Production Team Leader

React Recruitment Limited; Rochester; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days leave + BH

Free parking

Discretionary annual bonus

Overtime when available

Job summary

React Recruitment Limited seeks an experienced Production Section Leader to drive day-to-day manufacturing operations in a regulated environment. You will lead, coach and develop an operational team to deliver plans safely and efficiently.

Key responsibilities include supervising production, ensuring safety and compliance, and partnering with Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Supply Chain and EHS to maximise throughput and reliability.

Qualifications

• Experience supervising in manufacturing, pharmaceutical, chemical, automotive or regulated environments.
• Strong technical mindset with hands-on ability to set up and run plant equipment.
• Knowledge of production KPIs, SOPs, safety procedures and compliance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Operations management: supervise daily production to meet shift targets and KPIs.
• Safety & compliance: uphold safety culture and regulatory standards.
• People leadership: coach and onboard operators and technicians; manage shift resources.
• Continuous improvement: drive lean initiatives and develop SOPs for reliability.
• Cross-functional collaboration: coordinate with Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Supply Chain and EHS.

Skills

Leadership

Safety culture

Continuous improvement

Problem solving

Communication

Organisational skills

Education

Engineering degree / equivalent

HNC/HND in related field

Apprenticeship in Engineering

Tools

Plant equipment

Automated systems

Job description

Our manufacturing client is seeking an experienced Production Team Leader.

Salary: Negotiable, confirmed on phone call, with discretionary annual bonus

Benefits: 25 days leave + BH, rising to 27 days after 5 years, free parking, OT when available, Monthly pay, pension etc

Location: Hoo, Rochester, Kent - having your own transport is essential

Hours: Rotating shifts 6am to 2pm / 2pm to 10pm

Possibility of night shift in the future

Are you an experienced production supervisor or team leader with a strong technical mindset? Do you excel at driving a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement?

The Production Section Leader will lead the day-to-day manufacturing operations. In this pivotal role, you will lead, coach, and develop an operational team to deliver production plans safely and efficiently within a highly regulated environment.

Production Section Leader key Responsibilities:

• Operations Management: Supervise day-to-day production operations to achieve shift targets, delivery schedules, and operational KPIs (OEE, yield, waste, and productivity).
• Safety & Compliance: Maintain a strong safety culture and ensure absolute compliance with industry-specific standards (e.g., GMP/FDA, HSE/COMAH, or ISO requirements) and company SOPs.
• People Leadership: Lead, coach, and onboard operators and technicians, managing shift resource planning, briefings, handovers, and performance management.
• Continuous Improvement: Drive lean manufacturing initiatives using structured problem-solving tools (5S, 3C's, 7 Wastes) and develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) to maximize process reliability.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Supply Chain, and EHS teams to resolve process interruptions and optimize throughput.

Production Section Leader essential criteria:

• Proven supervisory or leadership experience managing teams within a manufacturing, pharmaceutical, chemical, automotive, or regulated production environment.
• Strongly engineering and technically minded, with the hands-on ability to set up and run plant equipment and automated systems.
• Practical knowledge of production KPIs, SOPs, safety procedures, and compliance requirements.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and organizational capabilities.

Production Section Leader desirable Criteria:

• Experience working in GMP pharmaceutical, chemical process operations (COMAH), FMCG, or high-volume advanced manufacturing.
• Direct knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, CAPA, or deviation management.
• A Degree, HNC/HND, or apprenticeship in Engineering, Manufacturing, Chemical, Life Sciences, or a related discipline.