Food Manufacturing Manager

Address: Mamhilad, Pontypool, Wales, GB, NP4 0JJ

Location: Ultrapharm Ltd, Pontypool Shift: 4 on 4 off, 6am-6pm Salary: Competitive

We are looking for an experienced Manufacturing Shift Lead (MSL) to join our team at Ultrapharm bakery in Pontypool, part of the Finsbury Food Group, to support our safe, high-quality, and efficient food production operation.

Ultrapharm is a dedicated gluten-free bakery, specialising exclusively in gluten-free products since 1993. Our craft-led approach creates premium products with the flavour and texture of traditional bakery goods, supplying major UK retailers including Marks & Spencer and Waitrose.

The Manufacturing Shift Lead is a key frontline leadership role, responsible for developing and motivating a high-performing team to deliver our Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery and People expectations. The Manufacturing Shift Lead will be someone who leads from the front, builds positive relationships and creates a team environment where people are supported to perform at their best.

As Manufacturing Shift Lead you will play an important role in driving manufacturing performance, developing colleagues and supporting continuous improvement across the site. This is a great opportunity for an experienced manufacturing professional who enjoys working with people, solving problems and making a genuine difference to how a team performs.

This is what you’ll actually do! As a Manufacturing Shift Lead, you will lead and develop your team to deliver Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery and People targets. You’ll coach and motivate colleagues, oversee onboarding and development, manage performance and attendance, and support succession planning.

You’ll manage labour effectively, respond to changing production requirements and work with the team to deliver safe, efficient production. You’ll drive continuous improvement through Lean and structured problem-solving, lead performance meetings and ensure actions are followed through.

Communication is key in this role. You will keep your team informed and engaged through regular huddles, briefs and shift handovers, ensuring everyone is aligned and the production plan is delivered effectively. You will work closely with leaders across the site to resolve issues, drive performance and maintain operational excellence. You will also champion Health & Safety, Food Safety and Quality standards, taking ownership for compliance and having the authority to stop production whenever standards, safety or product quality are at risk.

You will also have the opportunity to deputise for the Manufacturing Lead, supporting your career development and progression, as well as sharing best practice with other Finsbury Foods bakeries.

Ideally this is you!

• Previous leadership experience within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

• Experience of leading, coaching and developing teams to deliver performance targets.

• Experience of continuous improvement and Lean manufacturing.

• Strong problem-solving skills and experience using root cause analysis methodologies.

• Good understanding of Health & Safety and Food Safety requirements.

• IOSH Managing Safely and Level 3 Food Safety, or willingness to achieve these qualifications.

• Willingness to complete the FDQ Level 3 Diploma for Proficiency in Food

• Industry Technical Management, which is a mandatory qualification for this role. The company will provide support to help you achieve this.

• Knowledge of BRC requirements and customer codes of practice.

• Experience working with targets, deadlines and operational KPIs.

• Confident using IT systems and Microsoft Office, with training provided on site-specific systems.

• Strong organisational and analytical skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships across a diverse workforce.

• A genuine interest in coaching, mentoring and developing people.

• A proactive approach to identifying opportunities to improve processes and ways of working.

• Able to work independently, use your own initiative and contribute effectively as part of a wider leadership team.

What’s in it for you?

• Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave to allow quality time with your new arrival!

• Enhanced Pension Scheme for our employees.

• Death in Service Benefit.

• Free Employee Assistance Programme (open to colleagues and their families).

• Retail discounts accessible via our Benefits Hub platform!

• Company shop available at certain sites (heavily discounted, yummy products!).

• Refer a Friend Scheme (up to £300 per referral – T&Cs dependent).

• Employee Recognition Awards.

• Extensive Learning & Development opportunities, including opportunities for sponsored professional memberships and our own in-house development courses.

• Opportunities to deputise for the Manufacturing Lead and develop your leadership experience.

• Opportunities to visit other Finsbury Foods bakeries and share best practice.

• An opportunity to be part of a fantastic, growing organisation. Head over to our LinkedIn page to find out more