Production Shift Manager

The Sterling Choice; Newmarket; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

The Sterling Choice is recruiting a Production Shift Manager for a food manufacturer based in Newmarket. You will lead a high-risk packing operation, set clear expectations and coach the team to deliver the packing plan while upholding safety and quality standards.

You'll monitor production KPIs, identify training needs and drive continuous improvement across shifts. This role values hands-on leadership, trust-building with colleagues and a practical approach to problem solving on the factory

Qualifications

• Experience leading teams in food manufacturing, with high-risk production or packing experience.
• Previous roles: Production Shift Manager, Area Manager, Section Manager, or Production Manager.
• Experience with HACCP, food safety, hygiene controls and KPIs.

Responsibilities

• Lead a high-risk packing operation on the 6am-2pm shift and oversee production performance.
• Coordinate people and resources to deliver the packing plan.
• Maintain food safety, hygiene, quality and health and safety standards.
• Monitor KPIs and address issues affecting output and efficiency.
• Identify training needs and support team development.
• Ensure effective shift handovers and cross-department collaboration.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Food manufacturing

HACCP

Production KPIs

Job description

Production Shift Manager - Food Manufacturing

Newmarket | £47,000 | Early shift, 06:00-14:00

Some teams need a manager who takes the time to understand them.

Someone who learns the operation, listens to the people doing the work and earns their trust. Then helps them find better ways of doing it.

That's the opportunity here.

We're recruiting a Production Shift Manager for a food manufacturer producing a broad range of ready-to-eat products. Having spoken with the business, its culture stands out as one of the best we've come across.

The priority for this hire is finding someone who will contribute to that culture: supporting colleagues, building confidence and improving performance by bringing the team with them.

What you'll be taking on

You'll lead a high-risk packing operation on the 6am-2pm shift, with a salary of £47,000.

Your first task will be to understand how the area works. Get to know the people, learn the processes and see where the team needs support.

From there, you'll set clear expectations, coach colleagues and introduce improvements they can understand and put into practice. You'll need to explain why a change matters, demonstrate how it works and follow through until it becomes part of the daily routine.

Alongside that people-management focus, you'll oversee the shift's production performance, including:

• Coordinating people and resources to deliver the packing plan.
• Maintaining food safety, hygiene, quality and health and safety standards.
• Monitoring production KPIs and addressing issues affecting output and efficiency.
• Identifying training needs and supporting team development.
• Managing performance fairly, with clear feedback and consistent expectations.
• Working with colleagues across departments to resolve operational problems.
• Supporting continuous improvement and effective shift handovers.

Who would suit this?

You'll have experience leading teams in food manufacturing, with a strong understanding of high-risk production or packing environments.

You might currently be a Production Shift Manager, Area Manager, Section Manager or Production Manager. You could also be an experienced Production Supervisor with substantial responsibility for people and performance.

Your approach to leadership matters here.

You're visible on the factory floor. You ask questions before drawing conclusions. You recognise what people already do well and help them improve where they need support.

You're also comfortable holding people accountable. Earning trust means being fair, clear and consistent, including when a difficult conversation is needed.

We'll want to hear examples of how you've developed colleagues, introduced a better working method and improved production performance with your team.

Experience in ready-to-eat food, chilled food manufacturing or high-risk packing would be particularly relevant, alongside a sound understanding of HACCP, food safety, hygiene controls and manufacturing KPIs.

Why consider it?

The salary is £47,000, the shift is 06:00-14:00, and the opportunity is to join a business where the way you manage people matters.

You'll have the chance to understand an operation properly, build strong working relationships and help a team become more confident and effective.

If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.m