Responsible for:
Senior Operative
Factory Operatives AND
Volunteers and individuals on work placements
HOURS
Mon - Thu - 08:00 - 16:30
Fri - 08:00 - 13:00
1. Principal Purpose of the Role
The Production Supervisor will lead a small production team, ensuring the smooth and effective operation of the factory in the manufacture of various pet products. The role combines commercial production responsibility with the provision of a safe, supportive, and inclusive working environment for people with disabilities, including paid staff, volunteers, and individuals on work placements.
Production must meet agreed commercial quality standards and delivery timescales, while taking into account the individual skills, abilities, and support needs of the workforce.
The role includes responsibility for ensuring individuals on work placements are appropriately assessed, monitored, supported, and allocated suitable tasks, with their safety and wellbeing maintained at all times.
The post holder will act with integrity and will value, respect, and actively promote equality, diversity, dignity, and inclusion.
3. Key Responsibilities
Health & Safety
Take overall responsibility for health and safety supervision within a complex factory environment that includes staff and volunteers with disabilities, heavy-duty machinery, and individuals with varying levels of experience
Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, ISO9001, HACCP systems, and Independence Matters policies
Provide appropriate supervision to staff and volunteers, assessing individuals’ capability and suitability for specific tasks
Ensure safe systems of work are in place, machinery pre-start checks are completed, and required documentation is maintained and reviewed
Ensure all staff and volunteers receive appropriate induction, training, refresher training, and contamination control awareness
Assess individuals’ capacity, behaviour, and attitude to ensure safe placement within the factory
Monitor and carry out machinery maintenance, ensure documentation is completed, and report issues to the Factory Manager
Ensure awareness and compliance with Fire Safety, First Aid, and individual responsibilities
Take immediate action and report any health and safety concerns, unsafe practices, or machinery misuse
Organise and manage factory clean-downs to maintain a safe working environment
Provide appropriate First Aid provision across the workforce
Service Performance (Commercial and In-House)
Set daily and weekly production schedules to meet customer demand, delivery timescales, and stock requirements
Adjust production plans based on machinery capacity, raw materials availability, clean-down requirements, and labour resources
Plan production schedules for holiday periods to support forward planning
Ensure appropriate placement and support of individuals on work placements based on training needs, disabilities, and capabilities
Ensure staff provide high-quality support, instruction, and supervision to volunteers
Monitor and order raw materials, tools, and PPE to ensure continuity of production
Directly undertake high-level production tasks (e.g. forklift operation, band saw use, baling) where required
Diagnose and resolve machinery breakdowns to minimise production disruption
Implement changes to procedures and health and safety systems, ensuring clear communication to staff and management
Liaise with external engineers and develop internal knowledge of machinery where safe and appropriate
Motivate individuals, build effective teams, and manage varying abilities, restrictions, and attitudes, including mandatory placements
Performance Management
Encourage and support staff and individuals on work placements to achieve and improve productivity relative to their abilities
Deliver inductions, training, and refresher training aligned to work plans and development needs
Assess learning needs and ensure individuals are appropriately prepared before working on the factory floor
Maintain accurate records of material usage, wastage, and production output
Manage day-to-day personnel issues, including conflict resolution where required
Organise and lead regular team talks covering production, quality, machinery, and performance
Implement lean manufacturing techniques to reduce waste, downtime, and inefficiencies
Accurately record daily production outputs and staff performance into KPI systems
Monitor KPI data to ensure accurate timings, processes, and performance measurement
Ensure all staff meet required factory operative standards and report concerns to management
Attend trade shows when required to promote the business within the pet sector
Make operational decisions during the absence of the Factory Manager (within agreed authority limits)
Assess factory capacity and resources in consultation with the Factory Manager when considering new products, work, or customers
Quality Assurance
Carry out daily quality checks and ensure completion of all required documentation
Conduct final quality checks prior to despatch
Ensure staff understand and comply with quality standards, particularly when supporting volunteers
Resolve quality issues arising from work placements, machinery breakdowns, or raw material non-compliance
Work to meet or exceed business performance targets
Ensure full traceability of raw materials through to finished products
Assess new materials and suppliers in collaboration with the Factory Manager
Carry out quarterly stock takes of raw materials, finished goods, and work in progress, ensuring accuracy of records
Equal Opportunities
Ensure all activities comply with NCC Equal Opportunities policies and procedures
Ensure staff and individuals on work placements understand their responsibilities
Contribute to recruitment processes using values-based recruitment approaches
General Duties
Make operational decisions when required to ensure business continuity, including during management absence, where expenditure does not exceed £1,000
4. Special Conditions
The post is subject to an appropriate level of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
You must hold an FLT licence
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential Criteria
GCSEs (or equivalent) in Maths and English
Minimum of two years’ experience in a first-line supervisory role
Proven experience within a small commercial production or manufacturing environment
Machinery maintenance and/or engineering experience
Competent IT skills
Experience working to ISO9001 quality control systems
Strong self-management and motivation skills
Ability to prioritise workload and manage interruptions
Ability to influence, motivate, and develop others
Ability to work to deadlines
Physically fit and able to move heavy materials and finished goods
Flexible and willing to engage in all aspects of factory floor operations
Ability to complete and pass Counterbalance Forklift Truck training
Ability to complete and pass First Aid at Work training and provide first aid cover
Desirable Criteria
Current First Aid qualification
Fire Marshal qualification
Production line design experience
Experience working with people with disabilities
Stock control experience
Lean manufacturing and/or Six Sigma experience
Band saw operation experience