Production Shift Manager

The Sterling Choice; Manchester; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in food manufacturing seeks a dedicated Production Shift Manager to lead teams and drive performance in a fast-paced environment. This role involves direct responsibility for production targets, team coaching, and solving real-world operational challenges. The ideal candidate will have experience in similar roles, strong people management skills and a solid understanding of manufacturing metrics. If you're ready to take ownership and enhance team performance, this is the right opportunity for you.

Qualifications

• Experience in a similar Production Shift Manager role, preferably in FMCG or food.
• Strong people management skills—coaching, motivating, challenging when needed.
• Solid understanding of manufacturing KPIs, lean principles, and H&S standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of operators in a fast-paced food manufacturing site.
• Ensure safety, efficiency, and meet production targets.
• Manage continuous improvement projects and real-world challenges.

Skills

People Management

Coaching

Problem Solving

Manufacturing KPIs Understanding

Job description

This one is for Shift Managers who know how to run a real shift.
Real responsibility. Real results.

If you're the kind of Production Shift Manager who leads from the floor, not from a spreadsheet, keep reading.

This isn't a clipboard-and-meetings type of role. It's sleeves rolled up, people to coach, plans to deliver, problems to fix, and standards to smash. You will have full accountability for your shift, from team performance and production targets to safety, quality, and everything in between.

The role:
You will be a Production Shift Manager in a fast-paced food manufacturing site, leading a team of operators, technical operators, and engineers. Your goal? Deliver the daily plan. Safely. Efficiently. With zero compromise on standards.

You will be expected to:

• Hit OTIF and efficiency targets and know what to do when you're off track.
• Lead your team with clarity, energy, and direction.
• Own Continuous Improvement (CI) projects and fix issues properly, not with duct tape.
• Manage absence, performance, training, and development.
• Deal with real-world challenges like machinery breakdowns, skills gaps, and last-minute changes without losing your composure.

This is a proper Production Shift Manager role. One where your decisions genuinely influence performance, culture, and results.

You will work closely with the Manufacturing Manager, other shift leaders, engineering, quality, supply chain—basically everyone who keeps this place running. You won't be siloed; you'll be right in the thick of it.

What you'll need:

• Experience in a similar Production Shift Manager role, preferably in FMCG or food.
• Strong people management skills—coaching, motivating, challenging when needed.
• Solid understanding of manufacturing KPIs, lean principles, and H&S standards.
• Confidence to make decisions, solve problems, and lead from the front.
• Flexibility—this is a shift-based role, and the factory doesn't sleep.

This role isn't suitable for someone who wants to coast or shies away from tough decisions. But if you're ready to take full ownership of your shift, develop a team, and improve performance across the board, you'll thrive here.

Interested? Drop me a message. Let's talk. (Declan Crowson on LinkedIn or [URL removed])