Shift Production Manager

Ruth Wagstaff Recruitment; Thurcaston; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare

Pension with company contribution

Annual bonus

Shift allowance

Career development

Job summary

Ruth Wagstaff Recruitment is recruiting a Production Shift Manager for a global leader in food and snack manufacturing at its largest UK facility in Leicester. You will lead a frontline team of 40-60 people, owning safety, quality and performance while coaching staff to achieve targets.

This role operates on 12-hour continental shifts (4 days on, 4 off, 4 nights on, 4 off), offering a clear path for career progression within a multinational company.

Qualifications

• Three years’ experience directly managing frontline teams.
• Strong people leadership and performance management.
• Experience using operational data to solve problems.
• Ability to make decisions under pressure in a complex environment.

Responsibilities

• Leading, coaching and developing a team of 40-60 people.
• Championing safety, quality, GMP and operational standards.
• Managing attendance, performance and conduct.
• Developing team capability through coaching and meaningful 1-to-1s.
• Using data and structured problem-solving to improve performance.
• Taking ownership and making effective decisions in complex/ambiguous situations.
• Working with operational leaders to drive continuous improvement.

Skills

People leadership

Coaching

Performance management

Data-driven problem solving

Communication

Organisational skills

Job description

Production Shift Manager

Leicester | £45,000-£46,000 + 23.5% Shift Allowance | £55,575-£56,810 + 7.5% Bonus

12-hour continental shifts: 4 days on, 4 off, 4 nights on, 4 off

Are you an experienced leader who enjoys taking ownership, developing people and making decisions in a fast-paced, complex environment?

Perhaps you've always wanted to move into food manufacturing but haven't been given the opportunity because your experience has been gained in another industry.

This could be that opportunity.

We're recruiting a Production Shift Manager to join a global leader in food and snack manufacturing at its largest UK manufacturing facility in Leicester. It's a large-scale, fast-paced operation with significant investment, genuine career opportunities and the chance to build your career within a global manufacturing business.

The Role

You'll lead a frontline team of approximately 40-60 people, taking responsibility for safety, quality, people and operational performance.

People leadership is at the heart of the role. You'll coach and develop your team, manage performance, set clear expectations and create an environment where people are empowered to perform at their best.

You'll also have real autonomy. Particularly when working nights, you'll need the confidence to solve problems and make sound decisions without always having senior leadership immediately available.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading, coaching and developing a team of 40-60 people.
• Championing safety, quality, GMP and operational standards.
• Managing attendance, performance and conduct.
• Developing team capability through coaching and meaningful 1-to-1s.
• Using data and structured problem-solving to improve performance.
• Taking ownership and making effective decisions in complex or ambiguous situations.
• Working with operational leaders to drive continuous improvement.

What We're Looking For

You don't need to come from food manufacturing to succeed here.

We're particularly interested in experienced leaders who have wanted to move into food or FMCG manufacturing but haven't previously been given the opportunity.

We're keen to hear from military personnel transitioning into industry, military veterans and leaders from non-food manufacturing environments, including automotive, aerospace, engineering, process and heavy manufacturing.

You’ll need at least three years’ experience directly managing frontline teams and the ability to demonstrate:

• Strong people leadership, coaching and performance management.
• Experience leading within a complex operational environment.
• The confidence to take ownership and make decisions under pressure.
• The ability to work effectively with ambiguity and limited information.
• Strong communication and organisational skills.
• Experience using operational data to solve problems and improve performance.
• Food or FMCG experience is welcomed, but it isn’t essential.

Bring us your leadership experience - we'll give you the opportunity to apply it in a world-class food manufacturing environment.

Why Join?

You’ll be joining the business's largest UK manufacturing facility, employing approximately 1,000 people and benefiting from around £60 million of investment in 2026 alone.

There are genuine opportunities to develop your career within a global organisation, with approximately 60% of recruitment taking place internally and opportunities for both progression and lateral career moves.

Salary & Benefits

• £45,000-£46,000 basic salary
• 23.5% shift allowance - total £55,575-£56,810
• 7.5% annual bonus
• Private healthcare, with family options through salary sacrifice
• Pension with up to 10% company contribution
• Career development and internal progression