Operations Team Leader

SY10, Trefonen, Shropshire

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Shift based role | 3 on 3 off | Days and nights

Ready to lead a team of up to 20 colleagues and take ownership of performance, safety and continuous improvement within one of Europe's leading dairy manufacturers?

This role offers the opportunity to lead a dedicated production team within one of Arla's cheese packaging facilities. You'll play a key role in driving performance, safety and continuous improvement, while helping your team achieve their full potential.

Read more about our part of the business here: Inside Arla | Arla

How you will make an impact

As a Shift Manager, you will join our Operations team at Arla Foods Oswestry and report into the Core Team Leader. You will be responsible for leading a team of 10-20 colleagues, ensuring the safe, efficient and high-quality delivery of production plans while driving performance, engagement and continuous improvement across your area. You will work closely with cross-functional teams to maintain operational excellence and support the site business plan.

Lead, coach and support production colleagues to help them achieve individual and team objectives.
Drive safety, quality and operational performance while ensuring compliance with GMP, food safety, health and safety and environmental standards.
Manage resources effectively, including direct reports, investigations and performance management, to support cost-efficient production.
Work closely with the M&E Team Leader and other stakeholders to resolve issues quickly and maintain alignment on performance.
Lead continuous improvement activity, daily direction setting meetings, walking tours, process confirmation and implementation of departmental objectives.

What will make you successful

We are looking for an experienced people leader who enjoys creating high-performing teams and maintaining standards within a manufacturing environment. You will bring strong communication and problem-solving skills alongside a genuine passion for developing others and delivering results.

Experience managing teams within a manufacturing, FMCG or production environment.
A strong understanding of operational performance, safety and quality standards.
Experience working in a fast-paced environment with responsibility for people and performance management.
Knowledge of Lean principles would be beneficial, with Six Sigma knowledge considered advantageous.

The three qualities that will help you thrive in this role are:

Strong leadership and people development capability.
A positive and proactive approach to problem solving and change.
The ability to collaborate effectively and build relationships across teams.

At Arla, we believe in supporting each other's development. You'll join a collaborative environment where colleagues work together to solve challenges, share expertise and continuously improve. We are committed to helping our people grow and succeed, no matter where they are in their career journey.

What do we offer?

Joining Arla means becoming part of a global dairy cooperative and a market leader committed to producing nutritious dairy products in a sustainable way. At our Oswestry site, you'll work in a cheese packaging facility that covers 8 acres of land and packages approximately 350 different types of products, supplying branded and private-label products to customers in the UK and internationally.

Annual pay review.
Employer pension matched up to 6% contribution.
Life assurance cover of 4x annual salary.
Flexible benefits, including the option to buy additional annual leave and access discounts through the Reward Gateway scheme.
Commitment to training and development as part of our people agenda.
Access to discounted Arla products.

Our positive and collaborative culture will bring out the best in you. You'll join an organisation committed to developing talent, promoting from within and creating opportunities for growth.

Would you like to join us?

If you are ready to lead a team, drive performance and help shape the future of dairy manufacturing, we would love to hear from you.

Please apply as soon as possible as applications may be reviewed on an ongoing basis. The initial closing date is the 10th November 2026.

For additional information, please contact the Hiring Manager or reach out to Jess Thwaite, Talent Partner.

Shape the Future of Dairy

Arla is a global leader in the dairy industry, committed to enabling good food choices that make life better, providing people with nourishment, while taking care at every step to ensure Arla is a choice they can feel good about. If you are looking to shape the future with an ambitious global cooperative that truly cares about your growth, where everyone feels valued and empowered, and collaboration is the core of culture, Arla is a choice you can feel good about

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