Production Team Leader

Whittan Industrial Limited; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

The Whittan Group is seeking an experienced Production Team Leader to join the Operations team. You will lead a 10-20 strong production crew, ensuring safe, efficient, high‑quality manufacturing and contributing to continuous improvement initiatives.

Reporting to the Production Manager, you will drive KPIs, support recruitment and training, and develop a skilled, engaged workforce within a lean environment focused on safety and quality.

Qualifications

• Experience leading or supervising production teams in manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of health and safety requirements within manufacturing.
• Excellent organisational and planning skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Ability to solve problems and make decisions under pressure.
• Proficiency reading engineering drawings and understanding automated manufacturing equipment.

Responsibilities

• Organise and supervise daily production activities to meet manufacturing schedules.
• Ensure production targets and KPIs are achieved safely and efficiently.
• Allocate labour and resources effectively across production lines.
• Monitor workflow, resolve operational issues, and minimise downtime.
• Support the timely delivery of customer orders.
• Lead, motivate, and develop a team of production operatives.
• Conduct daily team briefings and communicate business objectives.
• Monitor performance and provide coaching and support.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and training activities.
• Manage attendance, holidays, probation reviews, and employee conduct in line with company policies.

Skills

Leadership

Organisational skills

Communication

Problem solving

Team development

Continuous improvement

Reading engineering drawings

Lean Manufacturing

Safety awareness

Education

IOSH Managing Safely

FLT Licence

Tools

Microsoft Office

Production reporting systems

Job description

The Whittan Group is the largest manufacturer of steel storage products in the United Kingdom. Operating through a number of market-leading brands, we design, manufacture and install storage solutions for commercial and industrial environments across the UK and Europe.

We are currently seeking an experienced and driven Production Team Leader to join our Operations team. This is an excellent opportunity for a hands‑on leader who is passionate about safety, quality, people development, and operational excellence.

About the Role

Reporting to the Production Manager, you will be responsible for leading a team of 10-20 production operatives, ensuring the safe, efficient, and high‑quality manufacture of our products. You will play a key role in achieving production targets, maintaining quality standards, driving continuous improvement initiatives, and developing a highly skilled and engaged workforce.

Key Responsibilities

Production Management

• Organise and supervise daily production activities to meet manufacturing schedules.
• Ensure production targets and KPIs are achieved safely and efficiently.
• Allocate labour and resources effectively across production lines.
• Monitor workflow, resolve operational issues, and minimise downtime.
• Support the timely delivery of customer orders.
• Lead, motivate, and develop a team of production operatives.
• Conduct daily team briefings and communicate business objectives.
• Monitor performance and provide coaching and support.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and training activities.
• Manage attendance, holidays, probation reviews, and employee conduct in line with company policies.

Health & Safety

• Promote a positive health and safety culture throughout the operation.
• Ensure compliance with company procedures and UK health and safety legislation.
• Conduct workplace inspections and risk assessments.
• Investigate accidents, near misses, and unsafe practices, implementing corrective actions.
• Ensure appropriate PPE is worn and maintained.

Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Ensure products are manufactured to the highest quality standards.
• Support corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Drive waste reduction and process efficiency improvements.
• Support Lean Manufacturing and 5S activities.

Training & Development

• Identify training needs and support employee development.
• Deliver coaching and mentoring to team members.
• Maintain training records and skills matrices.
• Support cross-training and succession planning activities.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

What We're Looking For

• Previous experience in a manufacturing or engineering environment.
• Proven experience leading or supervising production teams.
• Strong knowledge of health and safety requirements within manufacturing.
• Excellent organisational and planning skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Ability to solve problems and make decisions under pressure.
• Competent in Microsoft Office and production reporting systems
• Experience within pallet racking, steel fabrication, or metal manufacturing.
• Lean Manufacturing or Continuous Improvement experience.
• IOSH Managing Safely qualification.
• FLT Licence.
• Ability to read engineering drawings.
• Knowledge of automated manufacturing equipment and systems.

Why Join The Whittan Group?

• Be part of the UK's leading manufacturer of steel storage solutions.
• Work within a supportive and collaborative team environment.
• Play a key role in driving operational excellence and continuous improvement.
• Develop your leadership skills and advance your career within a growing organisation.
• Join a business committed to safety, quality, and employee development.