Production Team Leader

Inspired Pet Nutrition Ltd; Crick; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare cashback plan

Enhanced pension

Life assurance

Holiday buy options

Discounts on pet food

Onsite facilities

Free onsite parking

Job summary

INSPIRED Pet Nutrition is seeking a Team Leader for a permanent night-shift role based in Crick, Northamptonshire. You will lead the production team on a 12-hour night schedule (Tuesday–Thursday, 18:00–06:00), averaging 36 hours per week, with an hourly rate of £17.19 plus shift allowances totaling £20.48 per hour.

You’ll report to the Area Shift Leader and work across operations to ensure safety and quality.

Qualifications

• Experience in food manufacturing or a related environment (preferred, not essential)
• Proven ability to lead, coach or support teams in a manufacturing or warehouse setting
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Understanding of food safety and quality standards
• Clear, approachable communication style

Responsibilities

• Create a safe and supportive workplace and promote a strong health and safety culture
• Lead and support teams, provide regular updates, recognise good work
• Organise and manage daily tasks to match strengths and drive development
• Identify improvement opportunities and implement practical solutions
• Ensure work meets quality standards and food safety requirements
• Support continuous improvement by testing better ways of working
• Communicate priorities and maintain accurate records and reports

Skills

Team leadership

Food manufacturing

Safety culture

Problem solving

Communication

Job description

We’re recruiting a Team Leader to join our manufacturing operation in Crick, Northamptonshire. This is a permanent role support our Chunk Production team and play a key part in creating a safe, collaborative and high‑performing working environment.

Role Overview:

• Shift pattern: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (12‑hour shifts)
• Shift: Nights (18:00–06:00)
• Average hours: 36 per week
• Hourly rate: £17.19 plus £1.99 per hour shift allowance, plus £1.30 mince room allowance

About the Role:

As a Team Leader, you’ll support and motivate your team to deliver daily operational goals while maintaining high standards of safety, quality and teamwork. You’ll lead by example, helping people perform at their best and contributing to the overall success of INSPIRED. You’ll report to the Area Shift Leader and work closely with colleagues across operations.

What You’ll Be Doing:

Creating a Safe & Supportive Workplace

• Promote a strong health and safety culture, ensuring safe working practices are followed at all times
• Raise and address safety concerns promptly through the correct channels

Leading & Supporting People

• Foster an inclusive, respectful environment where everyone feels valued and supported
• Encourage teamwork, collaboration and clear communication
• Welcome the team at the start of each shift and provide regular updates throughout
• Recognise and acknowledge good work and positive behaviours

Organising & Managing the Day

• Allocate tasks in a way that plays to individual strengths and supports development
• Identify opportunities for improvement and help implement practical solutions
• Ensure all work meets quality standards and complies with food safety requirements
• Support continuous improvement by suggesting and trialling better ways of working
• Resolve issues fairly and calmly, making informed decisions when required

Communication & Reporting

• Communicate clearly with your team about priorities, changes and expectations
• Maintain accurate records, reports and documentation to support transparency and accountability

Skills & Experience

• Experience in food manufacturing or a related environment (preferred, not essential)
• Proven ability to lead, coach or support teams in a manufacturing or warehouse setting
• Strong problem‑solving and decision‑making skills
• Understanding of food safety and quality standards
• Clear, approachable communication style
• Overtime, enhanced pension, life assurance
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, sick pay, and holiday buy options
• Healthcare cashback plan and Hertility at‑home fertility testing
• Generous discounts on pet food and lifestyle subscriptions (Netflix, Spotify, breakdown cover)
• Retail and gym discounts, electric car scheme, free onsite parking and charging
• Onsite canteen, free hot drinks, and modern facilities

About Us

INSPIRED Pet Nutrition is an innovative, award‑winning pet food manufacturer employing over 1,200 colleagues across the UK and Europe. Our brands include Harringtons, Wagg, Barking Heads & Meowing Heads, AATU, Blink, Butcher’s, and more. Our kitchens in Thirsk, Kinmel, and Crick produce high‑quality food for dogs and cats enjoyed around the world. Our ambition is simple: to become a global leader in pet nutrition.

Our Purpose: To Create Happiness

We’re on a mission to set a new standard for workplace happiness. Our culture is built around care, collaboration, and continuous improvement - ensuring our people feel supported, valued, and proud of what they do.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

INSPIRED Pet Nutrition is committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and able to thrive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and make hiring decisions based on talent, potential, and experience. We also provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and in the workplace. If you need any support, please contact [e-mail].

We’re committed to being an inclusive employer - please speak with us to discuss job share opportunities, particularly if you’re returning to work, balancing family commitments, or exploring flexible ways of working.