Production Team Leader

PRODUCTION TEAM LEADER

Location: Padiham (Lancashire)
Salary: £31,0005/annum (increasing to £35,139/annum after full training)
Working hours: Monday to Thursday 8am-5pm
                                   Friday 07:50am-1:45pm

ROLE PURPOSE

We are seeking an experienced Production Team Leader to oversee and coordinate day-to-day manufacturing activities, ensuring production targets are achieved safely, efficiently, and to the required quality standards.

The role combines hands-on shop-floor leadership with responsibility for machine set-up, production planning, workflow coordination, stock control, documentation, and compliance with company procedures, ISO 9001 requirements, and Health & Safety standards.

The successful candidate will provide clear direction to production operators, maintain effective communication between departments, identify and resolve operational issues, and promote a positive culture of teamwork, accountability, quality, and continuous improvement.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Production Leadership & Workforce Coordination

Lead and coordinate a small team of production operators, providing clear daily direction and support.
Allocate work according to production priorities, individual capabilities, workload, and available resources.
Monitor progress throughout the working day and make adjustments where required to maintain production flow.
Provide hands-on support to operators and act as the first point of contact for day-to-day production issues.
Promote a positive and professional working environment based on teamwork, accountability, and high standards.
Provide clear communication and effective handovers to ensure continuity of production activities.
Machine Set-Up & Operational Control

Carry out machine set-ups, tooling and fixture changes, and adjustment of relevant process parameters.
Ensure equipment is operated safely and in accordance with approved procedures and work instructions.
Monitor machine performance and identify basic operational faults or process abnormalities.
Resolve straightforward production issues where possible and escalate engineering or maintenance requirements when necessary.
Support operators with correct machine operation and set-up procedures.
Assist with production trials, tooling changes, and implementation of new or amended processes.
Production Records, Stock & Traceability

Maintain accurate work orders and production information using the company ERP system.
Ensure materials and stock are issued correctly against production requirements.
Maintain accurate batch information, job records, production documentation, and traceability information.
Ensure production records are completed accurately and on time.
Maintain a high level of documentation discipline to minimise errors and support effective production control.
Quality, ISO 9001 & Health & Safety

Ensure production activities are carried out in accordance with company procedures, SOPs, quality requirements, and Health & Safety standards.
Promote safe working practices and ensure appropriate PPE is used within the production area.
Carry out routine checks relating to machine guarding, housekeeping, safe working conditions, and general workplace standards.
Support the company's ISO 9001 Quality Management System through accurate records, controlled processes, and adherence to documented procedures.
Identify and contain quality issues at source and support the investigation and resolution of non-conformances.
Complete or contribute to corrective actions where production-related issues are identified.
Escalate safety, quality, equipment, or process concerns promptly to the appropriate department.
Production Planning & Workflow Management

Organise and prioritise multiple production orders according to customer requirements, deadlines, available capacity, and equipment.
Maintain effective workflow between different stages of the manufacturing process.
Monitor potential bottlenecks, delays, material shortages, and equipment constraints.
Re-prioritise work when circumstances change while maintaining focus on safety, quality, and delivery.
Communicate production status, issues, and outstanding work clearly to management and relevant departments.
Continuous Improvement

Identify opportunities to improve productivity, workflow, quality, housekeeping, and overall operational efficiency.
Work collaboratively with Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, and Production Management to resolve recurring issues.
Encourage operators to raise improvement ideas and contribute to practical shop-floor improvements.
Support Lean principles such as workplace organisation, waste reduction, standardisation, and improved process flow.
Assist with process trials, new equipment, tooling, and changes to manufacturing methods.
Training & Competence

Support the induction and training of new production employees.
Train operators in machine set-up, safe working practices, process requirements, and standard operating procedures.
Support cross-training to develop a flexible and multi-skilled workforce.
Maintain training records and contribute to competency assessments and skills matrices.
Provide constructive feedback and identify opportunities for further employee development.
Lead by example and promote consistent adherence to company standards.
SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

Essential

Previous experience in a manufacturing or production environment.
Experience of supervising, coordinating, or leading production personnel.
Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing production priorities.
Practical experience of machine set-up and day-to-day production operations.
Good understanding of workplace Health & Safety and safe manufacturing practices.
Understanding of ISO 9001 principles and quality management procedures.
Experience maintaining production records, work orders, stock information, and traceability documentation.
Ability to identify and resolve basic operational and process issues.
Strong attention to detail and a disciplined approach to documentation.
Good IT skills, including experience with ERP systems, email, and basic spreadsheets.
Clear communication skills with the confidence to provide direction and enforce standards consistently.
DESIRABLE

Previous experience as a Senior Operator, Production Supervisor, or Team Leader.
Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, 5S, waste reduction, and continuous improvement techniques.
Experience working alongside Engineering, Maintenance, or Quality teams.
Ability to understand work instructions, basic technical drawings, and quality documentation.
Experience participating in corrective action or non-conformance processes.
Experience within a structured ISO 9001 manufacturing environment.
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

Calm, dependable, and able to maintain control in a fast-paced production environment.
Approachable and supportive while maintaining clear professional standards.
Organised, methodical, and attentive to detail.
Confident in making decisions and resolving day-to-day production challenges.
Positive and capable of motivating and developing a diverse production team.
Fair and consistent when managing performance and enforcing workplace standards.
Takes ownership of production performance, quality, safety, and team development.
Proactive approach to identifying problems and implementing practical improvements.
Comfortable working hands-on alongside operators and leading by example.
WHY THIS ROLE IS IMPORTANT

The Production Team Leader plays a key role in maintaining the safe and effective operation of the production department. By combining strong shop-floor leadership with sound process control, accurate documentation, quality discipline, and effective workforce coordination, the role directly contributes to production output, customer requirements, product quality, Health & Safety, and the ongoing development of the manufacturing operation
Only candidates based in UK and eligible to work in UK are allowed