Production Shift Manager

Protea Recruitment; Bathgate; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Protea Recruitment is seeking an experienced production leader for a fast-paced food manufacturing site in Bathgate, Scotland. You'll lead production teams to meet safety, quality and efficiency targets, driving continuous improvement and a strong safety culture.

Reporting to the Manufacturing Manager, you will manage people, KPIs, labour and performance; collaborate with Technical, Engineering and Planning teams to optimise production and ensure GMP standards are upheld on site.

Qualifications

• Experience in managing KPIs, labour and production performance.
• Strong people leadership and team development skills.
• Good understanding of food safety, quality and GMP standards.
• Proactive, problem-solving mindset.
• Ability to lead from the front in a fast-paced production environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and develop production teams to achieve operational KPIs
• Drive productivity, efficiency and waste reduction initiatives
• Ensure food safety, quality and GMP standards are maintained at all times
• Monitor and improve labour utilisation and production performance
• Manage employee performance, attendance and training requirements
• Work closely with Technical, Engineering and Planning teams
• Support continuous improvement projects across the site
• Ensure a positive health & safety culture throughout your area

Skills

People leadership

Team development

KPIs

Labour management

Proactive mindset

Job description

Bathgate, United Kingdom | Posted on 22/09/2026

Based in the Central Belt of Scotland , commutable from both Edinburgh and Glasgow, This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced production leader looking to join a fast-paced manufacturing environment where people, quality, safety and continuous improvement are at the heart of the operation.

The Role

Reporting into the Manufacturing Manager, you'll be responsible for leading and developing production teams to ensure operational targets are achieved safely, efficiently and to the highest quality standards.

This is a hands-on leadership position where you'll have full responsibility for shift performance, people management, productivity, quality and health & safety.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and develop production teams to achieve operational KPIs
• Drive productivity, efficiency and waste reduction initiatives
• Ensure food safety, quality and GMP standards are maintained at all times
• Monitor and improve labour utilisation and production performance
• Manage employee performance, attendance and training requirements
• Work closely with Technical, Engineering and Planning teams
• Support continuous improvement projects across the site
• Ensure a positive health & safety culture throughout your area

Requirements

About You

• Previous management experience within food manufacturing
• Strong people leadership and team development skills
• Experience managing KPIs, labour and production performanceGood understanding of food safety, quality and GMP standards
• A proactive and problem-solving mindset
• Ability to lead from the front in a fast-paced production environment