Production Shift Manager
WarburtonsJobsCloseBy Editorial Insights
Warburtons is seeking an experienced Area Lead for its Eastwood bakery to lead a 24/7 operation, guiding a shift team, equipment and processes to hit safety, quality and KPI targets. The role requires strong people leadership, Lean and continuous improvement know-how, and the ability to resolve equipment issues quickly while maintaining all safety and food safety standards. You’ll work a 12-hour day and night rotating pattern over three weeks, so resilience and clear communication across shifts are essential. To reap the most from your application, tailor your CV to show measurable improvements in safety, uptime, quality and team development, and highlight SAP if you have it, while aligning with Warburtons values including inclusion and sustainability.
Job Title: Area Lead
Function: Food Manufacturing
Location: Eastwood NG16 3SA
Contract: Full Time, Permanent
Shift Pattern: 12-hour Days & Nights, rotating over 3 weeks.
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About the Area Lead Role
Are you an experienced people manager from a fast-paced manufacturing environment, ready to take the next step in your leadership career?
We’re looking for a proactive Area Lead to join our Eastwood Bakery, where you’ll lead your team, equipment and processes to deliver safe, high-quality performance on shift.
At Warburtons, we’re looking for Line Managers who inspire their teams, develop capability, and continuously improve the way we work.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and develop your team to deliver against safety, quality, plant, and service target
- Drive a high-performance culture, ensuring accountability and ownership across your area
- Champion continuous improvement, using Lean and CI methodologies
- Deliver operational excellence, consistently achieving or exceeding KPIs
- Ensure compliance with all safety, food safety, and equipment standards
- Identify and resolve issues quickly, minimising downtime and loss
What We're Looking For
- Experience in a manufacturing or production environment
- Strong people leadership and coaching skills
- Knowledge of Lean Principles and Continuous Improvement
- Experience in monitoring equipment performance and driving quick resolution
- Understanding of production planning and site operations
- SAP knowledge (desirable)
About Eastwood Bakery
Our Eastwood site operates 24/7, 363 days a year, producing fresh bakery products for customers across the Country.
- Over 300 colleagues on site
- Producing ~30,000 rolls and 24,000 crumpets per hour
- A fast-paced, highly automated manufacturing environment
Why Join Warburtons?
- Profit share bonus
- Option to buy additional annual leave
- 7% pension contribution
- Life assurance
- Discounts via “Extra Dough” platform
- Ongoing personal development
- Free products on site (daily essentials covered!)
- Health & wellbeing support, including physio and 24/7 helpline
Our Culture
We’re proud to be a family business since 1876 and are committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.
We’re also working towards becoming a net zero business by 2050, reducing our environmental impact while supporting our communities.
We respect and value difference. We look to create an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. Companies that are diverse in age, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity, or any other aspect which makes them unique, are proven to be better companies. More importantly, creating an environment where everyone, from any background, can do their best work, is the right thing to do.