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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team in a dynamic manufacturing environment, ensuring safety and quality standards.
- Company: Join a family-owned global business with a strong market position and growth potential.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, annual bonus, 25 days holiday, and private medical insurance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by leading a skilled team and driving continuous improvement.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in manufacturing and strong people-management skills.
- Other info: Exciting career progression opportunities in a supportive and innovative workplace.
You could be just the right applicant for this job. Read all associated information and make sure to apply.
Paddock Wood, Kent
£50,000 – £55,000 + bonus + excellent benefits
Double day shift (6am–2pm / 2pm–10pm, rotating)
The Company
We are recruiting on behalf of a family-owned, global manufacturing business supplying specialist ingredients to some of the world’s best-known breweries and beverage producers. The site is semi-automated and highly process-driven, with production underpinned by scientific and food-grade manufacturing standards. The business invests heavily in R&D, has a strong market position with minimal competition, and is currently in a period of sustained growth. Internal promotion and long-term career development are actively encouraged.
The Role
An opportunity has arisen for a Production Shift Manager to lead a rotating double day shift at a modern manufacturing site in Kent. You will be responsible for a team of approximately 10 production operators, with full ownership of shift performance, safety, quality, and continuous improvement. This is a hands-on leadership role within a regulated, high-standards environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead safely: Build and maintain a proactive health & safety culture, challenge unsafe behaviours, conduct audits and ensure incidents are investigated with actions closed.
- Develop people: Coach, mentor and train operators to create a skilled, flexible and engaged team.
- Manage performance: Own all shift activities including labour planning, production targets, quality checks and documentation.
- Maintain hygiene standards: Champion food-grade hygiene and high housekeeping standards.
- Drive improvement: Lead daily GEMBA meetings, track KPIs and deliver continuous improvement initiatives.
- Take accountability: Lead CAPA investigations, identify root causes and implement long-term corrective actions.
About You
Essential:
- Proven leadership experience in a manufacturing or production environment.
- Strong people-management and coaching skills.
- Good understanding of production processes, quality systems and hygiene standards.
- Confident managing performance through KPIs.
Desirable:
- Experience in a brewery or other process-driven environment.
- Knowledge of FSSC 22000 and/or ISO 9001.
- Background in food, drink, chemical or scientific manufacturing.
Shift Pattern
Week 1: 6:00am – 2:00pm
Week 2: 2:00pm – 10:00pm
40 hours per week
Salary & Benefits
£50,000 – £55,000 (inclusive of shift allowance and loyalty payment, paid 13 times per year)
Annual bonus linked to business performance
25 days holiday + bank holidays
Pension: Employer contribution of 9% (minimum employee contribution 2%)
Private medical insurance
Wellness cash plan (dental, optical and wellbeing benefits)
Flexible benefits platform with retail, gym and lifestyle discounts
Clear opportunities for career progression and internal promotion
Production Shift Manager in Tonbridge employer: Pioneer Selection Ltd
Contact Detail:
Pioneer Selection Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Production Shift Manager in Tonbridge
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the manufacturing industry, especially those who know about production roles. A friendly chat can lead to insider info or even a referral that could get you noticed.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your leadership style. This will help you showcase how you can contribute to their proactive health & safety culture.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially around managing performance and driving improvement. Use specific examples from your past experience to demonstrate your skills in coaching and mentoring.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Production Shift Manager in Tonbridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully: Before you start your application, make sure to read through the job description thoroughly. We want to see that you understand the role and how your experience aligns with what we're looking for.
Tailor Your CV: Don’t just send out the same CV for every job. We love it when applicants tailor their CVs to highlight relevant experience and skills that match the Production Shift Manager role. Show us why you're the perfect fit!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us about your leadership style and how you’ve driven improvements in previous roles. Make it personal and engaging – we want to get to know you!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pioneer Selection Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the production processes and quality systems relevant to the role. Brush up on your knowledge of food-grade hygiene standards and any specific regulations like FSSC 22000 or ISO 9001. This will show that you're not just a leader, but also someone who knows the ins and outs of the industry.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in a manufacturing environment. Think about times when you coached or mentored team members, managed performance through KPIs, or drove continuous improvement initiatives. Be ready to discuss these experiences in detail during the interview.
✨Safety First
Since this role involves building a proactive health and safety culture, be prepared to talk about your approach to safety in the workplace. Share any experiences where you challenged unsafe behaviours or conducted audits, and explain how you ensure incidents are investigated thoroughly.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the company's culture, their approach to R&D, and opportunities for career progression. This not only shows your interest in the role but also helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.
