Location : Protein Works - Speke, Liverpool
Salary : Competitive
Job Type: Full time
Contract Type: Permanent
As a Shift Operations Manager (Manufacturing), you will be responsible for leading all on-shift production activities within the manufacturing facility, ensuring that output, quality, safety, and compliance standards are consistently achieved. You will oversee powder blending, Weighing, filling, packing, potting, labelling, and batch coding operations, maintaining strict control of Critical Control Points (CCPs), including sieve integrity and metal detection.
You will play a key role in the day-to-day execution of manufacturing operations, supporting the Head of Operations in delivering departmental KPIs and driving continuous improvement across shifts. This role requires a visible, hands-on leader capable of managing teams, maintaining asset performance, and ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient production of food products.
You will contribute to maximising throughput, minimising downtime, maintaining product quality and traceability, and ensuring a safe, disciplined production environment.
Key Accountabilities
Ensure full compliance with health, safety, food safety, and environmental regulations across all shift activities
Maintain adherence to GMP, HACCP, allergen controls, and site quality standards
Monitor and enforce Critical Control Points (CCPs), including sieve integrity checks and metal detection verification
Conduct safety observations, audits, toolbox talks, and risk assessments
Lead by example in promoting a strong safety and quality culture on the shop floor
Oversee all manufacturing operations during the shift, including blending, filling, packing, potting, labelling, and coding
Ensure production plans are delivered safely, on time, and to specification
Monitor output against targets such as UPH, CPU, KGPH, OEE, and schedule adherence
Manage changeovers, start-ups, and shutdowns to minimise lost time
Escalate and coordinate responses to breakdowns, quality issues, or material shortages
Ensure product traceability and correct batch documentation at all times
Lead, motivate, and support team leaders, operators, and support functions
Manage shift handovers to ensure continuity of information and performance
Plan and allocate labour in line with the production schedule and priorities Monitor attendance and manage shift coverage to maintain operational capability
Conduct performance reviews, coaching, and development activities
Support training, skills development, and succession planning
Use Short Interval Control, Daily Review Meetings, and GEMBA walks to identify and resolve issues promptly
Drive accountability for performance across all teams
Ensure products are manufactured to specification and customer requirements
Maintain strict adherence to quality systems, SOPs, and work instructions
Manage non-conformances, holds, and corrective actions
Support audits and inspections (internal and external)
Ensure proper control of allergens and cross-contamination risks
Identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and losses within production processes
Lead or support improvement initiatives using Lean manufacturing principles
Promote standardisation, 5S, and visual management
Drive initiatives to improve throughput, reliability, and cost efficiency
Work closely with Planning, Engineering, Quality, and Logistics to ensure operational alignment
Coordinate with maintenance teams to maximise equipment availability
Communicate shift performance, risks, and opportunities to senior leadership
Support new product introductions and process change
Skills/Experience
Proven experience in manufacturing leadership, ideally within FMCG, food, or pharmaceutical production
Strong understanding of GMP, HACCP, and food safety standards
Experience operating in a high-volume, shift-based or 24/7 manufacturing environment
Demonstrated ability to manage production teams and deliver performance targets
Strong knowledge of production KPIs (e.g., UPH, CPU, OEE, KGPH)
Experience with CCP management and quality control systems
Ability to analyse operational data and drive improvement
Knowledge of Lean manufacturing, 5S, or continuous improvement methodologies
Effective communicator with strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
Hands-on leadership style with a strong shop-floor presence
Core Behaviours
Pace: Know that speed is your greatest ally. It builds momentum and is key for growth. Go fast.
Communication: Know that team is your greatest asset. Talk to them face to face, Dont try to go alone.
Trust: When you say youll do it, do it. When someone asks for help, you give it.
Transparency: Nothing is off limits, to anyone at any time. Remove walls & call out red tape.
Challenge: Get comfortable with feeling uncomfortable. We need you to go where youre scared to.
Learn: Drive a culture of experimentation and continuous improvement.
360 Management: Manage up, down and across. Regardless of title, everyone is a leader. So Lead.
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