Operations Team Leader - Oswestry

Arla Foods Deutschland GmbH; Oswestry; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A renowned dairy producer in Oswestry is seeking a Shift Lead to head the Operations team at their cheese packaging facility. The Shift Lead will oversee a team of 10 to 20, ensuring operational excellence through compliance with safety standards and optimising production processes. Ideal candidates will have strong people skills and experience in fast-paced environments. This role offers various benefits including annual pay reviews and a pension scheme.

Benefits

Annual Pay review

Employer pension matched up to 6%

4x annual life salary assurance

Flexible Benefits

Commitment to training and development

Access to discounted products

Qualifications

• Basic understanding of food manufacturing/FMCG.
• Experience managing large teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of Lean Principles preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage performance, safety, quality and cost savings.
• Deliver operational plans and set team objectives.
• Ensure compliance with safety and quality standards.

Skills

Excellent people skills

High enthusiasm

Problem solving

Tools

Six Sigma

Job description

Shift based role, 3 on 3 off (days & nights)

Arla Foods are looking for a Shift Lead to join the Operations team at our Oswestry Cheese Packaging Facility in Shropshire to manage between 10 and 20 direct reports.

What We Offer

• Annual Pay review
• Employer pension matched up to 6% (12% total contributory)
• 4 x annual life salary assurance
• Flexible Benefits- buy additional annual leave, reward gateway scheme- discounts with various retailers via my benefit platform.
• People agenda commitment to training and development
• Access to discounted Arla products

How will you make an impact?

This is an exciting opportunity which reports into the Core Team Leader. As a Team Leader, you will be responsible for managing performance, safety, quality and cost savings. You will be delivering operational plans and setting day to day team objectives including delivery of the site business plan and resolving any day to day issues/escalation points.

• Ensuring a safe, clean, and efficient working environment: Utilising 5S principles, implementing and monitoring GMP standards, and ensuring compliance with Arla’s standards in terms of Food Safety, H&S, and Environment through internal audits.
• Supporting team development and performance: Assisting the team to achieve their objectives through training, coaching, hands‑on support, and resource organisation, while managing direct reports including investigations and performance management.
• Optimising production processes: Ensuring a cost‑efficient and stable production process with emphasis on SIC/KPI, working closely with the M&E team leader to resolve technical issues promptly, and contributing to the development and continuous improvement of current processes and ways of working.
• Driving departmental performance: Implementing the department Business Plan, conducting walking tours and process confirmation, enabling daily direction setting meetings (DDS), and challenging processes and practices to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Ensuring alignment and compliance: Working closely with the M&E team leader to ensure full alignment on performance, resolving technical issues promptly, and ensuring compliance with Arla’s standards through internal audits and process confirmations.
  • Responsibility for controlling any emergency issues/situations on site

What will you need to succeed?

We are seeking a Shift Leader with excellent people skills, high levels of enthusiasm and a positive attitude to implementing change and problem solving.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Basic understanding of food manufacturing/FMCG
• Experience managing large teams in a fast‑paced environment
• Knowledge of Lean Principles (Six Sigma qualification) would be preferred.
• Previous experience within an FMCG or dairy industry would be advantageous but not essential as training will be provided.

Things we’d love to tell you about our Oswestry site:

• Our Oswestry site is a best in class cheese packaging facility that cover 8 acres of land and package 350 different types of products.
• We send cheese out to Europe, North America, Africa & Asia. Supplying branded products like Castello, BOB and Arla Pro, along with private label to Waitrose, M&S, Asda & Aldi.
• If we lined up, side‑by‑side, all the 20kg blocks of cheese our Oswestry site process each year, we could plot the entire UK coastline.
• We #feedthenation, producing and delivering 99.8% of our customer orders on time.

How to apply

Please apply using the link or reach out to Jess Thwaite Talent Partner at [e-mail]. The closing date for applications is 22nd September 2025.

Please note we are not partnered with any recruitment agencies for this role. We kindly ask that recruitment agencies do not submit CVs on behalf of candidates for this role, as these CVs will not be considered under the agency ownership and if Arla does progress with any such candidate, this will not amount to acceptance of the agency's terms. We encourage interested individuals to apply directly through our official channels.

Shape the Future of Dairy

Arla is a global leader in the dairy industry, committed to producing high‑quality products while championing sustainability and innovation. We're passionate about people and our planet, striving to unleash the full potential in each of us. Our goal is to make healthy dairy nutrition and good food habits accessible to all. Join us at Arla Foods and become part of a worldwide cooperative dedicated to making a significant impact on the planet and steering the dairy industry towards a sustainable future.

We are devoted to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. Diversity and collaboration are key to our success, propelling us to new heights in the dairy industry.