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 and Friday, 3:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Initial Training Period: Monday - Thursday, 7:45 AM - 4:15 PM and 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.
TPBN1_UKTJ