Manufacturing Cell Leader - Early Shift

HealthboxHR; Salisbury; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Chemring Countermeasures is seeking a Manufacturing Cell Leader to guide a production team in delivering safe, high-quality product in a regulated environment. You will collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Planning, and Maintenance to meet targets and maintain standards.

You will develop team capability, drive continuous improvement, and foster accountability and engagement across shifts, using Lean tools and coaching to achieve cost, delivery, and safety goals.

Qualifications

• Supervise a production team in a manufacturing setting.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong communication and people management skills.
• Experience handling employee performance, attendance, and relations matters.
• Proficient IT skills, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Commitment to safety, quality, and operational excellence.
• Ability to influence at all levels and wear full PPE.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate, and develop a team of production operatives to achieve operational objectives.
• Ensure compliance with Health, Safety, Environmental, Quality, and Company requirements.
• Deliver production plans and manage performance against safety, quality, delivery, and cost targets.
• Coach and support employees through training, development, and performance management activities.
• Lead continuous improvement projects using Lean tools and problem-solving techniques.
• Manage attendance, conduct, performance, and employee relations matters.
• Monitor KPIs and identify opportunities to improve operational performance.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, and Planning to resolve issues and improve efficiency.
• Support workforce planning, resource allocation, and shift handovers.

Skills

Leadership experience

Lean manufacturing

Communication

Performance management

Excel / Office

Problem solving

Safety focus

Stakeholder engagement

PPE handling

Job description

Manufacturing Cell Leader - Early Shift, £32,519.00 - £38,258.00

Employment Type

Full Time

Application Start Date

04-11-2026

Application End Date

18-11-2026

Work Style

On-site

Manufacturing other marine MFG and services

Category

Operations

Position

Assembly/assembly line

Experience

.

Education

.

Description

Manufacturing Cell Leader - Early Shift

Chemring Countermeasures is a world-leading designer and manufacturer of advanced countermeasure solutions, protecting armed forces around the globe. As part of the Chemring Group, we combine the agility and innovation of a specialist manufacturer with the strength, stability, and opportunities of an international organisation.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Manufacturing Cell Leader to join our Operations team. This role is ideal for an experienced manufacturing leader who is passionate about developing people, driving operational performance, and leading continuous improvement activities within a highly regulated manufacturing environment.

Overview of the Role

As a Manufacturing Cell Leader, you will be responsible for leading a production team to deliver safe, high-quality products in line with operational requirements. Working closely with Production, Engineering, Quality, Planning, and Maintenance functions, you will ensure production targets are achieved while maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality, and compliance.

You will play a key role in developing team capability, driving business performance, supporting continuous improvement initiatives, and creating a culture of accountability, engagement, and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate, and develop a team of production operatives to achieve operational objectives.
• Ensure compliance with all Health, Safety, Environmental, Quality, and Company requirements.
• Deliver production plans and manage performance against safety, quality, delivery, and cost targets.
• Coach and support employees through training, development, and performance management activities.
• Lead continuous improvement projects using Lean Manufacturing tools and problem-solving techniques.
• Manage attendance, conduct, performance, and employee relations matters in line with company procedures.
• Monitor and communicate departmental KPIs, identifying opportunities to improve operational performance.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, and Planning teams to resolve manufacturing issues and improve efficiency.
• Support workforce planning, resource allocation, and shift handovers to ensure continuity of operations.
• Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork, engagement, and operational excellence across the manufacturing environment.

Essential Qualifications, Skills and/or Experience

• Previous supervisory or team leadership experience within a manufacturing or production environment.
• Experience of Lean Manufacturing techniques and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong communication, coaching, and people management skills.
• Experience managing employee performance, attendance, and employee relations matters.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Commitment to safety, quality, and operational excellence.
• Ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to wear full PPE within the operational environment.

Desirable Qualifications, Skills and/or Experience

• Experience working within a highly regulated manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of operational KPI reporting and performance management systems.
• Formal leadership or management training.
• Experience leading cross-functional improvement projects.
• Understanding of root cause analysis and structured problem-solving techniques.
• Experience supporting audit and compliance activities.

Disclaimer

Due to the nature of this business, you will be required to complete mandatory drugs and alcohol testing (upon starting and randomly thereafter) and complete security to a BPSS (DBS and reference check) standard prior to starting in accordance with the Explosive Regulation Act 2014. Do you accept this? * Required

I certify that the information contained in this application is correct to the best of my knowledge. I understand that to falsify information is grounds for refusing to hire me, or for discharge should I be hired.