Location: Attleborough
Department: Manufacturing
Reporting to: Production Stream Manager
Shift Pattern: Nights – 4 on 4 off - 6:00pm – 6:00am
About the Role
We have an exciting opportunity for a Production Shift Manager to join our Manufacturing team at Attleborough.
Working a permanent night shift pattern of 4 on 4 off (6:00pm–6:00am), you will be responsible for leading and developing a team of Production Team Leaders to maximise manufacturing performance, improve operational efficiency, and deliver outstanding standards in safety, quality, cost, and service.
You will play a key role in driving Operational Excellence (OPEX) initiatives, embedding best practice, and creating a high-performing culture that supports both business goals and customer expectations.
As part of the Pilgrim's Europe way of working, this is a site-based role, requiring visible leadership and close collaboration with operational teams across the factory.
Key Responsibilities
- Build and promote a strong safety culture through visible leadership and coaching.
- Champion our "Go for Zero" approach, ensuring a safe working environment for all team members.
- Ensure risk assessments are in place and corrective actions are completed.
- Monitor, report, and improve safety performance metrics.
- Promote a culture where food safety, quality, and authenticity are a condition of doing business.
- Ensure products are manufactured right first time and GMP standards are maintained.
- Escalate and manage significant quality concerns appropriately.
- Support the delivery of the Production Stream strategic plan and key operational objectives.
- Ensure Team Leaders clearly understand priorities, targets, and expectations.
- Deliver improvements in labour utilisation, waste reduction, OEE, and overall manufacturing performance.
- Manage and support planned and unplanned operational activities, including maintenance, audits, and production changes.
- Monitor ATP performance and respond effectively to escalations.
- Lead, motivate, and develop Team Leaders to create a high-performing and engaged workforce.
- Coach and develop teams using Operational Excellence tools and methods.
- Conduct regular 1:1s, performance reviews, and development conversations.
- Support recruitment, onboarding, and succession planning activities.
- Build a strong pipeline of talent for future business needs.
- Manage employee relations matters, including disciplinary and grievance processes, with HR support where appropriate.
- Create an environment where team members feel valued, heard, and empowered to contribute ideas.
- Drive Operational Excellence (OPEX) across the production stream.
- Ensure the area remains audit-ready across safety, quality, environmental, manufacturing, and asset management standards.
- Analyse operational data to identify trends, performance gaps, and improvement opportunities.
- Lead structured problem-solving activities using OPEX tools and methodologies.
- Improve operational standards including SOPs, work instructions, autonomous maintenance, process specifications, and 5S.
- Ensure KPIs are visible, accurate, and regularly reviewed.
- Drive closure of actions and issues through effective performance management.
- Lead projects and improvement initiatives that support site objectives.
- Identify and eliminate manufacturing losses, bottlenecks, and inefficiencies.
- Ensure improvements are embedded and sustainable.
- Drive continuous improvements that enhance customer satisfaction and business performance.
About You
We are looking for a passionate and driven manufacturing leader who can inspire teams, solve problems, and deliver results within a fast-paced FMCG environment.
- Strong communication and influencing skills.
- Proven ability to coach, develop, and motivate others.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capability.
- Experience creating, implementing, and sustaining operational standards.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience within an FMCG or food manufacturing environment.
- Knowledge of health and safety, quality, environmental, and asset management systems.
- Experience of Continuous Improvement, Manufacturing Excellence, or OPEX methodologies.
- Foundation level Health & Safety
- Food Safety qualification
- HACCP qualification
Why Join Pilgrim's Europe?
At Pilgrim's Europe, we are committed to developing our people and creating opportunities for long-term career growth.
Our benefits include:
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Career development opportunities within a leading international food business
- Ongoing training and leadership development
- Employee benefits and discount platform
- Wellbeing support programmes
- Collaborative and supportive working environment
- Opportunity to contribute to a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence
Our values are at the heart of everything we do:
Availability ¦ Humility ¦ Discipline ¦ Sincerity ¦ Ownership ¦ Determination ¦ Simplicity
Apply Now
If you are a people-focused manufacturing leader with a passion for continuous improvement and operational excellence, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply now to join Pilgrim's Europe as a Production Shift Manager Nights!