Vacancy Detail
Chemical Production Shift Manager
Chemical Production Shift Manager – West Yorkshire
Are you looking for a hands-on operational management opportunity in a well-established chemical manufacturing environment? As a Chemical Production Shift Manager, you will play a critical role in leading people, driving plant performance, and ensuring safe, efficient operations. This role provides you with the chance to develop your leadership within a fast-paced, safety-focused workplace, with clear career progression opportunities and an excellent package including site bonus, enhanced pension, and much more.
What's in it for you?
- Structured career development and progression opportunities
- Enhanced contributory pension scheme
- Site performance bonus
- Health Cash Plan
- Employee share scheme
- Free on-site canteen
- Employee shopping discounts
- Long-service awards
- Employee Assistance Programme
- A supportive and inclusive working environment
The Role
This is a hands-on operational management role with responsibility for people, plant, safety and production performance across a busy shift. You will lead a team of Chemical Process Operators and ensure the production plan is delivered safely, efficiently and in line with quality and environmental standards.
The position operates on a continental shift pattern:
- Two 12-hour day shifts
- Two 12-hour night shifts
- Four days off
- The cycle repeats seven times
- Followed by an 18-day scheduled break
Annual leave is incorporated into the shift pattern.
Responsibilities
- Leading shift operations to achieve production targets safely, efficiently and to the required quality standards
- Managing, supporting and developing a team of Chemical Process Operators
- Allocating work and ensuring employees are trained, competent and authorised for their duties
- Maintaining high standards of health, safety, environmental and process safety compliance
- Ensuring manufacturing activities are completed in accordance with operating procedures, permits and site rules
- Monitoring plant performance and responding to process or production issues
- Making operational decisions within your area of responsibility
- Coordinating with Maintenance, Engineering, Supply Chain, Logistics and Quality Control
- Preparing plant and controlling permits for maintenance and engineering work
- Supporting controlled activities including hot work and confined-space entry
- Participating in safety audits, risk assessments, COSHH reviews, HAZOPs and incident investigations
- Maintaining accurate production, raw material and inventory records
- Supporting emergency response activities when required
- Driving high standards of housekeeping, 5S and waste minimisation
- Identifying opportunities to improve safety, reliability, productivity and team performance
About You
You should bring practical experience in chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, refining or another regulated process manufacturing environment. The role would suit an experienced Shift Manager, Production Supervisor, First Line Manager or Chemical Production Team Leader, or an ambitious Senior Operator seeking formal progression into shift management.
You will ideally have:
- Previous experience supervising or leading production personnel
- A strong understanding of health, safety and process safety requirements
- Experience working with standard operating procedures, permits and controlled manufacturing processes
- The confidence to make calm and effective decisions under pressure
- Strong communication, leadership and people-management skills
- Experience working closely with maintenance, engineering and quality teams
- A relevant technical qualification such as an ONC, HNC or HND, or equivalent industry experience
- A proactive approach to coaching, training and developing employees
- A genuine commitment to continuous improvement and safe production
Location and Package
- West Yorkshire location, close to transport links
- £50,000 - £54,000 per year
- Permanently employed, full-time
- Start date: ASAP
Applicants must have the unrestricted right to work in the UK. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
If you are seeking a long-term leadership opportunity where your contribution will be valued and you will have genuine prospects for progression, you are encouraged to apply.
Location: West Yorkshire | Salary: £50000 - £54000 per year | Job type: Permanent | Posted: 06/08/2026
