At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a night-shift team in CNC production, ensuring quality and efficiency.
- Company: Established aerospace engineering business in Bristol with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Generous annual leave, healthcare plan, pension, and training opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace committed to diversity and personal development.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact in aerospace manufacturing.
- Qualifications: Experience in CNC machining and team leadership required.
Location: Bristol
Salary: £50,000 - £55,000 per annum, DOE
Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 10:00pm - 6:00am
Contract: Permanent, Full-Time
We are recruiting an experienced CNC Production Shift Lead to oversee night-shift manufacturing operations within an established aerospace engineering business in Bristol. This is a hands-on leadership position combining responsibility for people, production and performance with practical CNC machining knowledge. You will lead and support the night-shift team, ensuring production targets are achieved safely, efficiently and to the required quality standards. You will also provide technical support across CNC turning and milling operations, helping operators resolve machining issues, complete machine setups and maintain consistent output.
Key Responsibilities
- Team Leadership
- Supervise and support production employees throughout the shift
- Allocate workloads and manage staffing levels effectively
- Coach, mentor and develop operators
- Address performance, attendance and shop-floor issues professionally
- Conduct detailed shift handovers
- Maintain clear communication between the shop floor and management
- Production Management
- Ensure production targets, KPIs and deadlines are achieved
- Monitor machine performance and production output
- Identify and resolve operational issues
- Coordinate workflow across CNC machining activities
- Work closely with Production, Quality, Engineering and Maintenance
- Maintain accurate shift and production records
- CNC Machining Support
- Provide hands-on support across CNC turning and milling operations
- Assist with machine setups, tool changes and offset adjustments
- Support operators in resolving technical machining issues
- Interpret engineering drawings and tolerances
- Improve machining efficiency, accuracy and output
- Ensure machines are operated safely and effectively
- Quality and Continuous Improvement
- Ensure components meet engineering drawings and quality requirements
- Support first-off inspections and in-process quality checks
- Use micrometers, verniers, gauges and other measuring equipment
- Investigate defects and support corrective actions
- Identify production inefficiencies and improvement opportunities
- Support lean manufacturing and process optimisation initiatives
- Reduce machining waste and improve productivity
- Health and Safety
- Ensure health and safety procedures are followed throughout the shift
- Monitor the correct use of machine guarding and PPE
- Identify and report hazards, incidents and near misses
- Support workplace risk assessments
- Promote a proactive safety culture across the team
- Act as the responsible person on site during the night shift
Skills and Experience Required
- Previous experience leading or supervising a manufacturing team
- Strong hands-on CNC machining knowledge
- Experience supporting CNC turning and milling operations
- Knowledge of machine setups, tooling and offset adjustments
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings
- Understanding of machining tolerances and quality requirements
- Experience monitoring production output and KPIs
- Confident managing workloads and allocating resources
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
- Experience conducting shift handovers
- Ability to coach and develop production employees
- Good understanding of manufacturing health and safety requirements
- Strong communication and people-management skills
Experience within aerospace, precision engineering or another highly regulated manufacturing environment would be advantageous. Knowledge of AS9100 quality standards would also be beneficial. First Aid at Work and Fire Marshal training would be desirable; however, relevant training can be provided.
Benefits
- 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays
- Company pension
- Healthcare cash plan
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Employee referral scheme
- Enhanced family-friendly benefits
- Training and development opportunities
If you are an experienced CNC Shift Leader, CNC Team Leader or Production Supervisor looking for a permanent night-shift opportunity, please apply with your updated CV. If you are interested and have the relevant experience, please apply with an up-to-date copy of your CV.
As champions of diversity and inclusion in the workplace, THOMAS Professional commit to reviewing applications we receive with complete fairness and equality. At THOMAS Professional, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process, please let us know, and we’ll be happy to accommodate your needs.
THOMAS Professional is acting as an agency on behalf of the client for this position. THOMAS Professional is proud to be a corporate member of the REC, the recruitment industry's leading professional body.
CNC Production Shift Lead (Night Shift) in Bristol employer: THOMAS Professional
Join a leading precision engineering manufacturer in Poole, where you can thrive in a supportive work culture that values hands-on expertise and leadership development. With flexible working hours, a modern facility, and genuine opportunities for career progression, this role as a CNC Mill/Turn Machinist Team Leader offers not just a job, but a pathway to long-term stability and growth in the aerospace sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land CNC Production Shift Lead (Night Shift) in Bristol
✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups
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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!
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✨Apply Directly Through Company Websites
When you find a role at a company you love, like THOMAS Professional, 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 CNC Production Shift Lead (Night Shift) in Bristol
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 THOMAS Professional 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 THOMAS Professional
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with THOMAS Professional, 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 THOMAS Professional 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.
