Job Description

Shift Manager – Food Manufacturing

We are hiring for our client, an established family-owned food manufacturer with a long history of producing high-quality products, for an experienced Shift Manager to take responsibility for a busy 24/7 manufacturing operation.

This is a substantial operational leadership position, with the successful Shift Manager overseeing production, dispatch and stores while providing leadership to a workforce of over 100 employees. The Shift Manager will have real ownership of performance across their shift, covering people, safety, quality, output, efficiency and continuous improvement.

Top 3 Things to Know About this Job

1. Major Leadership Role – responsibility for a team of 100+ employees
2. Operational Ownership – oversee production, dispatch and stores across the shift
3. Established Food Manufacturer – join a successful, long-standing family business

The Role

• Take full operational responsibility for the shift, ensuring production schedules and customer requirements are achieved.
• Lead, coach and develop operatives, team leaders and other key shift personnel across a workforce of 100+.
• Monitor and drive KPIs covering output, efficiency, yield, waste, quality and downtime.
• Ensure appropriate staffing and resource allocation to maintain effective production.
• Manage attendance, performance and employee issues in line with company procedures.
• Maintain high standards of food safety, hygiene and quality, including compliance with BRCGS, HACCP and GMP requirements.
• Act as the senior Health & Safety lead on shift, managing incidents, hazards, risk assessments and corrective actions.
• Identify bottlenecks and operational issues, making timely decisions to minimise disruption.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, waste reduction and operational performance.
• Work closely with Maintenance, Quality, Supply Chain, Stores and HR.
• Produce accurate shift performance reports and ensure effective handovers between shifts.

The Person

• Previous supervisory or management experience within food manufacturing or a similar fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience leading sizeable operational teams.
• Strong understanding of production KPIs, operational efficiency and performance management.
• Good knowledge of Health & Safety and Quality standards within manufacturing.
• Strong problem-solving skills and confidence making operational decisions.
• Ability to coach, develop and performance-manage employees.
• Knowledge of BRCGS, HACCP and GMP would be highly advantageous.
• Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma or continuous improvement experience would be beneficial.

The Rewards

• Permanent opportunity with an established food manufacturing business.
• Significant operational responsibility and autonomy.
• Leadership responsibility for 100+ employees.
• Opportunity to influence site performance and continuous improvement.
• Strong scope to develop operational leadership experience within a large-scale production environment