Production Shift Manager

Ruth Wagstaff Recruitment; Thurcaston; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare

Pension with up to 10% company

Excellent career development

Job summary

Ruth Wagstaff Recruitment is recruiting for a Production Shift Manager at a large UK food manufacturing facility in Leicester. The role leads a frontline team of 40-60 people, focusing on safety, quality, people and operational performance in a fast-paced environment.

You'll coach and develop your team, manage performance, and make decisions independently, including nights, with data-driven problem-solving and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Three years’ experience directly managing frontline teams.
• Strong people leadership and coaching skills.
• Experience in fast-paced production settings is valued.

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 data and structured problem-solving to improve performance.
• Making confident decisions in complex, fast-moving situations.
• Supporting continuous improvement across the operation.

Skills

Team leadership

Coaching

Performance management

Safety

Quality

GMP

Data analysis

Problem solving

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.