Operations Team Lead, Operations Team Lead

Pilgrim's Europe; Craigavon; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Pilgrim's Europe in Craigavon is recruiting an Operations Team Lead to oversee a production team, drive safety, quality and efficiency, and support continuous improvement on site. The role emphasizes people leadership, problem solving, and delivering KPI targets in a fast-paced FMCG setting.

You'll manage KPIs, develop staff, collaborate with engineering, HR and planning, and foster an inclusive, high-performing environment while implementing Lean improvements and ensuring compliance with food

Qualifications

• Proven people management experience or supervisory/leadership role in production.
• Strong communication and organisational skills.
• Comfortable with KPIs, quality standards and technical documentation.
• Computer literate with working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Self-motivated with a hands-on, proactive approach.
• Background in FMCG or food manufacturing is desirable.
• HACCP and Health & Safety qualifications are desirable.
• Experience leading or supporting continuous improvement initiatives.
• Leadership or management qualifications are desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead and engage your production team to deliver results in a safe, efficient and high-performing environment
• Own and drive key performance metrics: safety, technical compliance, production efficiency, labour utilisation, and customer service
• Proactively manage and improve standards for food safety, quality, and hygiene
• Carry out investigations, audits, and performance reviews to ensure a culture of accountability and excellence
• Collaborate cross-functionally with departments like Technical, Engineering, HR, and Planning
• Champion a positive, inclusive working environment, promoting communication, engagement, and continuous development
• Support and embed Continuous Improvement and Lean principles across your team

Skills

People management

Team leadership

Communication

Organisational skills

KPIs

Quality standards

Technical documentation

Microsoft Office

Proactive

Job description

Ready to lead with purpose and make a real impact? Join Pilgrim's Europe as an Operations Team Lead at our Craigavon site, and take the next step in your leadership journey with one of the UK’s leading food manufacturing companies

Location: Craigavon

Various Shifts Available: Monday to Friday - Evening Shift - 16:00 - 00:00

Contract Type: Permanent, Full-time, Monthly Paid

About The Role

As an Operations Team Lead, you’ll be at the heart of our production operations — managing a team of production operatives and ensuring that performance targets across safety, quality, technical, service, and people management are met and exceeded. You’ll play a key role in delivering our KPIs and supporting continuous improvement across the site.

What You'll Do

• Lead and engage your production team to deliver results in a safe, efficient and high-performing environment
• Own and drive key performance metrics: safety, technical compliance, production efficiency, labour utilisation, and customer service
• Proactively manage and improve standards for food safety, quality, and hygiene
• Carry out investigations, audits, and performance reviews to ensure a culture of accountability and excellence
• Collaborate cross-functionally with departments like Technical, Engineering, HR, and Planning
• Champion a positive, inclusive working environment, promoting communication, engagement, and continuous development
• Support and embed Continuous Improvement and Lean principles across your team

Essential

What We’re Looking For

• Proven people management experience OR experience in a supervisory/leadership role within production
• Strong communication and organisational skills
• Comfortable working with KPIs, quality standards, and technical documentation
• Computer literate with working knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Self-motivated with a hands‑on, proactive approach

Desirable

• Background in FMCG or food manufacturing
• HACCP and Health & Safety qualifications
• Experience leading or supporting continuous improvement initiatives
• Leadership or management qualifications