Production Manager (Swing Shift)

Production Manager, Swing Shift

Location: Poole, Dorset

Department: Operations

Hours: Full time, Swing Shift

Salary: £45,000 to £55,000 per annum, depending on experience, plus shift allowance

Reporting to: Operations Leadership Team

About The Role

Are you an experienced production leader who thrives in a fast paced, high volume environment?

We are looking for a Production Manager to take ownership of our swing shift operation at Charles Trent. This is a senior operational role where you will lead multi functional teams, drive production performance and ensure the smooth flow of vehicles through our reverse production operation.

At Charles Trent, we operate differently to a traditional automotive recycler. Our operation combines automotive expertise with production and manufacturing principles to recover maximum value from end of life vehicles.

As Production Manager, you will play a key role in making that model work at scale.

You’ll have real ownership of your shift, with responsibility for output, productivity, labour deployment, operational flow, standards and performance.

What You’ll Be Responsible For

You will lead the shift to deliver safe, efficient and consistent production performance.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Deliver daily production output in line with agreed plans and targets.
• Lead and develop large, multi functional operational teams.
• Manage labour deployment, productivity and labour costs across the shift.
• Monitor operational flow and respond quickly to bottlenecks or issues.
• Drive vehicle throughput and parts recovery performance.
• Protect operational efficiency, quality and contribution margin.
• Maintain high standards of safety, compliance, housekeeping and operational discipline.
• Lead the response to operational issues and ensure effective corrective action.
• Use production data and performance information to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Develop a culture of accountability, ownership and continuous improvement.
• Work closely with other operational leaders to ensure effective handovers and consistent performance.

What Success Looks Like

You’ll be successful when your shift delivers:

• Consistent vehicle throughput against plan.
• Smooth and predictable flow through the operation.
• Strong labour productivity and effective resource deployment.
• Controlled overtime and labour costs.
• Reduced damage, scrap and rework.
• High operational and safety standards.
• Strong team engagement and accountability.
• Clear, data led decision making.
• Continuous improvement in productivity and performance.

About You

We’re looking for an experienced production or operations leader who is ready to take ownership of a large, high volume operation.

You’ll ideally have:

• Experience managing large teams, either directly or through team leaders.
• A proven track record of delivering production or operational targets.
• Experience working in a fast paced manufacturing, processing, logistics or distribution environment.
• Strong understanding of productivity, labour planning and cost control.
• Confidence making decisions quickly in a live operational environment.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• A practical, hands on approach to operational problem solving.
• The ability to use data and performance information to drive decisions.
• A genuine focus on results, continuous improvement and operational standards.

Experience We Value

We welcome candidates from a range of high volume operational backgrounds, including:

• Automotive manufacturing.
• FMCG and high volume production.
• Recycling and waste processing.
• Logistics and distribution.
• Other complex, high throughput operational environments.

Lean, continuous improvement or process improvement experience would be beneficial but is not essential.

IOSH Managing Safely or an equivalent qualification would also be desirable.

What We Offer

• £45,000 to £55,000 salary, depending on experience.
• Shift allowance.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Pension scheme.
• Discounted fuel.
• Staff discount on vehicle parts.
• Health Cash Plan with Health Shield following successful probation.
• Critical Illness Cover.
• Death in Service benefit.
• Family Day.
• Community Volunteer Day.
• Additional annual leave after 3 years' service.
• Increased pension contributions after 5 years' service.
• The opportunity to progress within a growing operational business.

Why Join Charles Trent?

Charles Trent is a growing, innovative business with a unique approach to automotive recycling.

We have built a reverse production model that brings together automotive expertise, technology and manufacturing principles to maximise the value recovered from end of life vehicles.

This is an opportunity to join that operation at an exciting stage of its development.

You’ll have genuine ownership of your shift, direct influence over operational performance and the opportunity to develop your career as the business continues to grow.

If you’re an experienced production leader who enjoys solving problems, developing people and delivering results, we’d like to hear from you.

This isn't a role where you'll simply oversee the operation. You'll have the opportunity to lead it, improve it and make it perform.

Equal Opportunities

Charles Trent is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Evidence of this will be requested during the recruitment process.