The primary function of the Production Shift Leader is to safely lead and coordinate a small team to deliver planned production outputs to the required quality, safety, and cost standards. The role combines hands-on production with front-line supervision, including resource allocation, machine setup/operation oversight, real-time problem solving, and accurate data logging for full traceability.
Critically, this role is mechanically minded—able to ensure production machinery runs as planned by performing and overseeing correct setups, verifying process parameters, making basic mechanical adjustments, identifying abnormalities early, and coordinating timely maintenance escalation to minimise downtime.
During set Monday–Friday shifts, the Shift Leader may be the responsible person on site when no other colleagues are present. In those instances, they are accountable for site safety, security, and incident escalation in line with company procedures, and must complete a comprehensive handover to the incoming Shift Leader at the end of their shift.
The role may also include goods receiving, storage, and dispatch tasks to support production and fulfilment during absence cover or higher demand. It relies on a blend of leadership, mechanical aptitude, manual handling, and proficient use of production machinery, warehouse equipment, and Basic IT systems.
Day to Day Responsibilities Include
* Leadership & Supervision: Be site Lead during a Monday–Friday fix shift, from Afternoon Shift: 14:30 – 23:00 (8.5 hours); Night Shift: 22:45 – 06:45 (8 hours)
* Lead a small team of operatives to meet or exceed plan: output and quality targets. Plan and allocate work aligned to the agreed production schedule (people, machines, materials); verify setups, changeovers, and first-off checks. Provide on-the-spot coaching, toolbox talks, and safety/quality briefings; ensure adherence to SOPs and work instructions. Monitor performance and behaviours; address issues promptly and professionally; escalate per the defined route when required.
* Site Responsible Person (when alone on site): Act as site keyholder/responsible person during the shift where applicable, ensuring safe systems of work, security, and emergency readiness. Stop work for any unsafe or non-conforming condition; initiate incident reporting; coordinate first response and contact emergency services if required. Maintain lone-working controls, visitor/contractor sign-in, and permit-to-work compliance (where applicable).
* Production, Machinery & Quality: Ensure correct, safe operation of machinery with appropriate PPE; perform/oversee start-up, in-process, and end-of-run checks. Mechanically minded oversight: ensure machines run as planned—carry out/verify correct settings, tensions, clearances, speeds/feeds, and material alignment; perform basic mechanical adjustments and changeovers (e.g., guides, blades/knives, rollers, sensors, guards) within training and authorization. Complete routine maintenance and visual condition checks; identify abnormal noise, vibration, heat, smell, or wear and take prompt corrective action or escalate to maintenance. Maintain quality standards: conduct line checks, sample inspections, and reject/segregation processes; complete deviation/NCR reports as needed. Troubleshoot minor issues, coordinate with maintenance for breakdowns, and minimise downtime; verify safe hand-back after intervention.
* Data, Reporting & Handover: Accurately log production data (Materials, outputs, scrap, downtime, process parameters) in line with traceability requirements. Update production shift reports /KPIs (e.g. Outputs and Reasons for downtime) and submit shift reports on time. Complete a structured handover to the next Shift Leader covering: safety, quality, production status, machine condition/settings, maintenance items, staffing, inventory variances, and open actions.
* Materials, Warehouse & Dispatch Support: Support/oversee goods in/out of the production area: receiving, processing, organising, and sending goods per procedures. Perform picking/packing/labelling/wrapping; load/unload pallets safely; verify paperwork accuracy. Maintain accurate stock control: location discipline, FEFO/FIFO, cycle counts, damage/defect checks.
* Health, Safety & Environment (HSE): Ensure full compliance with health and safety standards, PPE, housekeeping, and safe operating procedures at all times. Conduct/participate in risk assessments, near-miss/incident reporting, and corrective actions. Promote a “stop and fix” culture and continuous improvement mindset.
* Continuous Improvement & Training: Identify and lead small CI actions (waste reduction, setup reduction, standard work, 5S). Train and cross-train team members; verify competency and maintain training records. Contribute to audits and follow company procedures (e.g., ISO and FSC procedures where applicable).
Minimum skills, qualifications & experience include
* Fluent in English (spoken and written).
* Minimum 12 months experience in production/warehouse or similar environment; prior team-leading or acting-up experience is highly desirable.
* Mechanically minded with practical aptitude: able to perform basic mechanical adjustments, change parts, set tolerances, read gauges and measurement tools, and interpret machine alarms/diagnostics within training.
* Solid basic IT skills (MS Outlook, Word, Excel); comfortable with data entry.
* Knowledge of safe machine operation, quality standards, and basic problem-solving tools.
* Desirable: Valid FLT/powered industrial truck licence; basic LOTO awareness (or willingness to train); first aider/fire marshal (or willingness to train).
Physical and environmental considerations include
* Able to perform manual handling for the duration of the shift, including occasional lifting of heavy goods, using provided lifting equipment correctly.
* Able to work across office, warehouse, production area, and outdoor yard environments, with varying temperatures and weather conditions.
* Standing/walking for extended periods; safe operation of warehouse vehicles/equipment/machinery (after training/authorisation); confident use of basic hand tools and measurement devices.
This job description sets out the duties and responsibilities of the role described at the time when it was revised and updated as per the date below. Such duties and responsibilities may naturally vary from time to time without changing the general character of the duties, or the level of responsibility entailed. Such variations do not indicate a change in role, or the employee’s overall responsibilities.
Mayflower is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.