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.