Production Shift Manager

Médialis; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food manufacturing company in Teesside is seeking a Production Shift Manager to drive safety, quality, and performance on shift. This role demands hands-on leadership, strong decision-making abilities, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Ideal candidates will possess a degree or equivalent experience and have over 5 years in manufacturing, ideally food or FMCG. Your contributions will significantly impact the future of a site that has invested heavily in automation and efficiency.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of manufacturing experience, ideally in food or FMCG.
• Proven track record of leading teams effectively.
• Strong decision-making skills in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Create a zero-harm culture on shift.
• Own quality and tackle issues head-on.
• Coach and develop team members.
• Plan resources to meet production targets.
• Manage inventory and engineering support.

Skills

Leadership

Quality control

Safety management

Continuous improvement

Education

Degree-level education or equivalent experience

Job description

MonFri | Mornings / Afters / Nights

Teesside

£52,000 + 10% Bonus

Food manufacturing never stands still. This site has moved faster than most. Over the last two years, 10s of £millions has been invested into automation and process improvement. The goal was simple. Produce food more safely, more consistently and at scale. The technology is in place. What matters now is leadership on shift.

The business is looking for a Production Shift Manager who understands food manufacturing at pace. Someone who knows that standards slip on nights, weekends and under pressure, and who can keep safety, quality and output where they need to be, every time.

Why this role is worth your time: This isn’t a holding role. And it’s definitely not a desk job. You'll be stepping into a site that's already invested heavily in its future and you'll be trusted to shape how that future actually works on shift. Your decisions will directly impact safety, quality, cost and performance.

If you're thinking I want a role where I can genuinely make things better this could be your moment to do it.

What you’ll actually be doing

• Safety first, always create a zero-harm culture that people believe in. Lead by example, investigate incidents properly, and fix root causes, not symptoms.
• Right first time quality. Own quality on shift. Tackle issues head‑on and embed improvements so they don’t keep coming back.
• People leadership. This is a hands‑on leadership role. You'll coach, develop and challenge teams, manage performance, support training, and work closely with HR on recruitment and people matters.
• Productivity & cost control. Plan resources, hit production targets, reduce waste and drive continuous improvement, using data, not guesswork.
• Inventory & engineering support. Keep materials flowing, stock accurate and maintenance aligned to production priorities.

What they're looking for

• Degree-level education or equivalent experience
• 5+ years manufacturing experience, ideally in food or FMCG
• A track record of leading teams, not just managing shifts
• Comfortable making decisions when things don't go to plan
• Someone who genuinely cares about safety, quality and standards

Apply below and let’s have a confidential conversation.