Manufacturing Team Leader

First Base; Derby; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

First Base is recruiting a Manufacturing Team Leader to join our Derby site on the day shift. You will lead a manufacturing team to ensure production, quality, safety and delivery targets are met, while supporting the Manufacturing Manager in daily operations.

The role requires aerospace manufacturing experience, at least three years in a supervisory role, and a strong grasp of shop floor processes, drawings, and LEAN/CI. You will drive continuous improvement and coach the team.

Qualifications

• Previous aerospace manufacturing experience or compliance with aerospace standards.
• At least 3 years in a supervisory or team leader role.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and shop floor operations.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings.
• Experience leading teams in fast-paced manufacturing environments.
• Experience managing production performance, workload and resources.
• Strong organisational, communication and problem-solving skills.
• Good understanding of health and safety in manufacturing.
• Understanding of SQCDP, LEAN and continuous improvement principles.
• A positive leader who demonstrates integrity, respect, safety and excellence.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise the manufacturing team to achieve production, quality, safety and delivery targets.
• Support the Manufacturing Manager in day-to-day running of the department.
• Conduct daily shop floor walks, engaging with the team and addressing operational issues promptly.
• Manage departmental scheduling, workload priorities and resource requirements to ensure production targets are achieved.
• Monitor team performance, provide real-time feedback and coaching of team members.
• Analyse KPIs and present production, quality, EHS and capacity information through SQCDP metrics.
• Promote a strong health and safety culture through hazard spotting and safety observations.
• Ensure adherence to work instructions, aerospace standards and company procedures; act as first point of contact for technical issues.
• Apply structured problem-solving to identify root causes and improve process capability, quality and performance.
• Manage throughput of work to achieve OTIF targets.
• Generate and review production data to ensure planned times are accurate and tasks completed on time.
• Maintain tooling storage and replenishment systems.
• Allocate work according to production priorities and scheduling requirements.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing Engineering and Technical teams to resolve quality issues and implement corrective actions.
• Support training and development of team members.
• Manage recruitment, onboarding, absence management and performance management.
• Lead weekly Gemba meetings and support LEAN and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Maintain clear communication and documentation for smooth operational continuity.
• Support audits by maintaining clean, organized and compliant environments.

Skills

Aerospace manufacturing

Team leadership

Shop floor operations

Engineering drawings

LEAN principles

Health & safety

Job description

Manufacturing Team Leader (Day Shift)

Location: Derby

Hours: Permanent, 39 hours per week

Day Shift:

Monday to Thursday: Flexible start between 7:00am and 8:00am, with a flexible finish between 4:00pm and 5:00pm

Friday: Flexible start between 7:00am and 8:00am, finishing at 12:00pm

Salary: Up to £46,000 per annum

We are recruiting for a Manufacturing Team Leader to join a growing manufacturing business in Derby. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced manufacturing professional with strong leadership skills to take responsibility for a manufacturing team, ensuring production, quality, safety and delivery targets are achieved while supporting and developing the team.

Key Responsibilities of a Manufacturing Team Leader:

• Lead and supervise the manufacturing team to achieve production, quality, safety and delivery targets.
• Support the Manufacturing Manager in the day-to-day running of the department.
• Conduct daily shop floor walks, engaging with the team and addressing operational issues promptly.
• Manage departmental scheduling, workload priorities and resource requirements to ensure production targets are achieved.
• Monitor team performance, provide real-time feedback and support the ongoing development and coaching of team members.
• Analyse key performance indicators and present production, quality, EHS and capacity information through SQCDP metrics.
• Promote a strong health and safety culture through hazard spotting, job safety observations and continuous improvement activities.
• Ensure adherence to work instructions, aerospace standards and company procedures, acting as the first point of contact for technical issues.
• Apply structured problem-solving methodologies to identify root causes and improve process capability, quality and operational performance.
• Manage throughput of work in priority order to achieve OTIF targets.
• Generate and review production data to ensure planned times are accurate and team members complete work within allocated timescales.
• Maintain effective systems for the maintenance, storage and replenishment of tooling.
• Allocate work according to production priorities and scheduling requirements.
• Work closely with Manufacturing Engineering and Technical teams to resolve quality issues and implement corrective actions.
• Support the training and development of team members in line with agreed training plans.
• Manage people-related procedures including recruitment, onboarding, absence management and performance management.
• Lead weekly Gemba meetings and support LEAN and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Maintain clear communication and documentation to ensure smooth operational continuity.
• Support internal and external audits by maintaining clean, organised and compliant working environments.

Key Skills of a Manufacturing Team Leader:

• Previous experience working within an aerospace manufacturing environment or to aerospace standards.
• At least three years' experience in a similar supervisory or team leader position.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and shop floor operations.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings.
• Experience of leading teams within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Experience managing production performance, workload and resource requirements.
• Strong organisational, communication and problem-solving skills.
• Good understanding of health and safety within manufacturing.
• Understanding of SQCDP, LEAN and continuous improvement principles.
• A positive leader who demonstrates integrity, respect, safety and excellence.

First Base Employment is acting as a recruitment agency in relation to this vacancy.