Production Shift Manager

Empower Talent; Livingston; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Empower Talent in Livingston is seeking an experienced Production Shift Manager to take ownership of a busy food manufacturing shift, leading a team to hit targets in safety, quality and efficiency.

The role requires hands-on leadership, strong people management and a track record of improving performance, with a permanent dayshift on a 4 on 4 off pattern.

Qualifications

• Experience leading production teams in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong people management and leadership skills.
• Good understanding of food safety, quality and health & safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and develop the production team across your shift
• Ensure daily production plans and customer requirements are achieved
• Drive performance across safety, quality, efficiency, waste and output
• Manage staffing levels, deployment and performance across the shift
• Maintain high standards of GMP, hygiene and food safety
• Collaborate with Engineering, Technical, Planning and other departments to resolve operational issues
• Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities
• Monitor shift KPIs and take action where performance falls below target
• Coach and develop Team Leaders and Operators
• Ensure effective shift handovers and clear communication across the operation
• Promote a positive, accountable and high‑performing culture on the factory floor

Skills

People management

Shift leadership

Manufacturing

Food safety

Operational KPIs

Problem solving

Communication

Job description

Livingston, West Lothian

£40,000 - £45,000

4 on 4 off - Dayshift

Empower Talent is working with an established food manufacturing business in Livingston to recruit an experienced Production Shift Manager.

This is an excellent opportunity for a hands‑on production leader to take responsibility for the day‑to‑day performance of a busy manufacturing operation, leading a team and ensuring targets across safety, quality, service, cost and people are consistently achieved.

The Role

Reporting into the senior operations team, you will take full ownership of your shift and be responsible for:

• Leading, motivating and developing the production team across your shift
• Ensuring daily production plans and customer requirements are achieved
• Driving performance across safety, quality, efficiency, waste and output
• Managing staffing levels, deployment and performance across the shift
• Maintaining high standards of GMP, hygiene and food safety
• Working closely with Engineering, Technical, Planning and other departments to resolve operational issues
• Identifying and implementing continuous improvement opportunities
• Monitoring shift KPIs and taking action where performance falls below target
• Coaching and developing Team Leaders and Operators
• Ensuring effective shift handovers and clear communication across the operation
• Promoting a positive, accountable and high‑performing culture on the factory floor

About You

We're looking for an experienced production leader who is comfortable managing people in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.

You will ideally have:

• Previous experience as a Production Shift Manager, Manufacturing Manager, Production Manager or Senior Production Team Leader
• Experience within food, drink, FMCG or another fast‑paced manufacturing environment
• Strong people‑management and leadership skills
• A good understanding of food safety, quality and health & safety standards
• Experience working to production targets and operational KPIs
• A track record of improving performance and developing teams
• A practical, hands‑on approach to problem solving
• Strong communication skills and the confidence to make decisions in a busy production environment

Package

Salary: £40,000 - £45,000

Location: West Lothian

Shift: 4 on 4 off, permanent dayshift

Contract: Permanent

This is a strong opportunity for an experienced manufacturing leader looking to join an established operation with the added benefit of a dayshift‑only 4 on 4 off pattern.