Shift Manager
McCloskey’s Bakery is built on a family passion that dates back to 1940. Through each generation that followed, we have become an integral part of the north-east community, thanks to our tremendous teams, delicious products, and strong ethos.
The Shift Manager is responsible for leading, managing, and optimizing shift operations to ensure safety, quality, efficiency, and team performance. This role requires strong technical expertise, leadership capabilities, and accountability to drive continuous improvement in a fast-paced production environment.
The Shift Manager will take full ownership of their shift, ensuring smooth operations, resolving issues proactively, and maintaining the highest standards of health & safety, quality, and team leadership. The role involves strategic decision-making, cross-functional collaboration, and a data-driven approach to performance management. The successful candidate will have responsibility for a 24/7 production operation, which includes production and dispatch and store operations. You will provide leadership to a team of over 100 employees, supporting their development, continuous improvement, and success. This role will have responsibility for helping to develop, implement and actively drive site initiatives while maintaining the company vision of consistently producing high quality products.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership & Performance Ownership
- Own all operational aspects of the entire shift, with all areas of the bakery, from facilities to activities within perimeter
- Ensure production schedules are met while adhering to key KPIs such as efficiency, quality, and waste reduction.
- Take full accountability for shift operations, making real-time decisions to resolve issues such as equipment downtime, supply shortages, and process bottlenecks.
- Work proactively to minimize changeovers, maximize yields, and optimize production flow.
Team Management & Leadership
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of operatives, team leads, and key shift personnel to meet daily production targets.
- Conduct pre-shift briefings to communicate goals, updates, and key priorities.
- Ensure appropriate staffing levels, reallocating resources as needed to maintain production efficiency.
- Drive a culture of accountability, providing ongoing coaching and mentoring to team members.
- Manage attendance, performance issues, and disciplinary matters, ensuring adherence to company policies.
Quality & Compliance Leadership
- Ensure all products meet company and customer quality standards, taking immediate action to resolve any deviations.
- Uphold and enforce high hygiene standards across all areas of production.
- Take full responsibility for compliance with food safety regulations (BRC, HACCP, GMP).
- Conduct in-shift quality checks, ensuring processes are followed correctly and escalating any concerns.
Health & Safety Leadership
- Act as the primary health & safety leader on shift, ensuring all employees comply with safety regulations.
- Conduct risk assessments, implement corrective actions, and enforce safe working behaviors.
- Investigate and report all incidents, near misses, and hazards, ensuring corrective actions are implemented.
- Lead safety briefings and training initiatives to continuously improve health & safety standards.
Continuous Improvement & Problem-Solving
- Identify and implement process improvements to increase efficiency, reduce waste, and optimize production workflows.
- Utilize data and KPI tracking to drive operational improvements and enhance overall shift performance.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Supply Chain, Maintenance, Quality) to trial and roll out new initiatives or equipment upgrades.
- Lead continuous improvement projects, fostering a problem-solving mindset across the shift team.
Reporting & Communication
- Prepare and present detailed shift reports, analysing key performance indicators and highlighting successes and areas for improvement.
- Ensure smooth shift handovers, effectively communicating with incoming shift managers and other departments.
- Work closely with Stock Controllers, Maintenance, Quality, and HR to ensure operational continuity.
Key Attributes & Required Skills
Technical Knowledge
- Strong understanding of food production processes, quality control, and operational efficiency.
- Experience in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other process improvement methodologies is desirable.
Leadership & Team Management
- Proven ability to lead and manage a team in a high-pressure production environment.
- Experience in coaching, developing, and performance managing employees.
- Strong ability to collaborate cross-functionally with Quality, Maintenance, and Supply Chain teams.
Accountability & Decision-Making
- Full responsibility for shift performance, ensuring all KPIs are met.
- Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to make real-time operational decisions.
- Ability to analyse performance data and implement actions based on insights.
Qualifications & Experience
Essential:
- Experience in a supervisory or managerial role within a manufacturing or food production environment.
- Strong understanding of health & safety, quality assurance, and operational efficiency.
- Experience leading teams and managing shift operations independently.
- Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Desirable:
- Certification or training in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or operational excellence.
- Experience working with BRC, HACCP, and other food safety standards.
Working pattern: The site is operational 24 hours per day, 365 days a year. This is a 5-day working role. Working hours will typically be 23:00 – 07:30, with some flexibility required.
Please note this is not an exhaustive list and is subject to change.
Pay: €50,000.00-€55,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Bike to work scheme
- Employee discount
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Application question(s):
- Are you available to work night shifts from 23:00 to 07:30 with some flexibility required?
Experience:
- Food industry: 3 years (required)
Licence/Certification:
- Lean Six Sigma Certification (required)
Work authorisation:
Work Location: In person
