Production Supervisor

Responsible for:

• Senior Operative
• Factory Operatives AND
• Volunteers and individuals on work placements

The Production Supervisor will lead a small production team, ensuring the smooth and effective operation of the factory in the manufacture of various pet products. The role combines commercial production responsibility with the provision of a safe, supportive, and inclusive working environment for people with disabilities, including paid staff, volunteers, and individuals on work placements.

Production must meet agreed commercial quality standards and delivery timescales, while taking into account the individual skills, abilities, and support needs of the workforce.

The role includes responsibility for ensuring individuals on work placements are appropriately assessed, monitored, supported, and allocated suitable tasks, with their safety and wellbeing maintained at all times.

The post holder will act with integrity and will value, respect, and actively promote equality, diversity, dignity, and inclusion.

• Take overall responsibility for health and safety supervision within a complex factory environment that includes staff and volunteers with disabilities, heavy‑duty machinery, and individuals with varying levels of experience

• Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, ISO
  9001, HACCP systems, and Independence Matters policies

• Provide appropriate supervision to staff and volunteers, assessing individuals’ capability and suitability for specific tasks

• Ensure safe systems of work are in place, machinery pre‑start checks are completed, and required documentation is maintained and reviewed

• Ensure all staff and volunteers receive appropriate induction, training, refresher training, and contamination control awareness

• Assess individuals’ capacity, behaviour, and价格要 to ensure safe placement within the factory

• Monitor and carry out machinery maintenance, ensure documentation is completed, and report issues to the Factory Manager

• Ensure awareness and compliance with Fire Safety, First Aid, and individual responsibilities

• Take immediate action and report any health and safety concerns, unsafe practices, or machinery misuse

• Organise and manage factory clean‑downs to maintain a safe working environment

Provide appropriate First Aid provision across the workforce

• Set daily and weekly production schedules to meet customer demand, delivery timescales, and stock requirements

• Adjust production plans based on machinery capacity, raw materials availability, clean‑down requirements, and labour resources

• Plan production schedules for holiday periods to support forward planning

• Ensure appropriate placement and support of individuals on work placements based on training needs, disabilities, and capabilities

• Ensure staff provide high‑quality support, instruction, and supervision to volunteers

• Monitor and order raw materials, tools, and PPE to ensure continuity of production

• Directly undertake high‑level production tasks (e.g. forklift operation, band saw use, baling) where required

• Diagnose and resolve machinery breakdowns to minimise production disruption

• Implement changes to procedures and health and safety systems, ensuring clear communication to staff and management

• Liaise with external engineers and develop internal knowledge of machinery where safe and appropriate

• Motivate individuals, build effective teams, and manage varying abilities, restrictions, and attitudes, including mandatory placements

• Encourage and support staff and individuals on work placements to achieve and improve productivity relative to their abilities

• Deliver inductions, training, and refresher training aligned to work plans and development needs

• Assess learning needs and ensure individuals are appropriately prepared before working on the factory floor

• Maintain accurate records of material usage, wastage, and production output

• Manage day‑to‑day personnel issues, including conflict resolution where required

• Organise and lead regular team talks covering production, quality, machinery, and performance

• Implement lean manufacturing…