At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop a dynamic production team in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking food manufacturer focused on innovation and quality.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, 33 days holiday, and flexible working hours.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by overseeing exciting projects towards automation in production.
- Qualifications: Experience in production management and strong leadership skills are essential.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a supportive and safety-focused workplace.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 45000 £ per year.
Location: Basildon, Essex
Salary: £40,000 - £45,000
Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 10:00am – 6:30pm (Some flexibility may be required to support production needs)
Holidays: 33 days (Bank Holidays included and Christmas off)
Reports To: Production Manager / Operations Manager
Manages: Approximately 15 production operatives
Job Purpose
The Production Shift Manager is responsible for leading, supervising, and developing a 15-person production team within a food manufacturing environment. The role is highly hands-on and shop-floor based (70:30), ensuring that daily production targets are met safely, efficiently, and to the highest food safety and quality standards. The Business is currently a manual production line and they are interested in moving towards a more automated production line.
Key Responsibilities
- Production & Operations
- Oversee day-to-day production activities during the shift to ensure output targets are met
- Ensure products are manufactured in line with company specifications, recipes, and quality standards
- Monitor workflow, labour allocation, and productivity across manual processes and new production lines
- Support the implementation and optimisation of production lines and improved processes
- Identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for continuous improvement
- Provide visible, hands-on leadership on the shop floor throughout the shift
- Supervise, motivate, and manage a team of approximately 15 production operatives
- Allocate tasks and ensure appropriate staffing levels across production areas
- Carry out daily briefings, on-the-job coaching, and performance feedback
- Ensure full compliance with food safety, hygiene, and allergen controls
- Maintain standards in line with BRC, SALSA, HACCP, and internal food safety procedures
- Ensure correct documentation is completed accurately and on time
- Carry out regular quality and hygiene checks during the shift
- Promote a strong health and safety culture on the shop floor
- Ensure safe working practices are followed at all times
- Conduct risk assessments, toolbox talks, and incident reporting as required
- Communicate effectively with the Production Manager and wider operations team
- Provide clear handovers and shift updates
- Report on production performance, staffing, issues, and improvement ideas
Skills & Experience
- Previous experience in a production supervisory or shift management role
- Knowledge of BRC, SALSA, HACCP, or similar food safety standards, ideally within food manufacturing or FMCG
- Strong people management and team leadership skills
- Hands-on approach with the ability to lead from the shop floor
- Good understanding of food safety, hygiene, and quality standards
- Ability to manage performance, attendance, and day-to-day operational issues
Production Shift Manager employer: Alexander Steele
Contact Detail:
Alexander Steele Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Production Shift Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the food manufacturing industry. You never know who might have a lead on a Production Shift Manager role or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of BRC, SALSA, and HACCP standards. Show them you’re not just a manager but a safety champion who knows how to keep things running smoothly.
✨Tip Number 3
When you get that interview, be ready to talk about your hands-on leadership style. Share examples of how you've motivated teams and tackled production challenges head-on.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Production Shift Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Production Shift Manager role. Highlight your experience in production supervision and any relevant food safety standards like BRC or HACCP. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about leading a production team and how you can contribute to our shift operations. Keep it engaging and personal – we love a bit of personality!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: In your application, don’t forget to showcase your people management and team leadership skills. Share examples of how you've motivated teams or improved processes in previous roles. We’re all about hands-on leadership here at StudySmarter!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from our site!
How to prepare for a job interview at Alexander Steele
✨Know Your Production Standards
Familiarise yourself with BRC, SALSA, and HACCP standards before the interview. Being able to discuss these in detail will show that you understand the importance of food safety and quality in a production environment.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team in a production setting. Highlight your hands-on approach and how you motivate and manage your team to meet targets while maintaining safety and quality.
✨Be Ready for Process Improvement Discussions
Think about any past experiences where you've identified inefficiencies or bottlenecks in production. Be prepared to discuss how you would approach optimising processes and implementing new production lines.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice how you'll communicate shift updates and handovers. Clear communication is key in this role, so be ready to demonstrate your ability to convey important information effectively to both your team and management.