At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead packaging operations, ensuring quality and safety while motivating your team.
- Company: Join St Austell Brewery, a proud heritage brand with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, career development, and a pension scheme.
- Other info: Flexible working patterns and excellent training opportunities await you.
- Why this job: Make an impact in a hands-on leadership role within a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in production, strong problem-solving skills, and a commitment to safety.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
At St Austell Brewery, we’re proud of our heritage, our people and the quality of every drop we produce. From grain to glass, we care about doing things the right way, supporting our teams, investing in development, and creating a collaborative environment where everyone can thrive. We’re looking for a motivated and experienced Packaging Shift Lead to join our team. This is a hands‑on leadership role where you’ll lead your shift team to deliver safe, efficient and high‑quality packaging operations.
As the most senior person on shift, you’ll take ownership of performance across multiple packaging lines, ensuring production targets are met while maintaining exceptional standards of safety and quality. You’ll be a key problem solver on shift, supporting your team, resolving issues, and driving continuous improvement across the department.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Leading packaging operations across your shift, including start‑ups, changeovers, running and cleaning
- Ensuring production meets quality standards, specifications and schedules
- Acting as the key escalation point for operational and technical issues
- Monitoring performance and identifying opportunities for improvement
- Driving a strong safety culture and proactively managing risks
- Supporting and delivering training to develop team capability
- Ensuring all quality checks and audits are completed accurately and on time
- Managing materials, minimising waste and maximising yield
- Leading clear and engaging shift handovers
What We’re Looking For
- Experience in a production or manufacturing environment, ideally in a team leader or supervisory role
- Strong problem‑solving skills and ability to make decisions under pressure
- A hands‑on approach with the confidence to lead and motivate a team
- Good technical understanding of production or packaging operations
- Commitment to safety, quality and continuous improvement
- Relevant qualifications (or willingness to work towards): HACCP Level 2, FLT Counterbalance Licence, General Certificate in Packaging
Working Patterns
You will work 40 hours a week, from Monday to Friday, on a shift pattern that alternates mainly between earlies and lates. You will be expected to work a night shift every 1 in 3 weeks but flexibility is important to meet production requirements.
Shift Times Are As Follows
- Earlies – 6:00 am to 2:30 pm
- Lates – 2:00 pm to 10:30 pm
- Nights – 10:00 pm to 6:30 am
The Benefits
- 30% discount on food & drink within the managed estate & visitors centre
- 50% discount on accommodation within the managed estate
- Fantastic training & career development opportunities
- Pension Scheme – 4% employee and employer. Can increase to 5% if required
- Cycle to work scheme
- Company bonus scheme
- Westfield Health cash plan – Claim money back for Dental, Eye Care, Physio etc
- Westfield Rewards – Shopping rewards
- Free parking
St Austell Brewery is an Equal Opportunities employer. We encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates, regardless of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital/civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity. We also welcome requests for flexible working. Early applications are encouraged as we’ll review applications throughout the recruitment process and reserve the right to close the advert at any time.
Packaging Shift Lead employer: St Austell Brewery
At St Austell Brewery, we pride ourselves on our rich heritage and commitment to quality, making us an exceptional employer for those seeking a rewarding career in the brewing industry. Our collaborative work culture fosters personal and professional growth, with fantastic training opportunities and a strong emphasis on safety and continuous improvement. Located in a vibrant community, we offer unique benefits such as generous discounts, a pension scheme, and a supportive environment where every team member can thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Packaging Shift Lead
✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups
Getting involved in local manufacturing groups or associations can seriously boost your visibility. These groups often have insider info on job openings and networking events, plus they help you connect with like-minded folks in the industry. Check out what's happening in your area!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Practical Spaces
Consider participating in workshops or open days at manufacturing companies. It's a great way to show off your hands-on skills in a real-world environment and can sometimes lead to job offers right on the spot. Keep an eye on announcements from local manufacturers for these opportunities!
✨Leverage the Power of Internships
While you're looking for full-time positions, don't underestimate the power of internships! Even if you don't see a direct role, securing an internship at a company can open doors to future jobs. Many manufacturing firms prefer to hire from their intern pool, so it's definitely worth considering.
✨Apply Directly Through Company Websites
When you find a role at a company you love, like St Austell Brewery, apply directly on their website. This way, you’re more likely to be noticed by the hiring team. Plus, showing that you took the time to seek out their application process highlights your genuine interest in the firm!
We think you need these skills to ace Packaging Shift Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to St Austell Brewery specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at St Austell Brewery
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with St Austell Brewery, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like St Austell Brewery value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
