Shift Team Leader

Arla Foods Limited; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading dairy company in the UK is seeking an Operations Team Leader to manage production at its Settle Creamery. You will lead a team, ensuring operational excellence while maintaining safety and quality standards. The ideal candidate has production management experience from a food or FMCG background and a solid understanding of Lean principles. This role offers enhanced support due to site closure in 2027.

Benefits

Pro rata retention payment

Relocation support

Redundancy payment based on length of service

Qualifications

• We are willing to consider candidates with production management experience from either a food and beverage manufacturing or FMCG background.
• Knowledge of Lean tools and techniques.
• Effective communication skills.
• Planning & Organising of workloads.
• Cost awareness / performance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Manage the production and warehouse within the Settle Creamery.
• Deliver operational plans and set team objectives.
• Ensure a healthy, inclusive and safe working environment.
• Lead and manage production teams for performance improvements.
• Responsible for KPI development including safety and quality.

Skills

Production management experience

Knowledge of Lean tools and techniques

Effective communication skills

Planning & Organising of workloads

Cost awareness / performance requirements

Job description

Operations Team Leader

Arla Foods, Settle (BD24 9AE)

Rotating shift pattern including days and night shifts

Please note that due to the site closure which we estimate to be in the second half of 2027, we are offering an enhanced reward and support package to support our colleagues. This includes a pro rata retention payment (25% of average annual salary) as well as a redundancy payment based on length of service (no 2-year minimum service needed). We are also offering relocation support for colleagues staying with Arla following site closure as well as out service support for those colleagues who choose not to stay.

How will you make an impact?

Reporting into the Site Operations Manager, you will be responsible for managing the production and the warehouse within our Settle Creamery, with a total of 14 direct reports and up to 25 colleagues indirectly at any time on shift.

Other duties include:

• Responsible for delivering operational plans and setting day-to-day team objectives or acts independently to deliver the business policies and programmes within the production department.
• Ensures a healthy, inclusive and safe working environment, and safety mindset.
• Ensure quality and food safety within in own area of responsibility, and quality and food safety mindset
• Leads and manages the Production teams with an LCO mindset to jointly improve performance (using LEAN tools, APS, SPC, OEE), and is accountable for Continuous Improvements within the department.
• Responsible for KPI development including safety, quality, delivery, productivity & sustainability

What will you need to succeed?

• We are willing to consider candidates with production management experience from either a food and beverage manufacturing or FMCG background for this role

• Knowledge of Lean tools and techniques
• Effective communication skills
• Planning & Organising of workloads
• Cost awareness / performance requirements

Want to apply?

We are so excited to welcome you to the Arla family.

Please apply via this advert or our careers page. The closing date for applications is Wednesday 20th August 2025. If you have a question about the role, then please reach out to Rachel McDaid, Senior Talent Partner

Shape the Future of Dairy

Arla is a global leader in the dairy industry, committed to producing high-quality products while championing sustainability and innovation. We're passionate about people and our planet, striving to unleash the full potential in each of us. Our goal is to make healthy dairy nutrition and good food habits accessible to all. Join us at Arla Foods and become part of a worldwide cooperative dedicated to making a significant impact on the planet and steering the dairy industry towards a sustainable future.

We are devoted to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. Diversity and collaboration are key to our success, propelling us to new heights in the dairy industry.