Shift Manager | THG Manufacturing Tywyn at THG in UK, Tywyn

Shift Manager - Brighter Foods

Location: Brighter Foods Ltd, Pendre Industrial Estate, Tywyn LL36 9LW

Shift Pattern - 4 on 4 off days / 6am-6pm

Reporting to: Site Lead

About Brighter Foods

Brighter Foods operates a growing food manufacturing facility employing approximately 180 colleagues across production and support functions. The site currently operates three production lines, with one line running continuously and two additional lines operating based on customer demand and production requirements. As part of our continued growth strategy, we are investing in the introduction of a fourth production line, creating exciting opportunities for operational improvement, increased capacity and leadership development. Supported by the strength and investment capability of THG, the business continues to invest in its people, processes and manufacturing infrastructure. Significant capital investment have been made to support growth, improve operational efficiency and enhance manufacturing performance, giving the successful candidate the opportunity to play a key role in shaping the future of the site.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Manufacturing Shift Manager to lead a high-performing production operation at our food manufacturing site in Tywyn, Gwynedd. Reporting directly to the Site Lead, you will be responsible for leading Production Supervisors and operational teams, delivering exceptional standards of Safety, Quality, Service, Cost and People performance across a fast-paced manufacturing environment. As a key member of the site's leadership team, you will play a critical role in driving operational excellence, developing future leaders, improving manufacturing performance and supporting the delivery of strategic business objectives. This is an opportunity for an experienced manufacturing leader to take ownership of a significant operational area, influence site-wide performance and contribute to the continued success of a growing food manufacturing business.

Why be a Shift Manager at THG Manufacturing?

• Significant leadership responsibility within a fast-paced FMCG manufacturing operation
• Direct influence on operational and site performance
• Opportunity to lead and develop Production Supervisors and future leaders
• Strong focus on continuous improvement and operational excellence
• Exposure to senior site leadership and strategic decision-making
• Opportunity for progression into wider manufacturing and operational leadership roles
• Stable and growing food manufacturing business
• Located on the stunning North Wales coastline, offering an exceptional quality of life

Key Responsibilities

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Lead and promote a positive Health & Safety culture through visible leadership and high behavioural standards.
• Ensure compliance with Health & Safety, Food Safety, Quality, Environmental and regulatory requirements.
• Own safety performance across the shift, ensuring incidents, near misses and hazards are investigated and addressed effectively.
• Maintain high standards of housekeeping, GMP, hygiene and compliance throughout the operation.
• Drive accountability and engagement for safety across Production Supervisors and operational teams.

Leadership & People Management

• Lead, coach and develop Production Supervisors and operational teams to achieve high levels of performance and engagement.
• Build a culture of accountability, ownership and continuous improvement.
• Manage employee relations matters including performance, attendance, conduct and capability.
• Conduct regular performance and development reviews with direct reports.
• Support succession planning, recruitment and workforce planning activities.
• Champion company values and leadership behaviours across all shift teams.

Operational Delivery

• Own the safe and efficient execution of daily, weekly and monthly production plans.
• Optimise labour, equipment and resources to achieve operational targets.
• Lead daily operational reviews, shift handovers and performance discussions.
• Manage operational risks and implement corrective actions to minimise disruption.
• Work closely with Production, Engineering, Planning, Technical and Warehouse functions to deliver service and customer requirements.

Quality & Food Safety

• Act as the operational lead for food safety and quality performance during shift.
• Drive a Right First Time culture throughout manufacturing operations.
• Ensure compliance with HACCP, GMP, customer and site quality standards.
• Lead investigations into quality incidents and ensure robust corrective actions are implemented.
• Support internal, customer and third-party audits while maintaining full traceability and documentation standards.

Cost & Performance Management

• Manage shift performance against labour, waste, efficiency and productivity targets.
• Monitor and improve OEE, yield, labour productivity and manufacturing performance.
• Identify and deliver opportunities to reduce losses and improve operational efficiency.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of operational performance.

Continuous Improvement

• Lead continuous improvement activities using Lean Manufacturing principles.
• Drive root cause analysis and sustainable problem-solving across operational teams.
• Sponsor and support improvement projects led by supervisors and team members.
• Promote a culture where employees actively contribute ideas and improvements.
• Ensure improvement initiatives deliver measurable business benefits.

Communication & Stakeholder Management

• Ensure effective communication of business priorities, operational performance and site objectives.
• Build strong relationships with Engineering, Technical, Planning, HR and Supply Chain teams.
• Provide clear escalation, reporting and resolution of operational issues.
• Represent operations within site leadership forums when required.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

Essential

• Proven experience as a Shift Manager, Production Manager, Operations Manager or equivalent leadership role within FMCG, food manufacturing, beverage manufacturing or another high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Experience leading Supervisors, Team Leaders and operational teams.
• Demonstrated success delivering operational performance against safety, quality, service and cost targets.
• Experience managing employee relations, performance management and team development.
• Experience leading continuous improvement and operational excellence initiatives.
• Strong understanding of Health & Safety, Food Safety, HACCP and GMP requirements.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership and coaching capability.
• Ability to lead through others and develop future leaders.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills.
• Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis capability.
• Commercial awareness and cost management experience.
• Effective planning, organisation and prioritisation skills.
• Strong stakeholder management and cross-functional working ability.
• Resilient, adaptable and comfortable operating within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Desirable Qualifications

• Food Safety Level 3 or above.
• HACCP certification.
• IOSH Managing Safely or NEBOSH qualification.
• Lean Manufacturing or Continuous Improvement qualification.
• ILM Level 3 or Level 5 Leadership & Management.
• Experience using OEE and manufacturing performance systems.