Production Team Leader - 1412

React Recruitment Ltd; Rochester; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days leave + BH

Free parking

Pension

Job summary

Our manufacturing client is seeking an experienced Production Team Leader to direct day-to-day operations at the Hoo, Rochester site, with rotating shifts and potential night work. You will lead a technical team, drive safety, quality, and continuous improvement, and ensure production plans are met in a regulated environment.

You will coach operators and technicians, manage shift resources, and partner with Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, and EHS to optimise throughput and minimise waste.

Qualifications

• Experience leading teams in a regulated manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on with plant equipment and automated systems.
• Strong knowledge of GMP, safety, and compliance requirements.
• Degree or apprenticeship in Engineering/Manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day production operations to meet shift targets and KPIs.
• Maintain safety culture and ensure compliance with GMP/ISO/HSE standards.
• Lead, coach and onboard operators and technicians; manage shift resource planning.
• Drive lean continuous improvement initiatives and develop SOPs.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, and Supply Chain to resolve issues.

Skills

Safety leadership

Lean manufacturing

People management

Continuous improvement

GMP/FDA compliance

Engineering mindset

Production scheduling

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

Automation 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.

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.