Production Shift Manager

The Sterling Choice; Welwyn Garden City; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

The Sterling Choice is recruiting for a Shift Production Manager at a fast-paced food manufacturing site in Welwyn Garden City. You will lead and develop a manufacturing team, drive safety, quality, output and cost improvements on a day-to-day basis.

You will monitor KPIs such as OEE and waste, work cross-functionally with Engineering and Quality, and guide performance management and coaching to deliver consistent results.

Qualifications

• Experience leading production teams in food manufacturing or FMCG.
• Strong knowledge of GMP, HACCP and food safety standards.
• Experience managing KPI targets like OEE, waste and output.
• Understanding of Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement.
• Proven people management and coaching skills.
• Experience in automated/high-volume production environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop a team within a fast-paced production environment.
• Ensure production plans and daily output targets are achieved.
• Monitor and improve KPIs including OEE, labour efficiency, waste and delivery.
• Drive continuous improvement and identify opportunities to improve processes.
• Maintain high standards of GMP, HACCP, food safety and product quality.
• Lead health and safety standards across the shift with safe systems.
• Work with Engineering to minimise downtime and improve equipment performance.
• Partner with Quality to maintain product specifications and manufacturing standards.
• Manage labour utilisation, overtime and production costs effectively.
• Conduct shift briefings, performance reviews and development plans.
• Create an engaged, accountable and high-performing team culture.

Skills

Team leadership

GMP knowledge

HACCP knowledge

Lean manufacturing

Problem solving

People management

Cross-functional

Automated lines

Job description

Industry: Food Manufacturing

Shift: 4 on, 4 off

Are you an experienced Production or Shift Manager looking to take ownership of a fast-paced manufacturing operation?

We’re working with an established food manufacturer that has invested significantly into its production capabilities and is now looking for a Shift Production Manager to join the team.

You’ll take responsibility for the day-to-day performance of your shift, leading and developing your production team while driving improvements across safety, quality, output, efficiency and cost.

The Role

As Shift Production Manager, you will:

• Lead, coach and develop a team within a fast-paced production environment
• Ensure production plans and daily output targets are achieved
• Monitor and improve KPIs including OEE, labour efficiency, waste and delivery
• Drive continuous improvement and identify opportunities to improve processes and performance
• Maintain high standards of GMP, HACCP, food safety and product quality
• Lead health and safety standards across the shift, ensuring adherence to safe systems of work
• Work closely with Engineering to minimise downtime and improve equipment performance
• Partner with Quality to maintain product specifications and manufacturing standards
• Manage labour utilisation, overtime and production costs effectively
• Conduct shift briefings, performance reviews and development plans
• Manage absence, lateness, training and performance fairly and consistently
• Create an engaged, accountable and high-performing team culture

About You

We’re looking for someone with:

• Previous experience leading production teams within food manufacturing, FMCG or a similarly fast-paced manufacturing environment
• Strong knowledge of GMP, HACCP and food safety standards
• Experience managing production KPIs such as OEE, waste, labour and output
• A good understanding of Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement
• Strong people management, coaching and performance management skills
• Experience working within an automated or high-volume production environment
• A proactive approach to problem solving and improving operational performance
• The confidence to work cross-functionally with Engineering, Quality and other operational teams

You’ll be someone who is comfortable being visible on the factory floor, understands what good manufacturing performance looks like and can balance the demands of people, production, safety and quality.