Job Title: Production Lead - Evening Shift
Location: Braintree, Essex
Salary: £46,000 per annum + 20% Unsociable Hours Allowance = £55,000 per year
Standard Shift: Monday - Thursday, 4:00 PM - 12:00 AM; Friday, 3:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Initial Training Period: Monday - Thursday, 7:45 AM - 4:15 PM; Friday, 7:45 AM - 3:15 PM
Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent
Overview
We are currently recruiting for a Production Lead (Evening Shift) on behalf of our client. This is a critical role within the manufacturing team, responsible for overseeing operations, driving performance, ensuring quality standards, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives. The successful candidate will undergo initial training with the day team before transitioning into the evening shift.
Key Responsibilities
Team Leadership & Performance:
* Lead by example, ensuring a safe, productive, and high-performing work environment
* Deliver daily shift briefs focusing on quality, cost, delivery, and continuous improvement
* Motivate, coach, and manage a team to foster a high-performance culture
* Conduct appraisals and manage performance, attendance, and development
* Oversee manpower planning and skills allocation based on production needs
Production & Quality Management:
* Ensure KPI targets are monitored and achieved
* Liaise with support teams to resolve planning and resource issues
* Manage production changeovers, setups, and engineering changes
* Ensure compliance with EH&S, quality procedures, and internal audit standards
* Drive root cause analysis and implement corrective actions to address non-conformities
Process Improvement & Technical Oversight:
* Champion Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives (Kaizen, A3, FMEA)
* Monitor production flow, waste, downtime, and rework to maximize efficiency
* Support new product introductions and engineering trials
* Promote Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) and equipment availability
Skills & Experience Required
* Proven experience in a manufacturing leadership role
* Strong leadership, coaching, and team-building skills
* Excellent communication and problem-solving abilities
* Sound knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles
* High level of numerical, analytical, and computer literacy
* Ability to manage change, remain resilient, and maintain focus under pressure
* Strong understanding of customer expectations and cost of poor quality
Desirable Qualifications
* Relevant manufacturing/engineering degree or equivalent (HNC, City & Guilds Licentiateship, NVQ Level 4, etc.)
* Professional accreditation with an industry-related body (or working towards)
* Experience with FMEA, Poka Yoke, Kaizen, and process improvement techniques
* In-depth understanding of production cost drivers including waste and rework
Interested?
If you're a motivated production leader looking to join a dynamic and forward-thinking manufacturing environment, we'd love to hear from you.
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