Machine Shop Team Leader

New Appointments Group; Whitstable; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency is seeking a hands-on Production Supervisor to lead a team in a Machine Shop in Whitstable. The ideal candidate should have experience in manufacturing with team leadership skills, strong Health & Safety awareness, and the ability to work towards KPIs. Responsibilities include planning daily workloads, managing team performance, overseeing safety processes, and ensuring quality standards. This is a full-time position focused on maintaining high operational standards and delivering results.

Qualifications

• Experience in a manufacturing/production environment with previous team leadership.
• Ability to work to KPIs (Safety, Quality, Delivery).
• Capable of reading CAD drawings and completing First Off inspections.

Responsibilities

• Plan and organise daily workload and ensure schedules are achieved.
• Lead the team, manage tasks, holidays, and maintain a trained workforce.
• Oversee Health & Safety processes and resolve quality issues.

Skills

Team leadership

Strong Health & Safety awareness

Organisational skills

Planning

Communication skills

Coaching skills

Education

GCSE-level education

Tools

Microsoft Office

MRP/ERP systems

Job description

Production Supervisor - Machine Shop

Location: Whitstable

Full time position

We are looking for a hands‑on Production Supervisor to lead a team of Operators within our Machine Shop. You will ensure daily production targets are met safely, on time and to the required quality standards, while driving KPI performance and maintaining a trained, motivated and flexible workforce.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and organise daily workload, allocate resources and ensure production schedules, OTD, quality and arrears KPIs are achieved.
• Work closely with Planning to meet production requirements.
• Lead and support your team: delegate tasks, manage holidays, sickness, absence and ensure effective skill coverage across the cell.
• Maintain skills matrices and ensure Operators (including temps) are fully trained.
• Oversee Health & Safety processes including accidents/near misses, Risk Assessments and COSHH.
• Identify and resolve quality issues including scrap, rework and NRFT; support continuous improvement.
• Complete daily KPI boards, review performance with the team and follow up improvement actions.
• Set and run machinery safely; ensure First Off and in‑process inspections are completed.
• Deliver team briefs and toolbox talks.
• Manage engineering support requests and maintain high housekeeping standards (5C).
• Ensure all employees, visitors and contractors follow safety procedures and PPE requirements.
• ise for the Production Manager when required.

About You

Essential

• GCSE‑level education.
• Experience in a manufacturing/production environment with previous team leadership.
• Strong Health & Safety awareness and understanding of manufacturing processes and quality systems.
• Ability to work to KPIs (Safety, Quality, Delivery).
• Capable of reading CAD drawings and completing First Off inspections.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and familiar with MRP/ERP systems.
• Strong organisational, planning, communication and coaching skills.
• Confident in managing performance, resolving issues and coordinating team priorities.

Desirable

• Experience deputising for a Production Manager.
• Involvement in recruitment.
• Knowledge of 5S/lean principles and training documentation.
• Component knowledge and experience managing engineering support requests.

If you're a proactive supervisor who can lead a team, maintain high standards and deliver results, we'd like to hear from you.

CV's in Word format to be sent to (url removed)

We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment in line with the Equality Act 2010. All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. New Appointments Group acts as an Employment Agency for permanent roles and as an Employment Business for temporary roles.