At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead liquid processing operations and manage a dynamic team to achieve excellence.
- Company: Join Dale Farm, a leading UK dairy co-operative with a commitment to quality.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive benefits, personal development opportunities, and a fast-paced work environment.
- Other info: Be part of a culture that values teamwork, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the dairy industry while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: 2 years' experience in manufacturing, strong leadership, and problem-solving skills required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: Cookstown
Job Ref: UDF/2025/565
Employment: Full-Time Permanent
Closing Date: 21 January 2026, 5:00 pm
Dale Farm Cooperative is a UK dairy farmer co-operative owned by over 1200 dairy farmers who supply us with fresh milk. Dale Farm has operations throughout the UK and Ireland producing and distributing a wide range of dairy products which it sells across the UK and Ireland as well as exporting to over 45 countries worldwide.
Culture: Our culture is based on setting best in class standards, working towards and delivering on committed objectives, striving for constant improvement and involving everyone in the company. We strive to develop our people and harness everyone's contribution to deliver a winning team.
Equal Opportunities: The company is an Equal Opportunities employer and is committed to a safe, inclusive and relationship-based workspace.
Benefits: In return, we offer a high degree of responsibility, plenty of challenge, good opportunities for learning and personal development and rewarding benefit packages, all within a fast-moving and results-oriented environment.
About the Role: As a Relief Shift Manager for Liquid Processing, you will report directly to the Liquid Processing Production Manager and play a key role delivering operational excellence within the department. Whilst covering for the Shift Manager you will be required to support the day-to-day operational management of the Liquid Processing department. You will manage a small team covering all aspects of liquid processing operations, including milk intake, liquid despatches, water processing and management, liquid evaporation and liquid stock control together with overall site responsibility out of normal management hours.
Key Responsibilities:
- Assist the Liquid Processing Management Team by overseeing all aspects of liquid processing operations whilst on shift, ensuring efficient and effective performance across all shifts.
- Support daily operations including milk intake, liquid dispatch, evaporation, and water processing to achieve operational targets and strategic objectives.
- Assist in managing all aspects of people management for your team, to include developing and empowering your team of operatives to assume ownership of their responsibilities, proactively monitoring and addressing poor performance, attendance, and communicating effectively with your team.
- Prepare regular production status updates and reports on a daily, weekly basis for the Production Manager highlighting key performance metrics, identify performance gaps, trends, potential challenges and improvements.
- Ensure all products meet customer specifications and quality standards.
- Maintain rigorous hygiene controls and manage the team to support food safety and audit readiness.
- Support the use of lean manufacturing techniques and initiatives with particular emphasis on lean tools such as Problem-Solving, Root Cause Analysis and Standard Work for the investigation and identification of preventative and corrective action.
- Ensure accurate stock control and inventory management.
- Take responsibility for minimising material wastage and improve yield accuracy through effective monitoring and reporting.
- Develop strong collaborative working relations with all internal departments including production, engineering, and quality and third-party contractors.
- Take ownership of compliance, and health and safety regulations, contributing to and ensuring adherence to site safety culture.
About the Person:
Essential Criteria:
- Minimum 2 years' recent relevant experience in a manufacturing or production environment.
- Previous experience in process control or operating plant machinery.
- Evidenced experience of H&S.
- Proficient in MS Office applications.
- Ability to work in an environment with competing priorities and manage multiple tasks effectively in accordance with production and delivery targets.
- Excellent problem-solving and organisational skills with a hands-on approach.
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to effectively communicate to a range of internal and external stakeholders, and to coordinate between different departments and senior management.
- Strong leadership qualities and the motivation to inspire all the team.
Desirable Criteria:
- Educated to degree level, preferably in a science or Food Technology discipline.
- Experience in lean manufacturing or process improvement techniques.
Completed application forms must be received online before 5:00pm on Monday 12th January 2026. Only applications from EU Nationals or those with a valid permit to work in the UK will be accepted.
We are an equal opportunities employer.
AMBITION | CURIOSITY | TEAMWORK | POSITIVITY | RESOLVE | ACCOUNTABILITY
Liquid Processing Relief Shift Manager in Cookstown employer: Dale Farm
Dale Farm Cooperative is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Cookstown where employees are encouraged to take on significant responsibilities and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement. With a strong commitment to personal development, competitive benefits, and a focus on teamwork, Dale Farm fosters a supportive atmosphere that empowers staff to excel in their roles while ensuring high standards in dairy production.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Liquid Processing Relief Shift Manager in Cookstown
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Dale Farm on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the company culture and what they really value in a candidate.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by knowing your stuff! Research Dale Farm’s operations, especially in liquid processing. We want to show that we’re not just interested in the role but also passionate about their mission and products.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a friend to do a mock interview with us. Focus on those key responsibilities mentioned in the job description, like team management and operational excellence, so we can nail our answers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After the interview, shoot a thank-you email to express our appreciation for the opportunity. It shows we’re keen and professional, which can set us apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Liquid Processing Relief Shift Manager in Cookstown
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the Liquid Processing Relief Shift Manager role. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific achievements that demonstrate your skills and impact in previous roles. We love to see how you've made a difference in your past positions!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Avoid jargon and long-winded explanations. We appreciate straightforward communication that gets right to the heart of your qualifications.
Apply Through Our Website:Remember to submit your application through our website before the deadline. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Don’t miss out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dale Farm
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the ins and outs of liquid processing operations. Brush up on your knowledge about milk intake, liquid dispatch, and hygiene controls. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're serious about the role.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed a team in the past. Think about times when you empowered your team or tackled performance issues. This will demonstrate your ability to inspire and lead, which is crucial for the Relief Shift Manager position.
✨Be Ready for Problem-Solving Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Have a few scenarios in mind where you used lean manufacturing techniques or root cause analysis to overcome challenges. This will highlight your practical experience and analytical skills.
✨Communicate Effectively
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. You’ll need to communicate with various stakeholders, so being able to convey your ideas effectively will be key. Consider doing mock interviews to refine your communication style.
