Production Team Leader

Jackson Hogg Ltd; Newton Aycliffe; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A manufacturing company in Newton Aycliffe is seeking a Production Team Leader to oversee operations in a chemical manufacturing environment. The successful candidate will lead the production team, ensure compliance with safety and quality standards, and contribute to business growth and continuous improvement. Candidates should have proven experience in chemical manufacturing and strong leadership skills.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in chemical manufacturing or a similar high-hazard process industry.
• Strong leadership and team development skills.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organisational abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day production activities in compliance with safety and quality standards.
• Promote and maintain a strong safety culture.
• Drive efficiency and improvement initiatives across production areas.

Skills

Leadership and team management

Proactive problem solving

Safety awareness and accountability

Communication and collaboration

Continuous improvement mindset

Organisational and time management skills

Attention to detail

Job description

Overview

Jackson Hogg are proudly partnering with a specialist manufacturing business in the County Durham area on a Production Team Leader position.

The Production Team Leader will play a key role in leading and coordinating operations within a chemical manufacturing environment. This role is critical in ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant production, while driving improvements and supporting the development of new areas of the business. The Production Team Leader will also be responsible for developing their team, promoting safety culture, and supporting process safety activities such as SOP development and HAZOP participation.

Key Duties

• Lead day-to-day production activities, ensuring compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory standards.
• Promote and maintain a strong safety culture in line with company values.
• Actively contribute to the development and maintenance of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Support and participate in HAZOP studies, risk assessments, and incident investigations.
• Ensure compliance with Permit to Work systems and controlled operations.
• Provide coaching, leadership, and development to production team members.
• Collaborate with engineering, EHS, and other functions to resolve operational issues and support continuous improvement.
• Drive efficiency, reliability, and improvement initiatives across production areas.
• Support business growth by contributing to the establishment of new operational areas.

Key Accountabilities

• Safe, compliant, and efficient execution of production activities.
• Development and application of SOPs and process safety practices.
• Effective leadership and motivation of production staff.
• Consistent adherence to Permit to Work and controlled operation systems.
• Timely resolution of operational issues and proactive problem solving.
• Contribution to continuous improvement and business growth initiatives.

Qualifications and Experience

• Proven experience in chemical manufacturing or a similar high-hazard process industry.
• Experience with Permit to Work systems and controlled operations.
• Knowledge and experience of HAZOP and other process safety activities.
• Strong leadership and team development skills.
• Proactive, self-motivated, and capable of driving improvements.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organisational abilities.
• Experience on a COMAH site is desirable but not essential.
• Flexibility to work a continental shift pattern.

Key Competencies

• Leadership and team management
• Safety awareness and accountability
• Proactive problem solving
• Communication and collaboration
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Organisational and time management skills
• Attention to detail