Production Leader

Production Leader role within a large, established service business Stability, longevity and progression Excellent opportunity to grow and develop career About the Company: Our client is a well-established national provider of essential textile, workwear and hygiene services. Operating a network of processing and distribution sites, they collect used garments and linen from customers, professionally launder, repair and quality-check items, then deliver them back ready for reuse. Their services support sectors including healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, food production and facilities management, helping customers maintain hygiene standards and keep employees safely equipped with clean, compliant workwear and textiles. Role Overview: Production Leader As Production Leader, you will take responsibility for a key area of the factory floor, leading a team of 20-30 operatives in a fast-paced, high-temperature processing environment. You will ensure the team delivers the right product at the right time, while improving tonnes per hour, labour utilisation, quality and overall shift performance. This is a hands-on leadership role, reporting to the Operations Manager, with real scope to progress into an Operations Manager position. Key Responsibilities: · Lead, coach and develop a team of 20-30 production operatives · Deliver daily safety, quality, output and productivity targets · Improve tonnes processed per hour and per shift through effective labour planning and floor management · Ensure the right product is processed to the required quality standard and delivered on time · Monitor KPIs and use performance data to identify and implement improvements · Manage labour costs and maximise output across the production area · Maintain strong health and safety standards, including risk assessments and safe systems of work · Build a strong understanding of plant and equipment to improve efficiency and reduce disruption · Support continuous-improvement activity across the operation Key Requirements: · Previous experience leading teams within a manufacturing, production, plant, processing or operational environment · Experience managing direct labour teams, ideally 20+ employees · Strong understanding of KPIs, productivity improvement and labour utilisation · Comfortable working in a high-risk, fast-paced operational environment · Experience with risk assessments and safe systems of work · Hands-on, communicative and target-led leadership style · Lean, Kaizen and IOSH qualifications or experience would be advantageous Package: · Salary: Up to £40,000 basic · Performance-based bonus · Pension · Holidays: 25 days plus bank holidays · Rotating shift pattern: 6:00am-2:30pm and 2:30pm-11:00pm, changing every 2-3 weeks · Overtime · Clear progression opportunities Ideal Candidate Location: Kendal, Lancaster, Penrith, Carlisle, Windermere, Barrow-in-Furness, Preston or surrounding areas