Production Shift Manager

Vickerstock; Ballymena; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

4 on 4 off

Career development

Large-scale operations exposure

Job summary

Vickerstock, in partnership with a leading dairy manufacturer, are recruiting a Production Shift Manager for their Ballymena site. You will oversee milk intake, processing and site services, lead a production team and drive safety, quality and continuous improvement.

The role requires a third-level qualification and several years in FMCG, strong leadership, KPI discipline and a Lean culture mindset. You will manage schedules, training and handovers, report to site management and deliver

Qualifications

• A third-level qualification in a relevant discipline and at least 2 years' experience in a similar role, or at least 3 years' experience in a related industry such as FMCG or pharmaceuticals.
• Proven experience leading, training and motivating a team.
• Strong knowledge of FMCG manufacturing operations.
• Experience driving continuous improvement and developing a Lean culture.
• A strong understanding of quality, food safety and health and safety compliance.
• Experience using KPIs to drive performance and operational improvements.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving and decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all production activity across milk intake, milk processing and site services.
• Lead, motivate and develop production teams, promoting accountability and high performance.
• Drive operational efficiency, product quality, food safety and health and safety standards.
• Monitor site KPIs and implement improvements to productivity, yield, waste and downtime.
• Identify production bottlenecks and lead continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure plant and equipment are operated, maintained and cleaned effectively.
• Manage production schedules, staffing issues and shift handovers.
• Develop team training plans and ensure procedures and working practices are followed.
• Communicate performance updates and improvement plans to senior management.

Skills

Team leadership

Lean manufacturing

FMCG experience

Quality & safety

KPI driven

Communication

Education

Related degree

Job description

Vickerstock are working in partnership with a leading dairy manufacturing business to recruit a Production Shift Manager for their factory based in the Ballymena area.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the site management team, overseeing production operations across milk intake, processing and services, while leading a team and driving operational performance, safety and continuous improvement.

What's in it for you?

• Opportunity to join a well-established and highly respected food manufacturing business.
• Exposure to large-scale production operations and strategic projects.
• Ongoing professional development and career progression opportunities.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Working Pattern: 4 on, 4 off rota across 7 days.

The Role

• Oversee all production activity across milk intake, milk processing and site services.
• Lead, motivate and develop production teams, promoting accountability and high performance.
• Drive operational efficiency, product quality, food safety and health and safety standards.
• Monitor site KPIs and implement improvements to productivity, yield, waste and downtime.
• Identify production bottlenecks and lead continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure plant and equipment are operated, maintained and cleaned effectively.
• Manage production schedules, staffing issues and shift handovers.
• Develop team training plans and ensure procedures and working practices are followed.
• Communicate performance updates and improvement plans to senior management.

What you'll need

• A third-level qualification in a relevant discipline and at least 2 years' experience in a similar role, or at least 3 years' experience in a similar role within a related industry such as FMCG or pharmaceuticals.
• Proven experience leading, training and motivating a team.
• Strong knowledge of FMCG manufacturing operations.
• Experience driving continuous improvement and developing a Lean culture.
• A strong understanding of quality, food safety and health and safety compliance.
• Experience using KPIs to drive performance and operational improvements.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving and decision-making skills.

Desirable Criteria (it would be great if you have these but don't worry if you don't!)

• Previous experience in a similar role within the food manufacturing industry.