Production Team Leader

React Recruitment Limited; Rochester; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days leave + bank holidays

Free parking

OT when available

Pension

Job summary

React Recruitment Limited is recruiting for an experienced Production Section Leader for a manufacturing client in Hoo, Rochester. You will lead day-to-day operations, drive safety, quality, and continuous improvement to achieve production targets.

You will coach operators and technicians, manage shift planning, and collaborate with Engineering, Maintenance, Quality and EHS to deliver compliant, reliable throughput in a highly regulated environment.

Qualifications

• Oversee day-to-day production operations in a regulated environment.
• Hands-on with plant equipment and automated systems.
• Experience supervising teams in manufacturing or regulated settings (pharma/chem/medical).
• Knowledge of KPIs, SOPs, safety procedures and compliance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Supervise day-to-day production operations to meet targets and KPIs.
• Maintain safety culture and ensure compliance with GMP/FDA/HSE/ISO requirements and SOPs.
• Lead, coach and onboard operators and technicians; manage shift resources and handovers.
• Drive lean manufacturing initiatives using structured problem solving and develop SOPs.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Supply Chain and EHS to resolve issues and optimise throughput.

Skills

Leadership

Team supervision

Lean manufacturing

Problem-solving

Communication

Organizational skills

Education

Engineering degree or equivalent (Degree/HNC/HND/Apprenticeship)

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?

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.