Production Team Leader

Job Title: Team Leader Reports to: Area Manager Location: Chessington, Surrey (KT9) Salary: Up to £40,000 per annum (dependent on experience) Shift Pattern: 4 on, 4 off (Day Shift) Hours: 07:00 - 19:00 About the Role Hawk3 Talent Solutions are working with a well-established and growing food production business to recruit an experienced Team Leader. This is a key position within the production operation, responsible for leading teams to deliver high-quality, safe, and legally compliant products to both retail and foodservice customers. You will play a critical role in executing production plans, managing resources efficiently, and driving team performance while supporting continuous improvement across the operation. Key Responsibilities As a Team Leader, you will oversee the day-to-day running of production teams, with a focus on Safety, People, Quality, Delivery, and Cost (SPQDC): Safety Ensure a safe working environment for all employees and agency staff Take immediate action in response to any accidents or incidents People Lead, develop, and coach a multi-skilled team Drive performance and build capability for future growth Foster a positive, proactive team culture Quality Ensure the production of safe, legal, and high-quality food products Promote a culture of compliance and continuous improvement Reduce non-conformances and drive process enhancements Delivery Deliver against production plans and customer service KPIs Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities Cost Manage labour, yield, and line efficiencies Support cost control initiatives and operational improvements Additional Accountabilities Maintain a strong commitment to food safety and compliance standards Attend and contribute to daily/weekly operational meetings, sharing KPIs and escalating issues Ensure effective shift handovers with clear communication of priorities Work cross-functionally with Technical, Engineering, Hygiene, and Supply Chain teams Ensure production areas are fully operational within the first 15 minutes of shift Oversee all factory activities including intake, production, assembly, and dispatch Promote high standards in GMP, Food Safety, Quality, and Health & Safety Ensure the site remains audit-ready at all times Plan and allocate labour effectively, including agency staff, overtime, and absence management Lead team performance, address underperformance, and implement training and development plans Skills & Experience Required Proven leadership experience (minimum 2 years managing small teams) Experience within an FMCG environment, ideally food production Strong knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills Strong people management skills with the ability to motivate and engage teams Experience working with chilled and/or ambient products (advantageous) Benefits 20 days holiday (including bank holidays), increasing annually up to 25 days Company pension (5% employee / 3% employer contribution) Life assurance (3x annual salary) Employee Assistance Programme Cycle to Work scheme Childcare voucher scheme Staff product discount Free refreshments on site On-site parking Referral programme Sports & Social activities Location & Accessibility The site is based in Chessington (KT9) with good public transport links and local bus routes within walking distance