Manufacturing Team Leader

Manufacturing Team Leader (Late Shift)
Location: Derby
Hours: Permanent, 36.5 hours per week
Late Shift:
* Monday: 3:00pm - 1:00am
* Tuesday to Thursday: 3:00pm - 12:30am
Salary: Competitive
We are recruiting for a Manufacturing Team Leader to join a growing manufacturing business in Derby. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced manufacturing professional with strong leadership skills to take responsibility for the late shift, ensuring production, quality, safety and delivery targets are achieved while supporting and developing the manufacturing team.
Key Responsibilities of a Manufacturing Team Leader:
* Lead and supervise the late shift manufacturing team to achieve production, quality, safety and delivery targets.
* Support the Manufacturing Manager in the day-to-day running of the department.
* Conduct regular shop floor audits and departmental walkarounds.
* Promote a strong health and safety culture through hazard spotting, job safety observations and continuous improvement activities.
* Identify production constraints and lead problem-solving initiatives to improve efficiency and workflow.
* Act as the main point of escalation for operational issues during the late shift.
* Manage shift handovers to ensure clear communication between shifts.
* Take responsibility for site security, including locking up at the end of each shift.
* Read and interpret engineering drawings and job cards to support manufacturing operations.
* Oversee sheet metal and press brake operations, ensuring work is completed efficiently and to specification.
* Carry out routine machine maintenance and ensure tooling is maintained, stored and replenished appropriately.
* Monitor productivity, throughput and planned times to maximise operational performance.
* Allocate work in line with production priorities and scheduling requirements.
* Work closely with Manufacturing Engineering and Technical teams to resolve quality issues and implement corrective actions.
* Support the training and development of team members in line with agreed training plans.
* Conduct return-to-work interviews, absence reviews and holiday planning for the late shift.
* Work with HR to ensure company policies are followed and a positive working environment is maintained.
* Drive continuous improvement activities using structured problem-solving techniques.
Key Skills of a Manufacturing Team Leader:
* Previous experience working within an aerospace manufacturing environment.
* At least three years' experience in a similar supervisory or team leader position.
* Strong understanding of sheet metal manufacturing and press brake operations.
* Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings.
* Experience of leading teams within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
* Strong organisational, communication and problem-solving skills.
* Good understanding of health and safety within manufacturing.
* Committed to continuous improvement and operational excellence.
* A positive leader who demonstrates integrity, respect, safety and excellence.
First Base Employment is acting as a recruitment agency in relation to this vacancy. We pride ourselves on delivering excellent service to both clients and candidates across the Commercial, Industrial and Engineering sectors