Shift Manager (AM Shift 6am-2pm)

The Shift Manager is responsible for leading all production activities within their assigned shift, ensuring safe, efficient and high-quality manufacturing output that meets business objectives and customer requirements, while also providing support across wider site operations when required.

This role exists to ensure world-class manufacturing standards are consistently achieved through strong operational leadership, structured team management and a high-level focus on continuous improvement, capability development and performance excellence.

The Shift Manager is accountable for driving safety, quality, cost and productivity, full training and development of all staff and ensuring robust operational control of the production hall, including the safe shutdown of production lines and secure closure of the Group55 site at the end of each shift.

About Group55:

We are a manufacturer of pet care, personal care and household products that helps brands and entrepreneurs achieve great things by creating outstanding products and offering unparalleled services. We use our experience as brand owners of the market-leading pet care brand, Animology, to offer our customers an exceptional full-service development, manufacturing, and fulfilment solution, and we do it with passion and enthusiasm.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Duties include but are not restricted to those listed below, the job holder may be asked to carry out other additional tasks within their capability and knowledge.

• Delivery of shift production targets (volume, quality, efficiency and cost).
• Safe and compliant operation of production hall activities.
• Safe start-up of production lines and correct end-of-shift handover.
• Secure opening and integrity of the Group55 site at the start of each shift.
• Full training, competency development and capability building of all staff.
• Continuous improvement delivery and sustainability of gains.
• Workforce safety, performance, engagement and development.
• Effective cross-functional coordination across production operations.
• Compliance with all regulatory, customer and internal standards.
• Managing Engineering outside of normal hours.
• Support customer production tours and represent operations in a professional and knowledgeable manner.

Shift Leadership & Production Delivery

• Lead all production hall operations during the shift, ensuring output targets, production schedules, and customer requirements are achieved.
• Take full ownership of shift performance including KPI delivery: Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), plan attainment, waste, downtime and quality performance.
• Ensure effective shift handovers with clear communication of performance, issues, risks and priorities.
• Coordinate all production hall activities to ensure smooth flow of materials, personnel and production processes.

People Leadership, Training & Development

• Lead, manage and develop Line Leaders and Production Operatives to achieve high performance, engagement and accountability.
• Take full ownership of the training, development and competency framework for all shift team members.
• Ensure structured training plans are in place, delivered and regularly reviewed for all employees.
• Ensure all staff are fully trained, signed off as competent and reassessed periodically.
• Provide ongoing coaching, mentoring and on-the-job development to build capability and independence within the team.
• Manage absenteeism and conduct performance reviews, feedback sessions and personal development planning (formal and informal).
• Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork and alignment with G55 “DNA” behaviours across the shift.

Operational Control, Start-Up & Site Security

• Ensure, in conjunction with the engineering team, the safe, controlled, and standardised powering up of all production lines at the start of each shift, in line with SOPs, safety requirements and engineering standards.
• Ensure all machinery is in a safe and ready condition, including cleaning, isolation where required, material reconciliation and readiness for start-up.
• Verify completion of start-of-shift checks, production records and relevant documentation.
• Take full responsibility for the opening of the Group55 site at the start of each shift, including:
  • Ensuring production areas are safe, open and compliant.
  • Confirming all access points, doors and restricted areas are properly opened.
  • Ensuring alarm systems and site security procedures are correctly followed.
  • Coordinating any required escalation where site security or safety concerns exist.
  • Act as the accountable shift lead for the operational readiness, safety and security of the site at the start of each shift

Continuous Improvement & Lean Manufacturing

• Champion continuous improvement (CI) activity across the production hall.
• Lead the deployment of Lean manufacturing tools including 5s, Kaizen, Standard Work, SMED and visual management.
• Drive sustained reduction in waste, downtime and operational inefficiencies.
• Lead root cause analysis (RCA) and ensure effective corrective and preventative actions are implemented and sustained.
• Encourage and support operator-led improvement ideas and structured problem-solving culture.

Health, Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with Health & Safety legislation, company policies and site procedures.
• Promote and maintain a strong safety culture including risk assessments, near misses and safety inspections.
• Ensure adherence to GMP standards and maintain a clean, controlled production environment at all times.
• Support compliance with ISO22716, ISO9001, COSMOS and B Corp standards.
• Ensure all quality issues are promptly escalated, investigated and resolved in conjunction with the Quality team.

Operational Problem Solving & Escalation

• Act as the first point of escalation for production issues, breakdowns and operational disruptions.
• Work closely with Engineering to minimise downtime and ensure rapid resolution of faults.
• Liaise with Planning to ensure efficient scheduling and response to changing priorities.
• Coordinate with Warehouse and Supply Chain teams to ensure material availability and production continuity.
• Apply structured problem-solving techniques such as 5 Whys, RCA (Root Cause Analysis) and PDCA (Plan, Do, Check & Act) to prevent recurrence of issues.

Performance Management & Reporting

• Monitor, analyse and report shift KPIs including productivity, quality, waste, downtime, Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and safety performance.
• Ensure accurate production reporting and data integrity across systems.
• Use performance data to drive improvement actions and prioritisation during shift.
• Participate in daily production meetings and operational reviews, providing clear updates on performance, risks and improvement actions.

Personal Attributes/Skills:

• Organisational Skills: Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects efficiently.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a proven track record of building positive relationships.
• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical skills with the ability to develop effective solutions.
• Attention to Detail: High level of accuracy and meticulousness in all tasks.
• Initiative and Teamwork: Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team setting.

Rewards & Benefits:

We’re dedicated to ensuring Group55 is a great place to work, we love what we do and we want to work with great people who love what they do too. We have a happy and inclusive workplace that offers support and development opportunities for our people to continue to achieve their best.

This role will be office-based in Chorley, Lancashire. Group55 offer a company profit share bonus after a qualifying period.

Salary: Competitive based on experience.