Production Manager

Ruth Wagstaff Recruitment; Coventry; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare

Pension up to 10%

Career progression

7.5% annual bonus

Shift allowance 23.5%

Job summary

Ruth Wagstaff Recruitment is recruiting for a Production Shift Manager for a global food manufacturer in Coventry. The role operates 12-hour shifts (4 on, 4 off, 4 nights on, 4 off) with a salary around £45k base plus a 23.5% shift allowance and a 7.5% bonus, plus private healthcare and a pension with up to 10% company contribution.

You will lead a frontline team of about 50, focusing on safety, quality, people and operational performance in a fast-paced facility.

Qualifications

• At least 3 years' experience directly managing frontline teams.
• Strong people leadership, coaching and performance management skills.
• Experience in fast-paced manufacturing environment preferred.
• Willingness to work 12-hour shifts (days and nights).

Responsibilities

• Leading, coaching and developing a team of 40-60 people.
• Driving safety, quality, GMP and operational standards.
• Managing attendance, conduct and performance.
• Developing capability through coaching and effective 1-to-1s.
• Using operational data and structured problem-solving to improve performance.
• Making confident decisions in complex or fast-moving situations.
• Supporting continuous improvement across the operation.

Skills

People leadership

Coaching

Performance management

Job description

Are you an experienced Manufacturing / Production Shift Manager looking for a role where you can genuinely lead, develop people and take ownership?

We're recruiting for Production Shift Managers for a global food manufacturer at their large manufacturing facility in Coventry.

12-hour shifts: (4 Days on, 4 off, 4 Nights on, 4 off) (6-6)

Salary & Benefits

• c£45k basic salary
• +23.5% shift allowance (Approx c£56k/yr)
• 7.5% annual bonus
• Private healthcare
• Pension with up to 10% company contribution
• Excellent career development and internal progression

You'll lead a frontline team of approximately 50 people, taking responsibility for safety, quality, people and operational performance within a large-scale, fast-paced manufacturing environment.

People leadership is at the heart of the role. You'll coach and develop your team, manage performance, set clear expectations and create an environment where people are empowered to perform at their best.

You'll also have real autonomy. Particularly when working nights, you'll need the confidence to solve problems, take ownership and make effective decisions without always having senior management immediately available.

Key responsibilities of the Production Shift Manager include:

• Leading, coaching and developing a team of 40-60 people
• Driving safety, quality, GMP and operational standards
• Managing attendance, conduct and performance
• Developing capability through coaching and effective 1-to-1s
• Using operational data and structured problem-solving to improve performance
• Making confident decisions in complex or fast-moving situations
• Supporting continuous improvement across the operation

What We’re Looking For

Food manufacturing experience is not essential.

We're interested in experienced leaders from food / FMCG, automotive, aerospace, engineering, process, and other complex production environments.

You’ll need at least 3 years' experience directly managing frontline teams, together with strong people leadership, coaching and performance management skills. You’ll be comfortable taking ownership, making decisions under pressure and using data to improve operational performance.