Team Leader

Kerry Inc.; Newport; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Matched pension up to 10%

Employee Assistance Program

OurVoice feedback program

OurShare share plan

Job summary

Kerry is seeking a hands-on Team Leader at the Portbury site to lead the Mixing team in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. You will coach, develop and engage staff while driving safety, quality and performance to meet customer and business targets. A requirement is having your own transport due to site location.

You will work closely with Production, Quality and Engineering to develop people, solve problems and foster a high-performing culture where everyone can succeed.

Qualifications

• Experience leading teams in manufacturing, food production, or processing environments.
• Strong people management and coaching abilities.
• Experience driving performance against operational KPIs.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Experience managing through change and conflict constructively.
• Continuous improvement mindset focused on engagement and efficiency.
• Good IT skills and experience using production systems such as SAP.
• Strong written, verbal and numerical data interpretation.
• Excellent organisation, prioritisation and time management.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and develop the Mixing team, creating a positive, high-performing culture.
• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with Health & Safety, Food Safety and Quality standards.
• Drive performance across KPIs including Safety, Quality, Attainment to Plan, OTIF, OEE, labour cost and waste.
• Coordinate labour and resources to meet production requirements.
• Coach and develop team members through training, feedback and performance management.
• Lead shift handovers and team communications.
• Ensure accurate completion of production records and SAP transactions.
• Monitor production performance, minimise downtime and address issues.
• Support investigations, root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and encourage team involvement.

Skills

Leadership experience

People management

KPI performance

Communication

Problem solving

Change management

Continuous improvement

Tools

SAP

Job description

Are you a hands‑on leader who thrives in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment? As a Team Leader at Kerry Portbury, you'll lead, coach and develop your team to deliver exceptional standards of safety, quality and performance. You'll take ownership of shift operations, driving productivity, continuous improvement and employee engagement while ensuring customer and business targets are achieved. Working closely with Production, Quality and Engineering teams, you'll play a key role in developing people, solving problems and creating a high‑performing culture where everyone can succeed. Due to the location of the site, having your own transport is essential.

What will you do?

• Lead, motivate and develop the Mixing team, creating a positive, high‑performing and engaged culture.
• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with all Health & Safety, Food Safety and Quality standards.
• Drive operational performance across key KPIs including Safety, Quality, Attainment to Plan, OTIF, OEE, labour cost and waste.
• Coordinate labour and resources effectively to meet production requirements.
• Support, coach and develop team members through training, feedback and performance management.
• Lead effective shift handovers and team communications.
• Ensure accurate completion of production records and SAP transactions.
• Monitor production performance, minimise downtime and eliminate issues where required.
• Support investigations, root cause analysis and the implementation of corrective actions.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, encouraging team involvement and problem‑solving.
• Maintain excellent housekeeping standards and ensure audit readiness at all times.

You’ll ideally have

• Previous leadership or supervisory experience within a manufacturing, food production or processing environment.
• Strong people management, coaching and team development skills.
• Experience driving performance against operational KPIs.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong problem‑solving and decision‑making abilities.
• Experience managing through change and dealing constructively with conflict.
• A continuous improvement mindset with a focus on engagement and operational efficiency.
• Good IT skills and experience using production systems such as SAP.
• Strong written, verbal and numerical skills with the ability to interpret and analyse data.
• Excellent organisation, prioritisation and time management skills.
• High attention to detail and a process‑driven approach.

Employee benefits

• Employee benefit platform with discounts and offers for retailers online and offline, travelling, utilities and more
• Matched pension scheme up to 10%
• Employee Assistance Program, supporting your emotional, physical, nutritional and financial wellbeing
• Inspiring People - Kerry's Global Recognition Program
• OurVoice, opportunity to share your feedback on the work environment every year
• OurShare, Kerry share plan available to all employees, with option to enroll once a year
• MyCommunity, have one day per year to volunteer for a worthwhile cause

About Kerry

Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition partner for the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries. Working behind the scenes, every day we partner with customers to solve the world's most complex food challenges with our range of differentiated ingredients, technologies, and people. We are passionate about what we do and are constantly innovating to create a healthier, more enjoyable, and sustainable food future without compromise. We are driven to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition and will reach over two billion consumers with sustainable nutrition solutions by 2030.

Our Safety purpose "we work together in a caring culture where everybody goes home safe every day". We are committed to providing a safe working environment and ensuring that all safety protocols are strictly followed. Join us in creating a workplace where safety is everyone's responsibility.