At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a high-performing manufacturing shift and drive operational excellence.
- Company: Join a dynamic manufacturing team in Huntingdon with a focus on safety and quality.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, holiday purchase scheme, life assurance, and pension contributions.
- Why this job: Shape the culture of a key area and make a real impact on production performance.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading teams in a 24/7 manufacturing environment and strong problem-solving skills.
- Other info: Hands-on leadership style with opportunities for continuous improvement and career growth.
The predicted salary is between 50837 - 50837 ÂŁ per year.
We’re looking for a motivated Shift Manager to join our Manufacturing team in Huntingdon. This is a fantastic opportunity to lead a high‑performing production shift, drive operational excellence, and shape the culture and performance of a key area of our site. As Shift Manager, you’ll take ownership of all Extrusion operations on your shift, ensuring Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost and Morale remain at the heart of everything we do.
What you’ll be responsible for:
- Safety & Standards: Champion safe working practices and adherence to standard ways of working. Foster a positive safety culture, leading by example and driving improvements across the shift.
- Leadership & People Development: Lead, coach and develop a team of 13 direct and 2 indirect reports. Build a culture of manufacturing excellence by engaging, supporting and upskilling your team. Conduct performance reviews, manage training, and handle absence (holidays, sickness, RTW interviews).
- Performance Delivery: Drive operational KPIs through clear prioritisation, decision‑making and structured daily routines. Chair daily Tier 1 meetings, challenge non‑conformance and ensure robust countermeasures are in place. Work collaboratively with other Shift Managers and Functional Leads to exceed site targets.
- Communication & Collaboration: Deliver daily shift briefs and maintain strong communication through 11s, visual management and reporting. Feed key issues and improvement ideas into the daily Manufacturing Performance Review process.
- Problem Solving & Continuous Improvement: Work with Engineering to address breakdowns and machine issues promptly. Use structured problem‑solving and Lean tools—including 5S—to improve processes, increase output and reduce waste. Encourage a culture where improvement ideas are embraced and acted upon.
- Planning & Organisation: Ensure staffing and technical capability levels are sufficient to meet production demand. Manage absence effectively and support production trials as required. Maintain accurate records and ensure documentation (RA’s, SSOW’s, SOP’s) is consistently followed.
What you’ll bring:
- Proven experience developing high‑performing teams within a 24/7 manufacturing environment.
- Strong organisational and planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams.
- Confident communicator across all levels, written and verbal.
- Experience using Continuous Improvement and Lean tools in a production environment.
- Skilled in structured problem‑solving and navigating complex issues.
- A hands‑on leadership style—strategic when needed, but not afraid to get stuck in.
- Experience conducting performance reviews, coaching teams and managing difficult conversations.
- Strong IT capability (Excel essential; Power BI desirable).
Salary: ÂŁ50,837.37 per annum (inclusive of shift allowance)
Shifts: We operate a Panama style shift pattern which are 12 hours long and inclusive of day and night shifts and weekend working.
Benefits: Holiday Purchase Scheme, Life Assurance 6x annual salary, Critical illness cover, Pension contribution up to 10%
Manufacturing Shift Manager in Huntingdon employer: Aliaxis
Contact Detail:
Aliaxis Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Manufacturing Shift Manager in Huntingdon
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture before your interview. Check out their social media and website to see what they're all about. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your leadership stories! Think of specific examples where you've led a team or solved a problem. We want to hear how you’ve driven operational excellence and fostered a positive culture—so be ready to share those experiences!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to ask questions during your interview. It shows you're engaged and helps you figure out if this is the right fit for you. Ask about their approach to safety and continuous improvement—this is key for a Shift Manager role!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and serious about joining our manufacturing team in Huntingdon.
We think you need these skills to ace Manufacturing Shift Manager in Huntingdon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Shift Manager role. Highlight your experience in leading teams and driving operational excellence, as these are key aspects of the job. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our manufacturing team. Be sure to mention your hands-on leadership style and experience with Lean tools.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your past roles, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive performance and improve processes. Numbers speak volumes, so if you’ve increased output or reduced waste, let us know!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Aliaxis
✨Know Your Safety Standards
As a Shift Manager, safety is paramount. Brush up on the company's safety protocols and be ready to discuss how you've championed safe working practices in your previous roles. Show them you can lead by example and foster a positive safety culture.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've developed high-performing teams. Think about specific instances where you coached team members or handled performance reviews. They want to see your hands-on leadership style, so be ready to share how you engage and support your team.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Prowess
Familiarise yourself with Lean tools and structured problem-solving techniques. Be prepared to discuss how you've used these methods to improve processes and tackle complex issues in a manufacturing environment. They’ll appreciate your proactive approach to continuous improvement.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Strong communication is key for this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly, especially when discussing operational KPIs and daily routines. Be ready to explain how you maintain strong communication across shifts and collaborate with other managers to exceed targets.