Production Shift Manager Nights

Pilgrims Europe; East Harling; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

Pilgrim's Europe is seeking a Production Shift Manager for a permanent night shift (6:00pm–6:00am) at Attleborough. You will lead and develop Production Team Leaders to maximise performance, drive improvements, and ensure safety, quality, cost, and service targets are met.

You will champion Operational Excellence, embed best practices, and foster a high-performing culture aligned with site objectives and customer expectations.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a manufacturing team in FMCG.
• Strong safety culture and Go for Zero mindset.
• Knowledge of OPEX and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of Production Team Leaders to maximise manufacturing performance.
• Embed safety, quality, cost, and service standards across the site.
• Drive Operational Excellence (OPEX) initiatives and continuous improvement.
• Manage safety metrics, risk assessments and corrective actions.
• Coach and develop leaders; conduct regular 1:1s and performance reviews.
• Ensure GMP compliance and audit readiness across the production stream.
• Oversee maintenance, audits, and production changes as needed.

Skills

Communication

Coaching

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

MS Office

FMCG experience

Continuous Improvement

Education

Foundation level Health & Safety

Food Safety qualification

HACCP qualification

Job description

Location: Attleborough
Department: Manufacturing
Reporting to: Production Stream Manager
Shift Pattern: Nights – 4 on 4 off - 6:00pm – 6:00am

About the Role

We have an exciting opportunity for a Production Shift Manager to join our Manufacturing team at Attleborough.

Working a permanent night shift pattern of 4 on 4 off (6:00pm–6:00am), you will be responsible for leading and developing a team of Production Team Leaders to maximise manufacturing performance, improve operational efficiency, and deliver outstanding standards in safety, quality, cost, and service.

You will play a key role in driving Operational Excellence (OPEX) initiatives, embedding best practice, and creating a high-performing culture that supports both business goals and customer expectations.

As part of the Pilgrim's Europe way of working, this is a site-based role, requiring visible leadership and close collaboration with operational teams across the factory.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and promote a strong safety culture through visible leadership and coaching.
• Champion our "Go for Zero" approach, ensuring a safe working environment for all team members.
• Ensure risk assessments are in place and corrective actions are completed.
• Monitor, report, and improve safety performance metrics.
• Promote a culture where food safety, quality, and authenticity are a condition of doing business.
• Ensure products are manufactured right first time and GMP standards are maintained.
• Escalate and manage significant quality concerns appropriately.
• Support the delivery of the Production Stream strategic plan and key operational objectives.
• Ensure Team Leaders clearly understand priorities, targets, and expectations.
• Deliver improvements in labour utilisation, waste reduction, OEE, and overall manufacturing performance.
• Manage and support planned and unplanned operational activities, including maintenance, audits, and production changes.
• Monitor ATP performance and respond effectively to escalations.
• Lead, motivate, and develop Team Leaders to create a high-performing and engaged workforce.
• Coach and develop teams using Operational Excellence tools and methods.
• Conduct regular 1:1s, performance reviews, and development conversations.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and succession planning activities.
• Build a strong pipeline of talent for future business needs.
• Manage employee relations matters, including disciplinary and grievance processes, with HR support where appropriate.
• Create an environment where team members feel valued, heard, and empowered to contribute ideas.
• Drive Operational Excellence (OPEX) across the production stream.
• Ensure the area remains audit-ready across safety, quality, environmental, manufacturing, and asset management standards.
• Analyse operational data to identify trends, performance gaps, and improvement opportunities.
• Lead structured problem-solving activities using OPEX tools and methodologies.
• Improve operational standards including SOPs, work instructions, autonomous maintenance, process specifications, and 5S.
• Ensure KPIs are visible, accurate, and regularly reviewed.
• Drive closure of actions and issues through effective performance management.
• Lead projects and improvement initiatives that support site objectives.
• Identify and eliminate manufacturing losses, bottlenecks, and inefficiencies.
• Ensure improvements are embedded and sustainable.
• Drive continuous improvements that enhance customer satisfaction and business performance.

About You

We are looking for a passionate and driven manufacturing leader who can inspire teams, solve problems, and deliver results within a fast-paced FMCG environment.

• Strong communication and influencing skills.
• Proven ability to coach, develop, and motivate others.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability.
• Experience creating, implementing, and sustaining operational standards.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience within an FMCG or food manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of health and safety, quality, environmental, and asset management systems.
• Experience of Continuous Improvement, Manufacturing Excellence, or OPEX methodologies.
• Foundation level Health & Safety
• Food Safety qualification
• HACCP qualification

Why Join Pilgrim's Europe?

At Pilgrim's Europe, we are committed to developing our people and creating opportunities for long-term career growth.

Our benefits include:

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Career development opportunities within a leading international food business
• Ongoing training and leadership development
• Employee benefits and discount platform
• Wellbeing support programmes
• Collaborative and supportive working environment
• Opportunity to contribute to a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence

Our values are at the heart of everything we do:

Availability ¦ Humility ¦ Discipline ¦ Sincerity ¦ Ownership ¦ Determination ¦ Simplicity