Packing & Despatch Supervisor

Packing & Despatch Supervisor

Location: Seaham, County Durham
Salary: Competitive basic salary + £4,500 shift allowance
Shift Pattern: Monday to Friday – two-shift rotation

Select Talent Group (STG) is delighted to be partnering with Natara to support the appointment of a Packing & Despatch Supervisor.

About Natara

Natara is a global manufacturer of high-quality speciality ingredients used across the flavour, fragrance and consumer goods markets.

Operating across multiple international locations, Natara combines extensive technical and manufacturing expertise with a strong focus on quality, innovation and customer service. The business is continuing to invest in its people and operations as it builds a collaborative, high-performing and safety-led culture across its sites.

The Opportunity

This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for overseeing the Packing & Despatch and Goods In/Warehouse teams. You will lead a team of six, ensuring products are packed, handled and dispatched safely, accurately and on time.

The role would suit an experienced warehouse, packing or despatch supervisor who enjoys leading from the front, developing people and improving day-to-day operations within a manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and develop the Packing & Despatch and Goods In/Warehouse teams.
• Ensure customer orders are packed and dispatched on time and in full.
• Plan weekly packing requirements and maintain appropriate staffing levels.
• Maintain high standards across health and safety, quality, food safety and environmental compliance.
• Manage stock accuracy and ensure all system transactions are completed correctly.
• Ensure sufficient packaging materials are available to meet production requirements.
• Investigate departmental complaints and implement the necessary corrective actions.
• Lead continuous improvement activity across systems, processes and working practices.
• Conduct performance appraisals, return-to-work meetings and first-stage disciplinary processes where required.
• Coordinate cover for holidays, sickness and training.
• Maintain clean, safe and well-organised working areas.
• Lead the weekly open-order meeting and collaborate closely with production, supply chain and other internal teams.
• Complete routine equipment checks, including weighing scales, extraction systems and forklift trucks.

About You

You will ideally have:

• Previous supervisory or team leadership experience within a manufacturing, warehouse, packing or despatch environment.
• Experience handling chemicals within a warehouse environment.
• A strong understanding of health and safety, stock control and operational compliance.
• The ability to lead, motivate and train a team effectively.
• Excellent attention to detail and a strong customer-service mindset.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• A proactive, hands-on approach to problem-solving and continuous improvement.
• Strong communication and administrative skills.
• Experience using Microsoft Excel and Oracle would be advantageous.
• Dangerous Goods by Air or IATA certification would also be beneficial.

This is an excellent opportunity to take ownership of a critical operational function within an established global manufacturing business. You will have the autonomy to develop your team, improve processes and directly influence customer service, safety, quality and operational performance.