Shift Manager (Production Unit Leader)

VEKA UK Group; Burnley; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare cash plan

Employee assistance programme

Life assurance (4x salary)

Pension (6% employer contribution)

Annual profit share

Discounted gym membership

Free fruit & coffee machines

Subsidised vending machines

Cycle to work scheme

Holiday purchase scheme

Job summary

VEKA UK Group in Burnley is seeking a Shift Manager for our Extrusion operation. You will lead a production team, drive safe, efficient, high-quality performance, and foster accountability and continuous improvement on your shift.

You'll own shift targets across safety, quality, delivery and cost, coach and develop staff, manage attendance and conduct, and collaborate with other departments to meet production goals in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• Leads, motivates, and develops team members; provides coaching, feedback, and performance management.
• Leads and reinforces a strong safety culture; ensures team compliance with safety standards.
• Owns quality outcomes for the team; monitors performance metrics and drives corrective actions.
• Drives improvements in efficiency, quality, and cost through continuous improvement activities (Lean, CI).
• Provides direction on technical issues; coordinates maintenance to minimise downtime.
• Uses KPIs to make informed decisions and reports on outcomes.
• Leads resolution of complex issues and escalates when needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead and motivate your team to deliver safe, efficient and high-quality production performance across your shift.
• Take ownership of operational targets, ensuring resources, processes and equipment are effectively managed to achieve business objectives.
• Drive continuous improvement by using data, problem-solving techniques and team engagement to improve performance and reduce waste.
• Promote a culture of accountability, managing performance, attendance and conduct fairly and consistently.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, quality and operational standards, proactively identifying and addressing risks.
• Build strong working relationships across departments, maintaining clear communication and supporting the achievement of wider business goals.

Skills

Team leadership

Performance coaching

Safety culture

Lean

Continuous improvement

Data-driven decisions

Job description

The role

Do you enjoy leading teams, improving performance and achieving operational targets?

We are seeking a Shift Manager to join our Extrusion operation. Whilst previous extrusion experience is not essential, we're looking for a proven people leader with experience of managing teams, driving performance and delivering results within a manufacturing or production environment.

Leading a production team, you will be responsible for delivering safe, efficient and high-quality manufacturing performance while fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and employee engagement.

Working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, you will take ownership of shift performance, ensuring operational targets are achieved across safety, quality, delivery and cost. Through effective leadership, coaching and performance management, you will support the development of your team, drive high standards and create a positive working environment where individuals are empowered to succeed.

This is an excellent opportunity to make a significant impact within a well-established manufacturing business, leading a high-performing team and helping to drive operational excellence across the department.

What you'll do

• Lead and motivate your team to deliver safe, efficient and high-quality production performance across your shift.
• Take ownership of operational targets, ensuring resources, processes and equipment are effectively managed to achieve business objectives.
• Drive continuous improvement by using data, problem-solving techniques and team engagement to improve performance and reduce waste.
• Promote a culture of accountability, managing performance, attendance and conduct fairly and consistently.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, quality and operational standards, proactively identifying and addressing risks.
• Build strong working relationships across departments, maintaining clear communication and supporting the achievement of wider business goals.

In addition to the duties and responsibilities listed, the job holder is required to perform other duties assigned by the Manager from time to time.

For a full list of responsibilities, please see the job description.

What you'll need

• Leads, motivates, and develops team members; provides coaching, feedback, and performance management. Builds engagement, manages conflict, and fosters a collaborative, high-performing team environment.
• Leads and reinforces a strong safety culture; ensures team compliance with all safety, regulatory, and quality standards. Conducts risk assessments, leads incident investigations, and drives continuous safety improvement.
• Owns quality outcomes for the team; monitors performance metrics, identifies trends, and implements corrective actions to ensure consistent delivery against standards and KPIs.
• Takes accountability for team processes; drives improvements in efficiency, quality, and cost through structured continuous improvement activities (e.g., Lean, CI initiatives).
• Provides direction on technical issues, ensures effective use of equipment and resources, and coordinates maintenance or technical activity to minimise downtime and optimise performance.
• Uses operational data and KPIs to make informed decisions; tracks team performance, reports on outcomes, and implements actions based on insights and trends.
• Leads resolution of complex or high-impact issues; escalates appropriately where needed while maintaining accountability for outcomes and preventing recurrence.
• Plans and allocates work across the team to meet operational targets; balances priorities, manages resources, and ensures delivery against production/service goals.

What you'll get

• Healthcare cash plan
• Employee assistance programme
• Life assurance (4x salary)
• Pension (6% employer contribution)
• Annual profit share
• Discounted gym membership
• Free fruit & coffee machines
• Subsidised vending machines
• Cycle to work scheme
• Holiday purchase scheme

What we do

VEKA has been leading the global development of PVCu window systems for over 50 years, through design, innovation and customer focus. With factories in over 40 countries across Europe, Asia and America, VEKA is the world’s largest manufacturer of extruded PVCu products.

At VEKA, we are more than just a workplace; we are a global community of passionate individuals dedicated to excellence. We are innovators, constantly pushing boundaries to shape the future of our industry. We are collaborators, creating a culture of teamwork, accountability and mutual support. We are committed to the growth and development of our people because we believe that when our employees thrive, so does our organisation.

#WeAreVEKA - Are You?

VEKA embraces diversity and inclusion, welcoming applicants from all backgrounds. Join us in cultivating a workplace that celebrates individuality and promotes collaboration.