Manufacturing Team Manager in London

Want to help us bring happiness to the world? Want to join an ambitious and fast growing global biscuits and confectionery business investing heavily in iconic global brands, infrastructure and people? Then this is the place for you. As proud bakers and chocolatiers and custodians of iconic global brands, we don’t compromise on the quality of ingredients in our products or on the people we hire. We are looking for entrepreneurial spirits who share our passion for bringing happiness to our consumers and who embody our Winning Traits. To succeed at pladis you need to be purpose-led, resilient and positive because we expect pace and agility, insist on collaboration and demand accountability. If that is your thing, then pladis offers global ambition, a clear Vision and roadmap for success, challenge, and unrivalled opportunities to learn and make an impact.

Site Introduction: Opened in 1902, our Harlesden site is a cornerstone of pladis UK’s manufacturing excellence. Home to over 575 dedicated employees, it produces iconic favourites including Chocolate Digestives, Chocolate Hobnobs, Rich Tea, and Mini Cheddars. As one of our largest and most dynamic facilities, Harlesden contributes 35% of pladis UK’s total volume, with products proudly exported to more than 65 countries worldwide.

Working Pattern: This is a rotating night shift role including weekends. Each shift is 12 hours 18:00-06:00. The full working pattern is as follows: 4 on 3 off, 2 on 2 off, 3 on 4 off, 3 on 2 off, 2 on 3 off. This position is available initially as a 12 month fixed term contract.

What will this role achieve? As a Manufacturing Team Manager, you will create a positive impact by leading, developing and empowering colleagues to deliver excellent results. Your purpose is to lead people, processes, products and plant performance, ensuring strong operational outcomes in line with site priorities. You’ll be accountable for critical metrics, team capability, and overall manufacturing efficiency. This role is based at our Harlesden factory in London and focuses on moulded products, including Digestives, Hobnobs and Chocolate Digestives.

What will be your key deliverables?

• Lead, coach and support your team (of approx. 35 Line Operators) to meet the expectations and behaviours outlined in their role profiles.
• Motivate and develop colleagues through regular feedback, skills assessments and ongoing competency development.
• Ensure production targets, labour plans and conformance-to-plan metrics are consistently achieved.
• Drive performance across key measures, including OEE, efficiency, waste, downtime, labour utilisation and product accuracy.
• Use and maintain key operational systems (e.g., Autostore, Workday, SAP, SFOL, Absence Manager) to ensure reliable and accurate management information.
• Facilitate effective communication across shifts and between operations, engineering and support functions using the tiered accountability process and escalation points.
• Promote a strong focus on customer service (internal and external), identifying opportunities to enhance satisfaction and service levels.
• Champion continuous improvement, identifying opportunities to reduce cost, improve standards and drive operational excellence.
• Ensure strict adherence to Quality Management Systems and all relevant procedures.

Bring your experience.

Essential

• Proven leadership capability with a track record of role‑modelling high standards, integrity and positive behaviours.
• Strong communication skills with the confidence to challenge, influence and motivate others.
• Experience managing teams in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience working within a Lean environment and applying Lean principles.
• Demonstrated ability to delegate effectively, empower colleagues and drive team performance.
• A strong sense of accountability and ownership.

Desirable

• Experience within bakery or savoury snacks manufacturing.
• A proactive approach to self‑development and building the skills needed to excel in the role.
• Ability to adapt positively to change and support others through transition.
• Experience coaching or developing colleagues to achieve strong performance.

What will the interview process be?

• Initial Telephone call with Talent Acquisition
• 1st stage interview – 45 minutes competency-based interview based on our company values and your experience.
• 2nd stage interview – 60 minutes – a technical interview to understand your skill set/case study or presentation interview.
• pladis does also use both Psychometric and Aptitude tests to support our processes so you may be asked to complete these as part of your process.

What does pladis offer you?

• Annual Incentive Plan (AIP)– this is the business’s annual bonus scheme.
• Private medical Insurance
• Enhanced parental leave and a supportive phased return-to-work program to help colleagues balance family and career.
• Stakeholder Pension Scheme
• Life Assurance Cover ~ upon enrolment to Stakeholder Pension Scheme
• 23 days annual leave
• Holiday Enhancement Scheme
• 1 Volunteering Day per year
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discount and Cashback Scheme – make your everyday spending work hard for you on major high street brands, supermarkets and services
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme
• Financial Wellbeing Support
• Access to great training and development opportunities

Our Values

• Purpose led – We’re energised and guided by our purpose to bring happiness with every bite
• Agile – We’re ever evolving, we never stand still, always improving for our customers and our consumers.
• Positive – We’re highly motivated optimistic, courageous, and we inspire each other to be better
• Resilient - We’re persistent in the face of setbacks, quick to adapt, learn and move forward
• Collaborative – We gain strength from operating as one pladis, winning and succeeding together

Best mix of ingredients pladis is an equal opportunities employer, like every great recipe we’re a thoughtful mix. A happy and inclusive place to work that’s as diverse as our consumers and the communities we support, live and work in, all around the world. Where every voice is heard, and difference is celebrated. Where fresh perspectives and new ideas help us grow and thrive.

Accessibility at Harlesden: Our Harlesden site has step‑free access, accessible entrances and lifts between floors to support individuals with mobility needs. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, and where possible to perform key job functions. pladis is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to hiring a diverse workforce. All openings will be filled based on qualifications without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, religion or any other classification protected by law.