Production Lead

Production Lead

Alexander Steele Recruitment are delighted to be partnering with a growing premium drinks manufacturer to recruit a Production Lead.

This is an exciting opportunity to join an ambitious and expanding manufacturing business at a pivotal stage of its growth. As production volumes continue to increase and the business expands into international markets, they are looking for a hands-on Production Lead to take ownership of the day-to-day running of the production floor.

Reporting to the Operations Manager, you'll be responsible for leading the production team, ensuring quality control processes are consistently followed, maintaining high operational standards and driving production performance. This role will be instrumental in embedding a culture of accountability, quality and continuous improvement, allowing the Operations Manager to focus on supporting the wider growth of the business.

This is a hands-on leadership role suited to someone who enjoys leading by example, developing people and creating a high-performing production environment where quality and efficiency go hand in hand.

The Role

As Production Lead, you will be responsible for ensuring the smooth day-to-day operation of production, maintaining high standards of quality, safety and efficiency while leading and developing the production team.

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the day-to-day running of the production floor, ensuring production plans are delivered safely, efficiently and on schedule.
• Lead, motivate and support the production team, setting clear expectations and fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Champion quality throughout the manufacturing process, ensuring quality control procedures are fully embedded, consistently followed and maintained as production volumes continue to grow.
• Monitor production output and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce waste and maximise productivity.
• Ensure all products are manufactured in accordance with customer specifications, food safety standards and internal quality procedures.
• Work closely with the Operations Manager to implement and maintain robust production and quality processes that support continued business growth.
• Carry out regular production line checks, ensuring any quality or operational issues are identified, investigated and resolved promptly.
• Ensure production documentation is completed accurately, maintaining full traceability and compliance with company procedures.
• Deliver effective team briefings, coaching and on-the-job training to develop capability and encourage high performance.
• Promote excellent housekeeping standards and ensure Health & Safety procedures are adhered to at all times.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across Operations, Warehouse and Quality to ensure production runs smoothly and customer expectations are consistently met.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and contribute ideas that enhance production performance, quality and operational efficiency.

About You

We're looking for an engaging, hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and enjoys developing people while maintaining high operational standards.

You'll be comfortable making decisions on the production floor, leading from the front and ensuring quality and performance expectations are consistently achieved. You'll have the confidence to hold people accountable when required, while creating a positive, supportive and collaborative team culture.

You'll ideally have:

• Previous experience as a Production Lead, Production Supervisor, Manufacturing Team Leader, Shift Supervisor or Production Team Leader within a food, beverage or FMCG manufacturing environment.
• Experience implementing, maintaining or driving adherence to quality control processes within production.
• A strong understanding of food safety, quality standards and manufacturing best practice.
• Excellent leadership, communication and people management skills.
• A proactive, hands-on approach with the ability to motivate teams and drive performance.
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills with the ability to prioritise workloads in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience working with production KPIs, efficiency, waste reduction and continuous improvement initiatives.

Desirable Experience

• Experience within drinks manufacturing, food manufacturing or wider FMCG production.
• Knowledge of spirits or premium beverage production would be advantageous, although this is not essential.
• HACCP and food safety qualifications, or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience supporting a manufacturing business through periods of growth or increased production capacity.

What's on Offer

• The opportunity to join a rapidly growing premium manufacturing business at an exciting stage of its journey.
• A hands-on leadership role with genuine responsibility and the opportunity to influence production performance and quality standards.
• The chance to play a key role in shaping production processes and supporting the continued growth of the business.
• A collaborative and supportive working environment.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.

If you're an experienced Production Lead, Production Supervisor or Manufacturing Team Leader looking to join a growing manufacturing business where you can make a genuine impact, we'd love to hear from you.