Team Leader - Nights in Stockport

Team Leader – Nights

Salary : £35,000 – £45,000 (Depending On Experience)

Hours : 9 : 30pm – 6 : 00am (Nights) – Final shift of the week is Thursday night

Breaks : All breaks fully paid

A leading plastics manufacturing business is seeking a hands‑on Team Leader to oversee a night‑shift production cell of 7 staff, including a Setter, Warehouse Operatives and Packers. This role ensures consistent production flow, high‑quality output, safe working practices and strong team performance.

We’re looking for someone who leads from the front confident, organised, and capable of driving standards in a fast‑paced, process‑led environment. Your leadership will directly influence operational performance and be rewarded through a quarterly bonus linked to productivity, attendance and cell efficiency.

Main Purpose of the Role

To lead and manage a production cell during the night shift, ensuring safe, efficient and high‑quality output. Responsible for team performance, OTIF delivery, scrap reduction, process adherence, training, return‑to‑work management, disciplinary conversations, and maintaining compliance with SOPs and Health & Safety requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, supervise and motivate a team of 7 to achieve shift production targets.
• Conduct performance reviews, 1-to-1s and training needs assessments.
• Manage return-to-work interviews and disciplinary processes when required.
• Maintain clear communication across shifts and with management teams.
• Set expectations, uphold standards and ensure team accountability.

Operational Performance

• Drive OTIF results through effective planning, coordination and shift control.
• Monitor and reduce scrap, ensuring root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Track cell KPIs and escalated issues promptly.
• Work closely with the Setter on changeovers, start‑ups and minimising downtime.
• Complete all shift reports, production logs and associated documentation.

Process Control & Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with SOPs, work instructions and quality protocols.
• Conduct in‑shift audits to maintain standards and identify improvement opportunities.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives within the cell.

Health & Safety

• Maintain a safe working environment, enforcing company H&S procedures.
• Lead safety checks, incident reporting and follow‑up actions.
• Ensure all staff are trained, competent and working safely.

Training & Development

• Provide on‑the‑job training, refresher coaching and skills development.
• Keep training records accurate and up to date.

Bonus Scheme

• A quarterly bonus scheme is available, assessed against :
• Productivity
• OTIF
• Scrap reduction performance
• Attendance
• Overall cell efficiency

Required Skills & Experience

• Previous leadership experience within plastics, manufacturing or similar.
• Confident people manager, capable of leading a mixed‑skill team.
• Strong understanding of OTIF, scrap management, SOPs and production KPIs.
• Excellent communication, organisation and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong knowledge of safe working practices and quality standards.
• Able to work night shifts reliably.

Ideal Candidate

Firm, fair and focused. Someone who runs a shift with confidence, keeps standards high, and raises team performance through consistent leadership and a practical understanding of manufacturing.

If you are interested in this role my client is happy to consider canididates who are available for a January start, however they will also consider candidates who are able for February starts and beyond, contact 5S Recruitment ASAP