Production Team Leader

Fortune Brands Innovations; Wolverhampton; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Fortune Brands Innovations in Wolverhampton is seeking a Production Team Leader for our i54 manufacturing site. This hands-on leadership role splits time 80/20 between leading operatives and working on the production floor.

You will drive performance, develop your team, and ensure safety, quality, and KPI targets are met through effective planning, communication, and continuous improvement. If you are a proactive leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, this role offers ownership,

Qualifications

• Proven track record in a similar manufacturing leadership role.
• Strong people management and safety knowledge.
• Ability to plan workloads under pressure.
• Excellent communication in English.
• Competent with computers and software.
• Ability to have difficult conversations to align targets.
• Ability to build effective relationships across departments.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support team to achieve production targets and KPIs.
• Plan labour resources to meet the Production Plan.
• Conduct team briefings and performance reviews.
• Ensure readiness for each shift with pre-start checks.

Skills

People management

Health & Safety

Quality systems

Planning workloads

Leadership

English communication

Computer literacy

ERP know-how

Tools

ERP systems

MS Office

Job description

Permanent – i54 Manufacturing Site | Production | 40 Hours Per Week - shift over may be required |

Lead from the front. Drive performance on the shop floor.

We're looking for an experienced Production Team Leader to join our Production team at our i54 manufacturing site, reporting to the Production Supervisor.

This is a hands-on leadership role with an 80/20 split — 80% of your time will be spent providing leadership, direction, and support to operatives within your team, and 20% actively working within the production area. You'll work closely with the Management Team to drive efficiency, maintain quality standards, and ensure KPIs and targets are consistently met.

You'll be responsible for the performance, development, and engagement of your team — from pre-shift briefings and labour planning through to performance management and continuous improvement. If you're a natural leader who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and takes pride in delivering results through people, this role offers real ownership, variety, and the opportunity to make a tangible impact every day.

What You Will Be Responsible For

You'll lead and support your team to deliver against production targets, quality standards, and operational KPIs.

• Providing leadership, direction, and support to operatives within the team to achieve agreed targets and deadlines
• Ensuring the team is ready to commence manufacturing at the start of each shift, including pre-start-up checks and reporting any labour issues immediately to the Shift Supervisor
• Holding the team accountable for their performance, adhering to company processes and procedures
• Conducting personal development reviews with team members

Production Planning & Delivery

• Planning, organising, and managing labour resources to ensure the Production Plan is met
• Running the assigned area of production in accordance with product specifications, company standards, and procedures regarding Safety, Quality, Quantity, and Cost
• Reporting and supporting to achieve KPIs in your areas and escalating any roadblocks to the Supervisor
• Carrying out team briefings at the start of each shift, ensuring KPIs are discussed and issues resolved
• Attending and contributing to team meetings and wider management team meetings
• Conducting T&A meetings and managing people within your shift
• Working constructively with all areas of the business

Health, Safety & Continuous Improvement

• Maintaining Health, Safety, and quality standards in accordance with company rules and regulations
• Analysing key issues affecting equipment within your area of responsibility and taking or organising corrective action
• Working closely with the Management Team to drive efficiency and effectiveness within the department

For This Role We Would Need You To Demonstrate

You’ll be results-driven, people-focused, and confident leading from the front in a manufacturing environment.

Essential — You’ll bring:

• A proven track record in a similar role, ideally within a manufacturing environment
• A clear understanding of people management, Health & Safety, and quality systems
• Strong people management skills with the ability to drive performance and develop the team
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to plan workloads effectively and prioritise under pressure
• Demonstrated leadership skills — confident, committed, and able to accept responsibility
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written in English
• The ability to operate computers and computer software
• Competence in having difficult conversations with team members to ensure alignment with targets and processes
• The ability to develop effective working relationships across all departments

Desirable — Even better if you have:

• Previous experience within a ceramics manufacturing environment
• Familiarity with IT software including MS Office and ERP systems

What Your Colleagues Say About You

• A confident, hands‑on leader who leads by example
• Results-driven and accountable
• Calm under pressure and decisive when it matters
• A strong communicator who brings the team together
• Proactive, dependable, and always focused on delivery

Core Competencies

• Active Learner – Take every opportunity to grow your own capability
• Collaborates – Use your network, sharing knowledge and skills
• Plans and Aligns – Make it relevant, make it purposeful

Our Purpose, Values & Behaviours

At the heart of everything we do is our belief in being a Home for All, empowering people to Make a Difference.

We:

• Think Big, Learn Fast – Bring ambition to all processes, ensuring continuous evolvement
• Work It Together – Collaborate effectively, ensuring the right people are involved for the best outcomes
• Make The Hard Call – Prioritise efficiently, balancing pragmatism with empathy

Our values guide how we work every day:

• Aligned in how we collaborate
• Agile in the face of change
• Accountable to our commitments
• Action-led, with integrity and transparency

Why Join Us?

You’ll be part of a supportive and driven production team at our i54 site, with real ownership over your area and the people within it. This role offers hands‑on leadership, exposure to continuous improvement, and long‑term career development within a global manufacturing business.

Our Hiring Process

• Initial discussion with our Resourcing Team
• Interview process (1–2 stages depending on role)
• Successful candidates notified and start dates confirmed

Note for Recruitment Agencies

We manage our vacancies internally, preferring direct hires and referrals. When required, we engage agencies from our Preferred Supplier List (PSL). Speculative CVs from agencies not on our PSL will not be considered, and no introduction fee will apply.