Production Shift Manager

Wagstaff Recruitment Ltd; Leicester; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare

Pension with 10% company contribution

Annual bonus

Shift allowance 23.5%

Career progression/internal promotion

Job summary

Wagstaff Recruitment Ltd in Leicester is recruiting for a Production Shift Manager at a large food and snack manufacturer site in Leicester. You will lead a frontline team of around 50 people, with 12-hour shifts, and take ownership of safety, quality, people and operational performance.

The role emphasizes people leadership, coaching, performance management, and data-driven problem solving with opportunities for development and internal progression.

Qualifications

• 3+ years direct experience managing frontline teams.
• Strong people leadership, coaching and performance management skills.
• Ability to take ownership, make decisions under pressure and use data to improve operations.

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

Leadership

People management

Coaching

Data-driven decision making

Safety & GMP

Performance management

Operational know-how

Job description

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

Perhaps you've wanted to move into food/FMCG manufacturing, but haven't previously had the opportunity because your experience has been gained in another industry. This could be that opportunity!

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

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

We're recruiting for Production Shift Managers for a global food and snack manufacturer at its largest UK manufacturing facility in Leicester.

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, heavy manufacturing and other complex production environments.

We're also keen to hear from military personnel transitioning into industry and military veterans with strong operational leadership experience.

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.

You'll join a site employing around 1,000 people, benefiting from approximately £60m investment in 2026, with around 60% of vacancies filled internally.