Production Shift Manager

Dale Farm; Cullybackey; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Dale Farm is recruiting a Production Shift Manager for its Dromona Creamery site. You will be a key member of the onsite management team, overseeing all production activity on site, including Milk Processing and Services, with a track record in leading similar teams.

Reporting to the Production Manager, you will develop and mentor operatives, drive safety and quality, optimise plant performance, manage the production schedule, and deliver continuous improvement projects.

Qualifications

• 3rd level qualification in a relevant field.
• 2+ years’ experience in a similar role or 3+ years within FMCG/related industry.
• Proven ability to lead, train and motivate a team to high performance.
• Strong knowledge of FMCG manufacturing processes and lean culture.
• Delivery against quality, food safety and health & safety compliance.
• Excellent communication with internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all production activity on site, including Milk Intake and Processing.
• Lead the production team and drive efficiency, quality and safety.
• Manage and mentor operatives, foster a positive site culture.

Skills

Team leadership

Lean manufacturing

Problem solving

Communication

Health & safety

Education

3rd level qualification

Job description

Closing Date : 04 November 2026 05:00 pm

Dale Farm Cooperative is a UK dairy farmer co-operative owned by over 1200 dairy farmers who supply us with fresh milk. Dale Farm has operations throughout the UK and Ireland producing and distributing a wide range of dairy products which it sells across the UK and Ireland as well as exporting to over 45 countries worldwide.

At Dale Farm virtually every career discipline is represented in our workforce, from production, engineering and distribution, to sales & marketing and food technology/quality assurance, to Finance, HR and IT through to general management. Our standards are high and when we recruit we are looking for those with energy and drive, who are keen for responsibility and motivated to succeed with a record of achievement and with the potential to develop as the company grows.

Culture

Our culture is based on setting best in class standards, working to-wards and delivering on committed objectives, striving for constant improvement and involving everyone in the company. We strive to develop our people and harness everyone's contribution to deliver a winning team.

The company is an Equal Opportunities employer and is committed to a safe, inclusive and relationship based workspace.

In return, we offer a high degree of responsibility, plenty of challenge, good opportunities for learning and personal development and rewarding benefit packages, all within a fast moving and results oriented environment.

Production Shift Manager

The Company

Dale Farm is a leading dairy company, which manufactures an extensive range of consumer and food ingredient products. With an annual turnover in excess of £700m the Group exports globally to over 40 countries, with a particularly strong presence in the UK retail market. It is our mission to ensure that we exude the highest standards through our processes, products, and people.

About The Job

As a Production Shift Manager, you will be a key member of the onsite Management Team, playing a pivotal role in overseeing all production activity on site, including Milk Processing and Services. This is a key management position at Dromona Creamery and the successful candidate must demonstrate a track record of success within a similar role.

This is a diverse role and will require a candidate with both technical aptitude and strong capabilities in leading a successful team.

Reporting to the Production Manager, within this exciting role your core responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Ensuring operational efficiency, quality, and safety throughout your shift.
• Set and deliver best in class standards and performance in all aspects of processing.
• Overseeing all Production activity on site, to include the Production team, Milk Intake, Milk Processing, and Effluent.
• Managing and mentoring your team, while fostering a good culture across the site.
• Optimising plant performance by ensuring all plant and equipment is properly operated, maintained, and cleaned to minimise downtime.
• Driving a safety culture – identifying issues and ensuring follow-through with appropriate improvements.
• Initiating and leading CI improvement projects
• Adhering to the production schedule to deliver & maximise efficient customer fulfilment.
• Minimising packaging usage & stock holding levels and driving down wastage.
• Implementing a zero-tolerance approach to having a tidy, safe, and clean working environment.
• Managing all aspects of people management for your team, to include developing and empowering your team of operatives to assume ownership of their responsibilities, proactively monitoring and addressing poor performance and attendance, and communicating effectively with your team.
• Identifying training needs within your team, and implementing development plans.
• Implementing work instructions for all jobs and build a trained and flexible workforce.
• Developing and maintaining the necessary systems, procedures, training and working practices to deliver best practice and meet requirements.
• Communicating with senior management on performance and improvement plans.
• Leading shift handovers to ensure smooth transitions between teams.
• Identifying bottlenecks and inefficiencies in production, and implementing improvement initiatives and continuous improvement strategies (Lean, Six Sigma etc.).
• Resolving staffing, supply or equipment issues promptly.
• Implementing new strategies to improve yield, reduce waste and boost productivity.
• Ensuring adherence to the cleaning schedule

This role will work on a rota across 7 days, on a 4 on 4 off pattern.

About You

The Essential

• The successful candidate will hold a 3rd level qualification in a relevant field and at least 2 years’ experience in a similar role, or alternatively candidates should have at least 3 years’ experience within a similar role within a related industry, such as FMCG or Pharmaceutical.
• A proven track record of the ability to proactively lead, train and motivate a team ensuring high performance.
• Strong industry knowledge of a FMCG manufacturing business.
• A successful track record of developing a lean culture and delivering process improvements.
• A strong technical skill set and a track record of delivery against quality / food safety and health and safety compliance.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to effectively communicate to a range of internal and external stakeholders, and to coordinate between different departments and senior management.
• Problem solving, quick decision making and troubleshooting skills to handle production, equipment issues etc.
• A proven track record of driving performance and improvement through site KPIs.
• Strong leadership qualities and the motivation to inspire all the team.

The Desirable

• The ideal candidate will have worked within a similar role within a similar Food Manufacturing business, and will possess a strong awareness of the industry.

The closing date for applications is 5.00pm onWednesday 4th November 2026.