Production Supervisor
21 days ago
Lakenham
Responsible for: Senior Operative Factory Operatives AND Volunteers and individuals on work placements HOURS Mon - Thu - 08:00 - 16:30 Fri - 08:00 - 13:00 1. Principal Purpose of the Role The Production Supervisor will lead a small production team, ensuring the smooth and effective operation of the factory in the manufacture of various pet products. The role combines commercial production responsibility with the provision of a safe, supportive, and inclusive working environment for people with disabilities, including paid staff, volunteers, and individuals on work placements. Production must meet agreed commercial quality standards and delivery timescales, while taking into account the individual skills, abilities, and support needs of the workforce. The role includes responsibility for ensuring individuals on work placements are appropriately assessed, monitored, supported, and allocated suitable tasks, with their safety and wellbeing maintained at all times. The post holder will act with integrity and will value, respect, and actively promote equality, diversity, dignity, and inclusion. 3. Key Responsibilities Health & Safety Take overall responsibility for health and safety supervision within a complex factory environment that includes staff and volunteers with disabilities, heavy-duty machinery, and individuals with varying levels of experience Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, ISO9001, HACCP systems, and Independence Matters policies Provide appropriate supervision to staff and volunteers, assessing individuals’ capability and suitability for specific tasks Ensure safe systems of work are in place, machinery pre-start checks are completed, and required documentation is maintained and reviewed Ensure all staff and volunteers receive appropriate induction, training, refresher training, and contamination control awareness Assess individuals’ capacity, behaviour, and attitude to ensure safe placement within the factory Monitor and carry out machinery maintenance, ensure documentation is completed, and report issues to the Factory Manager Ensure awareness and compliance with Fire Safety, First Aid, and individual responsibilities Take immediate action and report any health and safety concerns, unsafe practices, or machinery misuse Organise and manage factory clean-downs to maintain a safe working environment Provide appropriate First Aid provision across the workforce Service Performance (Commercial and In-House) Set daily and weekly production schedules to meet customer demand, delivery timescales, and stock requirements Adjust production plans based on machinery capacity, raw materials availability, clean-down requirements, and labour resources Plan production schedules for holiday periods to support forward planning Ensure appropriate placement and support of individuals on work placements based on training needs, disabilities, and capabilities Ensure staff provide high-quality support, instruction, and supervision to volunteers Monitor and order raw materials, tools, and PPE to ensure continuity of production Directly undertake high-level production tasks (e.g. forklift operation, band saw use, baling) where required Diagnose and resolve machinery breakdowns to minimise production disruption Implement changes to procedures and health and safety systems, ensuring clear communication to staff and management Liaise with external engineers and develop internal knowledge of machinery where safe and appropriate Motivate individuals, build effective teams, and manage varying abilities, restrictions, and attitudes, including mandatory placements Performance Management Encourage and support staff and individuals on work placements to achieve and improve productivity relative to their abilities Deliver inductions, training, and refresher training aligned to work plans and development needs Assess learning needs and ensure individuals are appropriately prepared before working on the factory floor Maintain accurate records of material usage, wastage, and production output Manage day-to-day personnel issues, including conflict resolution where required Organise and lead regular team talks covering production, quality, machinery, and performance Implement lean manufacturing techniques to reduce waste, downtime, and inefficiencies Accurately record daily production outputs and staff performance into KPI systems Monitor KPI data to ensure accurate timings, processes, and performance measurement Ensure all staff meet required factory operative standards and report concerns to management Attend trade shows when required to promote the business within the pet sector Make operational decisions during the absence of the Factory Manager (within agreed authority limits) Assess factory capacity and resources in consultation with the Factory Manager when considering new products, work, or customers Quality Assurance Carry out daily quality checks and ensure completion of all required documentation Conduct final quality checks prior to despatch Ensure staff understand and comply with quality standards, particularly when supporting volunteers Resolve quality issues arising from work placements, machinery breakdowns, or raw material non-compliance Work to meet or exceed business performance targets Ensure full traceability of raw materials through to finished products Assess new materials and suppliers in collaboration with the Factory Manager Carry out quarterly stock takes of raw materials, finished goods, and work in progress, ensuring accuracy of records Equal Opportunities Ensure all activities comply with NCC Equal Opportunities policies and procedures Ensure staff and individuals on work placements understand their responsibilities Contribute to recruitment processes using values-based recruitment approaches General Duties Make operational decisions when required to ensure business continuity, including during management absence, where expenditure does not exceed £1,000 4. Special Conditions The post is subject to an appropriate level of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. You must hold an FLT licence PERSON SPECIFICATION Essential Criteria GCSEs (or equivalent) in Maths and English Minimum of two years’ experience in a first-line supervisory role Proven experience within a small commercial production or manufacturing environment Machinery maintenance and/or engineering experience Competent IT skills Experience working to ISO9001 quality control systems Strong self-management and motivation skills Ability to prioritise workload and manage interruptions Ability to influence, motivate, and develop others Ability to work to deadlines Physically fit and able to move heavy materials and finished goods Flexible and willing to engage in all aspects of factory floor operations Ability to complete and pass Counterbalance Forklift Truck training Ability to complete and pass First Aid at Work training and provide first aid cover Desirable Criteria Current First Aid qualification Fire Marshal qualification Production line design experience Experience working with people with disabilities Stock control experience Lean manufacturing and/or Six Sigma experience Band saw operation experience