At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to ensure safe and efficient production while driving continuous improvement.
- Company: Join a leading aerospace manufacturer committed to operational excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, training opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in aerospace production and develop your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in manufacturing supervision and knowledge of Lean principles required.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and development in a supportive team.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: Deeside, Flintshire
Reporting to: Operations Manager
Working Pattern: Shift-based (37 hours per week)
Travel: Occasional travel to other Triumph sites required
Position Summary
The Operations Shift Supervisor drives safe, compliant, and efficient production performance while leading a team of multi-skilled operators. This role develops and coaches a Cell Leader, building leadership capability and ensuring strong daily control of operations. Accountable for people, performance, workflow, and resource management, the Supervisor ensures full compliance with aerospace regulations and company standards. They champion continuous improvement, applying Lean principles, leading Kaizen events, and embedding standard work in partnership with the CI function, owning delivery and sustainment of improvements within the shift. Focused on meeting customer requirements on time, in full, and to quality standards, the Supervisor fosters a culture of safety, engagement, and operational excellence. This hands-on leadership role demands sound judgment, structured problem-solving, and collaboration across Operations, Quality, Engineering, and Supply Chain. Flexibility to support varying shifts and business needs is essential.
Key Responsibilities
- Operational Leadership
- Own shift performance, delivering against Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, and People (SQCDP) targets.
- Lead and coordinate production activities, ensuring optimal deployment of operators and Cell Leader.
- Plan and prioritise workflow to meet schedules, optimise resources, and maintain effective shift handovers.
- Monitor takt times and drive productivity improvements across assembly and test operations.
- Provide operational cover to maintain output continuity during absences or resource gaps.
- Cell Leader Development
- Coach and develop the Cell Leader, building capability in operational control, leadership, and continuous improvement.
- Set clear expectations and accountability, delegating appropriately while retaining overall responsibility.
- Support daily tier meetings, SQCDP boards, and improvement actions.
- Actively develop succession pipeline for future supervisory roles.
- Continuous Improvement
- Lead and embed Lean principles, Kaizen events, and structured problem-solving (e.g., 5 Why, 8D).
- Own SQCDP boards, tier meetings, and improvement action plans.
- Drive process stability, standard work, and productivity gains.
- Coach operators and Cell Leader in CI tools and behaviours to foster employee-led improvement.
- Quality & Compliance
- Ensure adherence to aerospace standards and internal procedures.
- Maintain product traceability, configuration control, and compliance with approved processes.
- Escalate and contain non-conformances; support audits, FAIs, and engineering changes.
- Partner with Quality and Engineering to resolve issues and prevent recurrence.
- Health, Safety & Environment
- Act as a visible safety leader, enforcing safe systems of work and compliance with HSE standards.
- Support risk assessments, incident investigations, and corrective actions.
- Maintain workplace organisation through 6S principles.
- People Leadership
- Lead, motivate, and engage the team of operators through inclusive, professional leadership.
- Manage performance, absence, training, and development plans in line with company processes.
- Conduct reviews, disciplinary investigations, and skills development activities.
- Reporting & Communication
- Monitor and report operational KPIs, supporting decision-making and continuous improvement.
- Communicate effectively across Operations, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, and HR.
- Support implementation of policies, procedures, and site initiatives.
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
Essential
- Proven experience supervising or leading teams in a manufacturing environment (aerospace preferred).
- Strong understanding of production operations, workflow control and resource planning.
- Working knowledge of Lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement tools.
- Ability to interpret production schedules, KPIs and operational data.
- Confident communicator with the ability to influence and engage at all levels.
- Competent IT skills, including ERP systems and Microsoft Office (Excel essential).
Desirable
- Experience working within an aerospace or highly regulated manufacturing environment.
- Knowledge of quality management systems.
- Experience supporting audits, FAIs or regulatory compliance activities.
- Formal leadership or supervisory training such as ILM, IOSH Managing Safely.
Operations Shift Supervisor in Buckley employer: Triumph Group
Contact Detail:
Triumph Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Shift Supervisor in Buckley
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those already working at Triumph or similar companies. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings and even referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to operations and leadership. Think about your past experiences and how they align with the role of Operations Shift Supervisor. We want you to shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your continuous improvement mindset! Be ready to discuss how you've applied Lean principles or led Kaizen events in previous roles. This will demonstrate your fit for the position and your proactive approach.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Shift Supervisor in Buckley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Operations Shift Supervisor role. Highlight your experience in leading teams, managing workflows, and any specific achievements in continuous improvement or Lean principles. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you a perfect fit. Don’t forget to mention your understanding of aerospace regulations and your commitment to safety and quality.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a hands-on leader, we value strong leadership skills. In your application, share examples of how you've motivated teams, developed talent, and driven performance improvements. We love seeing real-life stories that demonstrate your impact!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Triumph Group
✨Know Your Operations Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you understand the key responsibilities of an Operations Shift Supervisor. Familiarise yourself with Lean principles and continuous improvement tools, as these will likely come up in conversation. Being able to discuss how you've applied these concepts in past roles will show your potential employer that you're ready to hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role requires strong leadership capabilities, so be prepared to share specific examples of how you've motivated and developed teams in previous positions. Think about times when you've successfully coached someone or led a project, and be ready to discuss the outcomes. This will demonstrate your ability to lead and engage a team effectively.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and judgement. Prepare for scenario-based questions where you might need to explain how you'd handle specific operational challenges. Practising the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) can help you structure your answers clearly and effectively.
✨Emphasise Safety and Compliance
Given the importance of health, safety, and compliance in this role, be ready to discuss your experience with HSE standards and quality management systems. Highlight any relevant training or certifications you have, and be prepared to talk about how you've ensured compliance in past roles. This will show that you take safety seriously and understand its critical role in operations.