About the role
Job Description – Production Supervisor
Location: Gravesend, Kent
Job Type: Permanent
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced and hands-on Production Supervisor to join a busy food production operation in Gravesend.
The successful candidate will be responsible for supervising day-to-day production activities, leading production teams and ensuring that production targets, quality standards, food safety requirements and operational KPIs are consistently achieved.
The ideal candidate will have previous supervisory or team-lead experience within food production, fresh produce, fresh-cut fruit or a similar fast-paced manufacturing environment.
This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated and organised individual who can lead from the front, manage people effectively and maintain high standards across production.
Key Responsibilities
Lead, supervise and support production teams throughout the shift.
Ensure daily production plans, orders and targets are completed safely, efficiently and on time.
Allocate staff across production lines according to workload, skills and operational requirements.
Monitor productivity, labour utilisation, line performance, waste and downtime.
Ensure production lines are set up correctly and ready to meet scheduled production requirements.
Monitor the production of fresh-cut fruit, ensuring products are prepared, packed and handled according to required specifications.
Work closely with the QA/QC team to maintain product quality and food safety standards.
Ensure all products meet company, customer and legal requirements.
Monitor staff performance, attendance, timekeeping and workplace standards.
Identify production issues, take appropriate corrective action and escalate significant concerns to Management.
Minimise product waste and support improvements in production efficiency.
Ensure accurate completion of production paperwork, records and relevant system information.
Maintain high standards of food safety, hygiene, GMP and housekeeping throughout production areas.
Ensure HACCP, allergen, health & safety and site procedures are followed at all times.
Conduct shift briefings and communicate production priorities, targets and operational changes to the team.
Train, coach and support Team Leaders and Production Operatives to improve performance and capability.
Work closely with Planning, QA/Technical, Warehouse, Hygiene and Management to ensure smooth production operations.
Support investigations into production issues, quality concerns, customer complaints and non-conformances where required.
Promote a positive working environment with a strong focus on safety, quality, productivity and continuous improvement.
Candidate Requirements
Previous experience within food production, manufacturing or a similar fast-paced production environment.
Previous experience as a Production Supervisor, Shift Supervisor, Team Leader or similar operational leadership role.
Experience within fresh produce or fresh-cut fruit is highly desirable.
Strong people-management and team-leadership skills.
Good understanding of production planning, productivity, labour management and operational KPIs.
Good knowledge of food safety, hygiene, HACCP and health & safety procedures.
Food Hygiene/Food Safety certification is essential or highly desirable.
Strong communication and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work under pressure and respond effectively to changing production requirements.
Good organisational skills with the ability to prioritise workload and manage multiple production lines or teams.
A proactive, practical and hands-on approach to production management.
What We Offer
Competitive salary, depending on experience.
Permanent opportunity within an established food production environment.
Opportunity for career development and progression within the business.
How to Apply
Please apply with your current CV, clearly highlighting your production, food manufacturing and supervisory experience.
When applying, please also confirm:
Your current location
Your availability / notice period
Your salary expectations
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.
What we will need from you
- Proof of your right to work in the UK — passport, share code or equivalent.
- Proof of address and your National Insurance number.
- Two references we can take up, where the role calls for them.
Working with Cando Personnel
We are a GLAA-licensed supplier. Every worker is screened before their first shift, paid weekly, and covered by our own transport where a site is hard to reach. You are told the site, the shift and the rate before you accept anything.