Production Shift Manager

Science In Sport Group is seeking a Production Shift Manager to ensure the efficient and safe running of production operations within a world-class food manufacturing facility. The role involves leading, supporting and coaching a team to meet quality, efficiency and cost targets while fostering a culture of continuous improvement, safety and high performance. The postholder works closely with Health & Safety, Engineering, Warehouse, Manufacturing, Quality and Supply Chain teams to meet shared objectives and maintain flexibility to support wider business needs.

• Ensure the efficient and safe running of production operations within a world-class food manufacturing facility, leading, supporting and coaching the team to meet quality, efficiency and cost targets while fostering continuous improvement, safety and high performance.
• Collaborate with Health & Safety, Engineering, Warehouse, Manufacturing, Quality and Supply Chain teams to meet shared objectives and maintain flexibility to support wider business needs.
• Foster a safety-first culture by ensuring health and safety procedures are followed, hazards are reported, risk assessments are adhered to, and accident investigations are completed thoroughly and in a timely manner.
• Ensure products meet quality standards by training staff, following BOMs and GMP guidelines, driving compliance through regular checks, training and corrective actions, and preventing HOLD stock and non-conformances.
• Execute the production plan efficiently, exceeding performance targets while controlling labour, waste and downtime, and communicate process improvement opportunities to reduce costs and increase productivity.
• Deliver the weekly plan within agreed BOM rates and standard costs, optimise labour allocation in line with BOM requirements, manage annual leave to minimise overtime and agency spend, and reduce changeover times.
• Capture, analyse and address root causes of production waste, recommend department-wide improvements, and ensure accurate stock returns (Back-to-Stock) in compliance with procedures to maintain stock integrity.
• Uphold quality and food safety procedures, investigate NCRs and HOLD stock incidents to implement root cause corrective actions, maintain audit-readiness through a Clean-As-You-Go culture, and manage production trials including documentation, communications and post-trial analysis.
• Lead a safety-first culture by promoting and implementing company safety policies, conducting risk assessments, ensuring only trained personnel perform specific tasks, identifying health and safety training requirements, and completing accident and near-miss reporting and investigations.
• Motivate, coach and develop the team, set SMART objectives for Line Leaders, manage performance through OKRs, 1-2-1s and coaching, deliver real-time positive feedback, recognise high performers through the MVP scheme, and communicate clear expectations regarding performance and conduct.
• Proactively address absence, performance and conduct issues in line with company policies, support employee relations cases including investigations and disciplinary hearings, and drive training and development to build capability and ensure operational cover.
• Provide clear and comprehensive shift handovers, escalate and resolve unplanned downtime with Line Leaders and Engineers, deliver toolbox talks, maintain accurate SAP databases and CMMS breakdown requests, and analyse production and cost data to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.

• Prior experience in a shift management role within a food or FMCG environment.
• Previous experience in a manufacturing environment with an understanding of production and warehouse processes and best practices.
• Knowledge of Health & Safety protocols and the ability to support a safe work environment.
• Proven leadership ability, capable of developing and managing a high-performing team.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to engage, coach and motivate a diverse production team.
• Health and safety focus and awareness, with full commitment to safe working practices and compliance.
• Problem-solving and decision-making skills, capable of quickly diagnosing issues and implementing effective solutions.
• Numeracy, literacy and IT proficiency, able to interpret BOMs, production data and KPIs, and utilise manufacturing software effectively.
• Attention to detail and organisation, ensuring accuracy in quality checks, compliance records and production execution.
• Resilience and adaptability, thriving in a fast-paced, high-pressure manufacturing environment.
• Awareness of Lean principles, capable of applying lean methodologies including 5 Whys and Root Cause Analysis (RCA) to identify inefficiencies, reduce waste and drive continuous improvement.
• Process-driven and results-oriented, with a strong focus on achieving targets while maintaining compliance and quality.
• Forward operational planning, able to balance short-term operational demands with long-term improvements and projects.
• High ethical standards and accountability, upholding company values and ensuring integrity in decision-making.

• Experience within the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry.
• Experience in leading a team, or aspirations to develop leadership skills.

• Blackburn, Head Office
• 11 hours, 4 on 4 off rotation

• On-site gym
• Cycle to work scheme
• Product discount
• Birthday day off
• Pension - employer contribution at 4%

Science In Sport Group is a world leader in sports and performance nutrition with two brands: SiS, which combines science and innovation to provide performance nutrition for professional athletes, sports and fitness enthusiasts and the active lifestyle community, and PhD Nutrition, a premium active-nutrition brand for the active lifestyle community. The brands sell through the phd.com and scienceinsport.com digital platforms, third-party online marketplaces including Amazon, and extensive domestic and international retail distribution.