Production Shift Leader
Location: Buckingham
Start Dates: January 2027
Shifts: Monday to Friday 06:00 – 14:00
Salary: Up to £50,000 per annum
Join the Magic
At Puratos, we don't just manufacture ingredients; we help create bakery, patisserie and chocolate products enjoyed around the world every day.
Our Buckingham site manufactures high-quality food ingredients and solutions that help our customers create products consumers know and love. From production through to dispatch, every team plays a vital role in ensuring our products are safe, meet the highest quality standards and reach customers on time. Through strong teamwork, clear communication and a shared commitment to excellence, we deliver products we're proud of and build lasting trust with our customers.
We're looking for an ambitious and capable Production Shift Manager to lead operations across our Buckingham manufacturing site. Reporting to the Production Manager, you'll lead our Wet and Dry production plants through two direct reports, our Production Team Leaders, ensuring outstanding performance across safety, quality, service, cost and people.
This role offers a strong blend of people leadership, operational challenge and continuous improvement. You'll play a key role in developing teams, driving performance and maintaining the high standards that underpin our success, while helping shape the future growth of the site.
If you enjoy balancing the challenge of delivering results with the opportunity to develop people, improve processes and make a visible impact on a manufacturing operation, this could be the ideal next step in your career.
What You'll Be Doing
Lead a High-Performing Operation
- Deliver safe, efficient and compliant production across our Wet and Dry manufacturing plants.
- Ensure production plans are achieved while maintaining exceptional standards of quality, service and efficiency.
- Monitor operational performance, analyse trends and take decisive action to achieve KPIs.
- Manage labour utilisation, shift resources and operational priorities to maximise performance.
Develop People and Build Capability
- Provide direct leadership, coaching and support to two Production Team Leaders.
- Create a culture of accountability, engagement and continuous development.
- Build capability across the wider production team through coaching, mentoring and performance management.
- Support succession planning and strengthen leadership capability for the future.
Champion Safety and Quality
- Drive a proactive health and safety culture where standards are consistently maintained and improved.
- Ensure compliance with GMP, HACCP, food safety and quality requirements.
- Conduct routine audits and ensure the site remains inspection and audit ready.
- Lead investigations into operational issues and support the implementation of corrective and preventative actions.
Improve the Way We Work
- Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce waste and enhance performance.
- Use operational data and insight to support decision-making and continuous improvement.
- Work collaboratively with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain and other functions to deliver sustainable improvements.
- Support new product introductions, customer visits and external audits.
Drive Operational Excellence
- Maintain accurate production records and ensure compliance with traceability requirements.
- Support and maintain SAP and other production management systems.
- Deputise for the Production Manager when required.
- Provide cover for the alternate Shift Manager during periods of absence.
Why Join Puratos?
We're looking for a leader who combines strong operational discipline with excellent people management skills. Whether you're motivated by developing people, improving processes or delivering results, this role offers the opportunity to make a real impact.
You'll join a successful global business with the culture of a family company, where people are trusted to make decisions, supported to grow and encouraged to drive continuous improvement. We invest in our people, our technology and our future.
At Puratos, we pride ourselves on creating a caring, respectful and inclusive workplace where different perspectives help us innovate and succeed. If you're passionate about leading teams, raising standards and delivering operational excellence, you'll find a rewarding career here.
What you can expect from Puratos
We are a warm family company with a historical growth track record and a clear long-term vision for the future. We promote a caring, trustful and respecting work environment by putting people first.
We at Puratos cultivate an inclusive global workplace, that fully embraces diversity and equal opportunities for all. We strive to reflect the richness of our customers, communities and society, accelerating our ability to innovate and deliver on our commitments.
The benefits with this role include.
💰 Competitive Salary – Reviewed annually to ensure we stay ahead of the market.
🎯 Annual Bonus Scheme – 5% standard, with stretch potential up to 10%.
💼 Generous Pension Plan – Up to 7.5% employer contributions to support your future.
🏥 Private Medical Insurance – BUPA single cover fully paid, with options to add family members.
🌴 Up to 5 Weeks Annual Leave – Plus the flexibility to buy or sell additional days.
🤒 Enhanced Company Sick Pay – Because your health matters.
📚 Learning & Development – Structured programs with a target of 5 learning days per year.
💖 Wellbeing Matters – Access to our ‘Calling for Caring’ wellbeing initiatives.
🛡️ Life Assurance – 2x your salary plus a 20% spouse pension.
🧾 Income Protection – Financial support when you need it most.
🏅 Loyal Service Awards – Celebrating your milestones with us.
🧠 Employee Assistance Program – Confidential support for life’s challenges.
👫 Refer a Friend Scheme – Earn £500 for successful referrals.
🛍️ High Street Discounts – Save with Perkbox perks.
🌟 Monthly ‘Magic Star’ Awards – Win £50 in vouchers for going above and beyond.
🚴 Cycle to Work Scheme – Save money and stay healthy
Ready to Make a Difference?
If you’re excited about helping others grow and want to be part of something magical, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now and help us shape the future at Puratos.