Operations Team Lead in Liverpool

We are currently looking for an experienced Team Leader with a background in Food & Beverage manufacturing to join our team in Bradford. You will play a key part in ensuring the smooth day to day running of our Capri Sun production site.

The Bradford Soft drinks operation is the largest drinks plant in Princes, producing 26 million cases of Dilute and Carbonated drinks per year for Own label retail sale and for well‑known brands. The site has most recently gained a contract with Capri Sun, manufacturing the Capri Sun products for the UK from a bespoke unit on the Bradford site. Initial production on 2 lines commenced in October 2024, then expanding in March 2025 to 4 lines, each capable of 294M pouches per year whilst operating 365 days per year.

Working on a shift based flexible 24/7 days and night’s pattern, we are looking to create a self‑contained team based on the foundations of great teamwork and personal responsibility. You will be pivotal in leading your team of 12 skilled operators and engineers as we strive for operational excellence.

Job Purpose: Responsible for all outputs and activities (SQCDP) on your shift. Manage, develop and lead a multifunctional team, with continuous improvement at the heart of everything we do. Organise and motivate team to deliver key performance objectives within the QCDSP framework and agreed timescales and costs. Drive the Operational Excellence program in your area to be best in class.

Dimensions: Up to 13 direct reports – Operators, Engineers and all team members such as technical, warehouse and hygiene whilst on shift. Report to Capri Sun Manager.

People:

• Be supportive, act with integrity, show enthusiasm and embrace openness.
• Have detailed understanding of the Princes Manufacturing System (PMS) and maturity matrix, and site must win battle plans.
• Understand and implement lean manufacturing work practices including 5s, AM, problem solving (including root cause analysis) to drive continuous improvement activity at site.
• Provide cover for the Manufacturing Manager and fellow Operational Team Leaders for sickness and holidays.
• Effectively manage people resources through the attendance management policies, and conduct disciplinary hearings up to written warning stage.
• Conduct the quarterly performance reviews utilising the current performance management structure, carrying out any capability reviews as required.
• Effectively mentor, coach, and develop team members using the appropriate two‑way communication channels.
• Support any recruitment activity for key Manufacturing roles and carry out induction reviews as required.
• Conduct ongoing reviews of Standard Operating Procedures, re‑writing such procedures as required in line with the Integrated Management System.
• Ensure compliance with other HR and food safety policies and procedures.
• Define, shape, and contribute towards the organisational structure and plan towards a self‑managed team environment.
• Carry out behavioural audits and risk assessments in line with the health and safety management system.
• Ensure all training for all line personnel is documented using the appropriate skills matrix.
• Manage and monitor the labour, material and overhead budgets for the relevant shift.
• Effectively develop professional working relationships with other departments.

Plant:

• Arrange and co‑ordinate Planned Maintenance activities in conjunction with the Planning and Engineering departments.
• Manage the line via our digital infrastructure (SAP, MES, POKA, SCADA).
• Manage the delivery and reporting of Key Performance Indicators by shift.
• SAP management and reporting.
• Use Continuous Improvement methods for process optimisation and control.
• Manage and monitor the hygiene and housekeeping to the highest standards in accordance with site technical and customer requirements.
• Facilitate customer and technical audits (planned and unannounced).
• This is a paperless factory – confidence in working in a digital environment is essential.

Materials:

• Manage the quality control of incoming materials and report any variation or failures immediately to all key stakeholders.
• Accurately manage material consumption from the lines, highlighting areas for concern and driving countermeasures to ensure waste is tightly controlled.
• Monitor and update Purchasing data and units through MES.

Essential: To maintain product Food Safety, Legality, Integrity, Authenticity and Quality standards by ensuring all associated policies and procedures are adhered to.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience:

• Experience of managing a team in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience of coaching and developing people.
• Experience of working in a lean environment.
• Food Safety and Hygiene certified.
• Health and Safety Training.
• Intermediate level PC skills (Microsoft Office).
• Planned and Autonomous Maintenance understanding.
• Good working knowledge of digital reporting, planning activity at local level, material control.
• Experience of using manufacturing execution systems (MES).

Desirable:

• Basic Mechanical skills.
• IOSH certified.
• SAP knowledge.
• ILM Level 2/3 qualification (minimum Level 2 for internal applicants).

Key Behaviours:

• A Leader.
• Team Player.
• Takes Personal Responsibility.
• Tenacious, can do attitude.
• Always looking to improve.
• Resilient.

Benefits:

• 22 Days Annual Leave.
• 14.5% Pension – 5% Employee Opt In / 9.5% Employer.
• Enhanced Family Friendly & Carers Policies.
• Critical Illness Cover.
• Learning & Development Opportunities.

Country: United Kingdom

Location: Bradford

Business Area: Operations

Workplace Type: Hybrid

About Princes: The Princes Group has over 7,000 employees with offices and production sites in the UK, Netherlands, Italy, Poland, France and Mauritius. Princes manufactures 350 different food and drink products responsibly sourced and enjoyed by consumers every day. None of this would be possible without striving to be an employer of choice, where our colleagues are proud to represent our business.