Production Team Leader - Finishing

Our well-established manufacturing client is seeking a safety-focused and experienced Team Leader to join their production team and lead their Finishing team.     Job Title: Production Team Leader Department: Finishing Job Type: Full Time; Permanent Hours: Monday - Friday (39-hour week) Salary: Competitive DOE Location: Barnstaple   Production Team Leader Role Overview: Lead and support the finishing team in delivering high-quality patinated and finished components to company standards and bespoke customer requirements. This is a hands-on role, requiring the successful candidate to actively carry out finishing processes while leading the team to ensure consistency, quality, safety, and on-time delivery. You will be working with a range of finishing techniques including blasting, chemical and acid treatments, and manual surface finishing processes to achieve specific visual and aesthetic outcomes. Key Responsibilities of the Production Team Leader: Lead and coordinate the finishing and hammering teams, including task allocation, scheduling, and performance management to meet production targets and on-time delivery (OTD) Support production planning and workflow management to optimise efficiency and throughput Create, manage, and close jobs within the ERP system, ensuring accurate booking, tracking, and completion of work Carry out hands-on finishing processes including blasting, chemical and acid baths, and Scotch-Brite abrasive techniques to achieve required visual finishes Develop and maintain consistent finishing methods, adjusting chemical and acid processes systematically to ensure repeatable, high-quality results Ensure all parts are processed in line with quality standards and customer specifications Work closely with production, quality, and engineering teams to resolve issues and refine finishing processes Maintain strict adherence to Health & Safety procedures, particularly in relation to chemical handling, PPE, and safe working practices Ensure correct handling, storage, and disposal of chemicals and materials in line with environmental and safety regulations Monitor and maintain finishing equipment and work areas, carrying out first-line maintenance and reporting faults where necessary Train, mentor, and support team members to develop skills in finishing techniques and maintain high standards Promote and maintain 5S and continuous improvement practices within the finishing area Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across production processes Act as a role model for company values, quality standards, and professional behaviours Provide flexibility to meet changing production demands and priorities Undertake any other reasonable duties to support the wider business as required Skills / Experience of the Production Team Leader - Finishing:   Team leadership experience in a manufacturing environment Ability to organise workloads and manage time effectively in a production environment Experience using ERP systems for job tracking and production control Proven experience in metal finishing, patination, or surface treatment processes (e.g., brass, bronze, or similar materials) Hands-on experience with blasting, chemical and acid treatments, and manual finishing techniques (e.g., Scotch-Brite abrasion) Strong understanding of achieving consistent visual finishes and aesthetic quality standards Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain consistency across batches Good problem-solving skills and ability to refine processes for improved outcomes Knowledge of Health & Safety regulations, particularly COSHH and safe chemical handling Experience working with and safely handling chemicals and acids Package for the Production Team Leader: Company pension Free onsite parking Annual performance bonus (discretionary) Cycle to Work Scheme Long service awards Free fruit basked + hot & cold drinks on site Branded Uniform provided Death in Service EAP programme Employee Discounts   Cooper Golding is acting as an Employment agency for the purposes of this role