Production Team Leader

This job is with Kraft Heinz, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community. Please do not contact the recruiter directly.

Job Purpose: To support the effective and efficient running of the Production area, ensuring the highest standards are maintained across production throughput, material yield control, product quality, hygiene, housekeeping, and health and safety.
The role also supports strong team performance by working closely with colleagues across the Production area, clearly communicating expectations, and helping to plan, monitor, coordinate, and apply systems, policies, and procedures effectively.
Responsibilities and Accountabilities:
Do:

• Lead the production team during shift to achieve output, quality, safety, efficiency, and KPI targets.
• Ensure all colleagues follow site safety rules, food safety standards, GMP requirements, standard operating procedures, hygiene expectations, and cleaning standards, including CIP and allergen controls.
• Organize labor effectively across the production area to meet production requirements.
• Monitor line performance, downtime, waste, quality concerns, and other key measures, escalating issues where required.
• Support production start-ups, shutdowns, changeovers, sanitations, and line checks to ensure safe and compliant operation.
• Accurately transact within SAP and Mii, ensure production data is captured correctly, investigate discrepancies, and report findings to the Shift Manager.
• Ensure quality checks are completed and that any issues are reported to the Quality Department.
• Capture and act on short interval control data, using problem-solving techniques to identify root causes and implement appropriate solutions.
• Communicate effectively with the shift team and complete clear, accurate shift handovers.
• Monitor team performance against agreed measures and take action to drive continuous improvement.
• Coach, guide, and support team members to build capability, ownership, and engagement.
• Provide a clear and effective plan for the day and communicate key issues from the previous 12 hours to direct reports.
• Work closely with Quality, Engineering, Planning, EHS, and other support functions to resolve operational issues and maintain production flow.
• Apply company policies and procedures relating to safety, attendance, and people processes, including return-to-work and first-stage absence counselling.
• Ensure work instructions are accurate and up to date, develop new instructions where required, and make sure training, assessment, sign-off, and documentation are completed on time.

Improve:

• Progress operatives' development through cross training and continuous assessment of training needs.
• Support with the tracking of KPI performance and review the success of improvement activities with the Shift Manager.
• Support the Shift Manager and management in the implementation and improvement of procedures and processes for continuous improvement and future efficiency.

Key competencies:

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, direct and support a production team.
• Good understanding of food manufacturing, production processes, GMP and quality standards.
• Excellent communication skills, including confident handovers, escalation and team briefings.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and make effective decisions under pressure.
• Strong attention to detail, particularly in relation to safety, quality, documentation and compliance.
• Problem-solving mindset with the ability to identify issues, support root cause analysis and drive corrective actions.
• Good organizational skills with the ability to prioritize workload and manage changing production requirements.
• Positive, professional and approachable manner with a focus on teamwork and continuous improvement

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes.