Production Group Leader

About the role

The Group Leader oversees a shift team of operators to ensure safe, efficient and quality production in a food manufacturing environment. Acting as the frontline link between operators and the Production Stream Manager, the role drives the daily production plan, resolves issues in real time and promotes continuous improvement.

Key responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with health, safety and food safety regulations, acting as the primary on‑site emergency lead.
• Deliver the shift production plan, monitor KPIs and lead Tier 1 meetings.
• Allocate labour and resources, manage conduct issues, approve holidays and conduct return‑to‑work interviews.
• Maintain accurate shift handovers, production data, downtime records and raw material stock availability.
• Uphold product quality by enforcing GMP, SOPs, CCP checks and escalating quality issues.
• Lead, coach and develop operators, manage training compliance and foster a positive team culture.
• Drive basic continuous‑improvement activities such as 5S, waste reduction and standard work.
• Collaborate with Quality and Engineering teams to resolve issues quickly.

Required profile

• Proven leadership experience in a manufacturing or production setting.
• Strong understanding of production equipment, processes and safety standards.
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
• Ability to coach, motivate and organise teams effectively.
• Desirable experience in food production and basic lean manufacturing knowledge.

Required skills

• Lean manufacturing techniques (5S, problem solving)
• Knowledge of HACCP and GMP food safety standards
• IOSH Working Safely (or equivalent) certification