Team Manager - #196167

Job Title    Team Manager Production (Cover)

Location    Ashford, TN24 0LU

Salary       £42,700 to £47,000 p.a. relevant to experience

Shifts        Monday - Friday day hours & holiday and sickness cover across 3 shifts

Here at Premier Foods, we are Leading the Way within the food manufacturing industry, home to some of the UK’s most iconic brands including Bisto, Paxo and Batchelors. We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Team Manager to lead a multidisciplinary operations team at our Ashford site. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key leadership role, driving performance across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, Performance, and Morale (SQDCPM).

You will be responsible for delivering operational excellence in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and high engagement. Where people and performance matter.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive a strong safety, quality, and food safety culture
• Lead team to hit production, quality, and waste targets
• Manage changeovers, shift handovers, and issue escalation
• Own shift performance results and KPI delivery
• Run effective in-shift performance control
• Deliver clear daily priorities and actions
• Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities
• Ensure compliance, standards, and system accuracy
• Coach, develop, and manage team performance
• Build engaged, high-performing teams
• Plan resources effectively to meet demand
• Collaborate cross-functionally to drive site performance
  
  
  

About You

We are looking for a proactive leader who can inspire high performance and drive results.

You will have:

• Proven people leadership experience within a manufacturing or production environment
• Strong knowledge of food safety standards (Food Safety Level 3, HACCP Level 3; BRCGS/ISO 22000 desirable)
• Experience and evidence of applying continuous improvement tools and leading change initiatives
• Evidenced excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Strong analytical capability with an understanding of performance metrics and financial drivers
• IT proficiency, with awareness of systems such as SAP
• A commitment to ongoing professional development (relevant technical qualifications advantageous)
  
  
  

What Success Looks Like

• Strong safety, quality, and compliance performance with risks proactively managed
• Consistent delivery against production targets and operational KPIs
• Effective use of SIC and structured problem-solving to drive performance improvements
• Tangible reductions in waste and inefficiency
• Engaged, capable, and well-supported teams delivering sustained results
  
  
  

Why Join Us?

• Competitive salary and shift allowances
• Opportunity to lead and shape operational performance
• A culture focused on safety, collaboration, and continuous improvement
• Career development within a fast-paced manufacturing environment
  
  
  

Benefits and Perks

• 25 day’s annual leave and 8 bank holidays
• Contributory pension up to 7.5%, plus life assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and occupational health support
• Sharesave scheme
• Company shop
• Online retail discounts
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Free on‑site parking and strong transport links 
  
  
  

At Premier foods we believe in inclusion, authenticity and individuality. We aim to ensure all existing and future colleagues are given equitable opportunities and are respected, valued and encouraged to bring their true authentic selves to work no matter who they are, what they look like, who they love or what they believe in. Our culture is one where everyone is welcome. 

We're proud to be a Disability Smart employer and are committed to supporting disability inclusion throughout our recruitment process. If you experience any access issues or require reasonable adjustments at any stage, please let us know so we can ensure you have the support you need.  

The Next Step...

Click apply via our website and upload your CV & covering statement