical problem-solving, manufacturing and a passion for efficiency, we'd love to hear from you.