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Production Lead – Food Manufacturing

Location: Telford
Salary: £50,000 – £52,750 per annum (depending on skills and experience)
Shift Pattern: 39.5 hours per week | Mon–Thurs 8:30am–5:00pm, Fri 8:30am–4:30pm

Are you a proactive leader who thrives in a fast-paced, high‑pressure manufacturing environment, and do you have previous experience in the Food Manufacturing / Food Packaging / FMCG sector?

We’re looking for a Production Lead to join our dynamic team, driving performance, problem‑solving challenges, and supporting continuous improvement across our automated production lines.

The hiring manager would prefer someone who has previous experience within the food manufacturing sector, and we are looking for someone who lives within a 25-mile radius of Telford (Shropshire).

This will be a 2-stage interview process, with the first stage consisting of a numeracy and literacy assessment on site in Telford, Shropshire.

This job would be a great fit for someone who has previously worked as a Production Manager, Shift Manager, Senior Production Manager, Production Operations Manager or Manufacturing Manager within the Food Manufacturing Industry.

What You’ll Do:

• Oversee daily production plans to ensure all resources, materials, and equipment are in place.
• Develop strategies to manage order flow and resolve issues quickly and effectively.
• Analyse short‑term performance data (24–72 hours) to drive improvements.
• Troubleshoot ongoing production challenges and escalate where needed.
• Monitor product quality and line efficiency, implementing targeted improvements.
• Chair development meetings, support product trials, and manage line changeovers.
• Oversee planned equipment maintenance and ensure machinery is operating optimally.
• Support operator performance, offering coaching, training, and development.
• Write and update SOPs, ensuring compliance with quality and safety standards.
• Provide technical assistance during major breakdowns.
• Plan and oversee effective cleaning processes for product quality and hygiene.

What We’re Looking for in a Production Lead:

• Previous experience within the food manufacturing / packaging industry.
• Experience in a high‑pressure, fast-moving manufacturing environment.
• Strong problem‑solving skills with the ability to develop logical, effective solutions.
• Proven leadership skills and a passion for developing teams.
• Excellent organisation, time‑management, and multi‑tasking abilities.
• A collaborative mindset and commitment to continuous improvement.
• Knowledge of food safety standards (HACCP, GMP) — desirable but not essential.

Job Location:

• This exciting opportunity is based in Telford (Shropshire).

If you are a Production Manager, Shift Manager, Senior Production Manager, Production Operations Manager or Manufacturing Manager with previous Food Manufacturing Industry experience and you are seeking a new job, then this could be the right role for you!!

Apply Now – Take the next step in your manufacturing leadership career!

Your CV will be forwarded to Jonathan Lee Recruitment, a leading engineering and manufacturing recruitment consultancy established in 1978. The services advertised by Jonathan Lee Recruitment are those of an Employment Agency.
In order for your CV to be processed effectively, please ensure your name, email address, phone number and location (post code OR town OR county, as a minimum) are included.

Are you ready to step into a role where operational leadership genuinely matters?
This is a critical opportunity to take ownership of performance within a defined value stream in a complex, regulated manufacturing environment where standards, discipline and delivery are non-negotiable.

As an Operations Manager, you will lead one of the site’s core operational areas, working alongside four other Operations Managers and reporting into a Head of Operations. You will hold full accountability for Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost and People within your area, with direct responsibility for front-line leadership and day-to-day execution.

This role requires visible, hands-on leadership, structured thinking and the ability to stabilise and improve performance within an environment that has historically underperformed. It will suit an operational leader who understands regulated manufacturing and is comfortable operating one layer below “Head of” level, owning delivery rather than strategy alone.

What You Will Do:

• Take full accountability for Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost and People performance within your defined operational area.

• Lead, manage and develop Production Supervisors, Team Leaders and shop-floor teams, setting clear expectations and consistent standards.

• Drive operational performance against KPIs including OTIF, scrap, labour utilisation, arrears and customer quality concerns.

• Manage the effective utilisation of labour, equipment and manufacturing resources to achieve stable, repeatable output.

• Apply lean principles pragmatically to improve flow, reduce waste and reinforce operational discipline within a standardised environment.

• Own the operational interface with planning, quality, logistics and engineering support functions to ensure alignment and execution.

• Manage customer delivery and quality issues using structured problem-solving tools to deliver robust, sustainable solutions.

• Drive disciplined use of the ERP system (IFS preferred), ensuring clean production and inventory data across RM, WIP and FG.

