Manufacturing Supervisor in Trowbridge

The Meals Supervisor role is an important addition to the Meals Department, introduced due to the company’s expanded production volumes. The Supervisor is responsible for overseeing several production lines, ensuring these lines operate efficiently to produce the high volume and quality of product required. The role involves working with Line Leaders to understand line performance, troubleshoot mechanical, material or staff issues, and support them in resolving these challenges. The Supervisor will plan production runs, interpret Key Performance Indicators, and motivate staff effectively.

Main purpose of the job

To ensure the department operates at maximum efficiency with first‑time quality productivity. The Supervisor manages four lines to maximise performance.

Cover

Cover the Shift Manager’s role during holidays, absences, and training. Staff are trained to be multi‑functional and capable of carrying out numerous functions when needed.

Operations & Performance

• Deliver right‑first‑time production to agreed quality, cost and plan targets.
• Drive efficiency, productivity and material control across your lines.
• Identify and resolve issues to achieve 100 % plan attainment.

Quality, Food Safety & Hygiene

• Ensure accurate completion of quality and production documentation.
• Focus on reducing complaints through a strong right‑first‑time culture.
• Support BRC compliance and maintain AA standards.
• Champion high hygiene and food safety standards across the team.

Health, Safety & Environment

• Ensure full compliance with Health & Safety policies.
• Create and follow SOPs to support safe working practices.
• Report near misses and take part in behavioural safety audits.
• Minimise waste and promote environmental best practice.

People Leadership

• Lead, motivate and develop a high‑performing team.
• Conduct regular one‑to‑ones, return‑to‑work meetings and training plans.
• Plan labour effectively and ensure adherence to rules and procedures.
• Demonstrate great teamwork.
• Actively encourage feedback from the team with open and honest discussions.

Communication & Improvement

• Promote continuous improvement.
• Reflect and review performance daily with the team.
• Work collaboratively with other departments to resolve issues.
• Support NPD trials, projects and departmental improvement initiatives.

Essential

• Experience in a supervisory role in a factory setting.
• Have a can‑do attitude, be approachable and easy to get along with, comfortable leading and supporting people.
• A passion for food, customer service and delivering quality products to customers.
• Motivated and willing to learn.
• Able to make quick, reasoned decisions.
• Pro‑active communicator.
• Confidence with computers; basic familiarity with SAP and Microsoft Excel is required.
• Numerical skills – calculating line performance, labour hours and weights.

Desirable

• Experience planning labour.

This role is not eligible for sponsorship under the skilled worker route as it does not meet the minimum requirements set out under the UK Immigration Rules.

Benefits

• Competitive salary – accredited Living Wage employer.
• 25 days holiday per year, plus bank holidays.
• Option to purchase up to 5 additional holiday days per year.
• Discretionary annual bonus scheme.
• Pension scheme – employer matched contributions up to 4 %.
• Life assurance scheme worth at least 1 × annual salary.
• Subsidised canteen.
• Free parking.
• Free turkey or voucher at Christmas.
• Apetito perks scheme including salary sacrifice options and retail discounts.