Job Description: Production Team Leader (PTL)
Opportunity Overview
We are recruiting for a Production Team Leader (PTL) with the ambition, capability, and hunger to grow into the Business Unit Leader (BUL) role within 1–2 years. This is an excellent opportunity for a driven individual who wants to progress into senior management in a fast-paced, engineering-led manufacturing environment.
About the Role
The PTL will ensure that the team achieves daily customer requirements in Quality, Delivery, and Cost, while driving continuous improvement and maintaining a safe and efficient operation.
This person will focus on sustaining and improving Lean manufacturing practices — particularly flow and pull systems — by coaching and supporting Cell Leaders and team members. The PTL will be a hands-on leader, fostering positive behaviours, addressing poor performance constructively, and developing a culture of problem-solving, creativity, and continuous improvement.
Key Growth Expectation
Career Progression Goal: Evolve into the Business Unit Leader (BUL) position within 1–2 years.
Starting Salary: Up to £50,000, with clear growth potential within the first and second years, tied to leadership development and business impact.
Core Responsibilities
Leadership & People Development
• Coach and mentor Cell Leaders and team members to achieve consistent high performance.
• Foster a positive, accountable, and improvement-driven team culture.
• Address poor performance, absenteeism, and morale issues constructively and promptly.
• Lead daily QDC (Quality, Delivery, Cost) team huddles and maintain performance boards.
• Coordinate cross-training and ensure an up-to-date Training Matrix.
• Be a visible leader on the shop floor, motivating and guiding the team during Gemba walks.
Operational Excellence
• Uphold Lean principles, including standard work, one-piece flow, and visual management.
• Ensure real-time documentation (scrap sheets, FTT, production targets) is accurate and up to date.
• Drive continuous improvement (CI), Kaizen, and 5S initiatives.
• Maintain manufacturing systems and ensure all documentation and labelling align with current standards.
• Support the BUL in administering company policies and achieving performance targets.
Engineering & Process Improvement
• Strengthen our mechanical engineering and problem-solving capabilities, especially in:
- Sheet metal cutting and forming
- Tooling design and optimisation
- Turning and assembly processes
• Lead Gemba walks to identify and act on opportunities for safety, quality, delivery, and productivity improvements.
• Support flow cell setup, kanban systems, TPM, SMED, and visual management across the unit.
Administration & Systems
• Ensure accurate and timely Sage/MRP transactions (back-flushing, scrap, rework).
• Manage shift handovers, start-ups, and staff allocations effectively.
• Collaborate with the BUL to maintain correct TAKT times, staffing levels, and standard work splits.
Minimum Requirements / Qualifications
• Strong mechanical engineering background with hands-on capability.
• Proven experience in manufacturing, fabrication, and production assembly.
• Sound knowledge of Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methods.
• Proficiency in MRP/ERP systems (Sage experience an advantage).
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills — both verbal and written.
• Strong analytical, organisational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to motivate, support, and develop teams.
Company Values
We expect all team members — and especially our leaders — to live our values daily:
• Customer First – Always prioritise the customer, both external and internal.
• Dependable – Do what you say you will; follow through with excellence.
• Courageous – Be brave, take initiative, and act decisively when needed.
• Positive – Bring energy and a can-do attitude to every challenge.
• Problem Solver – Strive to deliver better engineered solutions for our customers.
Summary
This is a strategic development role designed for a high-potential leader ready to step into senior management within a short timeframe. If you have strong mechanical engineering knowledge, a passion for Lean manufacturing, and the leadership energy to inspire teams and drive improvement — we want to hear from you