• Lead housekeeping and 5S standards, ensuring a safe, compliant and well-controlled working environment.

• Define and deliver annual improvement plans aligned to wider operational and business objectives for your value stream.

What You Will Bring:

• Proven experience in Operations, Manufacturing or Production Management within a regulated or structured manufacturing environment.

• Experience within defence, armour systems, aerospace or similarly compliance-driven sectors is highly desirable.

• A strong understanding of the contractual, procedural and audit-driven nature of regulated manufacturing programmes.

• Experience applying lean principles to low-volume or batch manufacturing, with a focus on flow, pull and standardisation.

• Practical experience using ERP systems from a production and inventory control perspective (IFS advantageous).

• The ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, including GD&T.

• A track record of improving operational performance, raising standards and developing front-line teams.

• Eligibility to work in the UK and meet nationality and security requirements associated with UK Eyes Only defence programmes.

• British nationality is essential, with eligibility for SC clearance due to the nature of the work.

Candidates combining experience in regulated defence-led environments with practical flow improvement experience will be particularly well suited to this role.

As an Operations Manager, you will be trusted with real accountability for your area and expected to make a tangible difference. This is not a role for maintaining the status quo; it is for someone comfortable dealing with legacy issues, reinforcing structure and driving sustained operational improvement at the value stream level.

You will play a key role in strengthening performance within a growing defence assembly function, directly impacting delivery, customer confidence and long-term capability.

Location:

This role is based in Gloucester, within a well-established manufacturing site supporting critical defence programmes.

Interested?

If you are a hands-on operational leader looking for a role with clear ownership, visible impact and long-term opportunity, we would like to hear from you.

Apply today to take the next step in your career as an Operations Manager.

Your CV will be forwarded to Jonathan Lee Recruitment, a leading engineering and manufacturing recruitment consultancy established in 1978. The services advertised by Jonathan Lee Recruitment are those of an Employment Agency.
In order for your CV to be processed effectively, please ensure your name, email address, phone number and location (post code OR town OR county, as a minimum) are included.

Exciting Opportunity: Process Operator

Are you ready to join an industry-leading company that stands at the forefront of innovation, quality, and efficiency? With over 90 years of experience, this company is a pioneer in providing high-strength, lightweight, and fatigue-resistant products made from the world's most advanced composite materials. They are currently seeking a dedicated Process Operator to become an integral part of their dynamic team. This role offers the chance to work on projects that make a real difference, in an environment that fosters growth, learning, and excellence. Working a favourable day shift with an early finish on a friday.

What You Will Do:

• Handle raw materials, ensuring their proper delivery and setup for work streams.
• Accurately place cut material shapes into various tools including preform, moulding vac form, composite, and steel tooling.
• Safely load tools, laminates, and preforms into compression presses, ovens, or autoclaves.
• Carry out finishing and assembly of composite components.
• Manage the packing and labelling of finished products.
• Perform lay-up of composite materials and operate presses.
• Accurately record production data as required.

What You Will Bring:

• A keen eye for detail and a commitment to maintaining high-quality standards.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment as well as independently.
• Strong organizational skills and the capacity to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Experience in a manufacturing or production setting, particularly within the composites or defence industries, is highly desirable.
• A proactive approach to problem-solving and a willingness to learn new skills.

Company Contribution & Industry Information:

This role is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to a company that is not just a leader in the defence sector but also a pioneer in commercial composites, serving industries such as medical, transport, aerospace, and energy. The Process Operator will play a crucial role in maintaining the company's reputation for excellence, delivering products that are up to 50% lighter than equivalent steel products while meeting the specific requirements of customers across various sectors.

Location:

This position is based at the company's state-of-the-art facility in Coventry, renowned for its cutting-edge armour design and military vehicle integration capabilities.

Join Us:

If you're passionate about making a tangible impact and ready to take your career to the next level, we want to hear from you. This is more than just a job; it's a chance to be part of a team that values innovation, excellence, and making a difference. Don't miss out on this opportunity to grow with a company that is shaping the future of the industry.

Apply now to become the next Process Operator and embark on a rewarding career journey!

Your CV will be forwarded to Jonathan Lee Recruitment, a leading engineering and manufacturing recruitment consultancy established in 1978. The services advertised by Jonathan Lee Recruitment are those of an Employment Agency.
In order for your CV to be processed effectively, please ensure your name, email address, phone number and location (post code OR town OR county, as a minimum) are included.