Job Description

Overview

Production Supervisor (Cell Leader)

Kinnerton Confectionery, Fakenham NR21 8AF

Join Kinnerton Confectionery in Fakenham, home to NOMO, the UK's number one free-from chocolate brand, and part of a site producing over 8,500 tonnes of confectionery every year.

As Cell Leader, you'll work closely with the Area Shift Manager to lead a busy production area, developing people, driving performance and ensuring products are delivered safely, efficiently and to the highest standards.

Combining hands-on leadership with production coordination and administration, you'll play a key role in the day-to-day success of the operation, supporting your team on the factory floor while ensuring the reporting, systems and processes behind the scenes run smoothly.

Position type: Full-time, Permanent

Hours: 40.25

Shift Pattern: Monday - Sunday, 4 on 4 off, 18:00 - 06:00

Pay range: £38,000

Breaks: 30 minutes paid and 30 minutes unpaid

Key Benefits: Healthcare cash plan via paycare (Dental, Optical, Chiropody, Professional Therapy, Counselling) with a value over £400 each year.

Closing date: 30/10/2026

Responsibilities

As Cell Leader, you'll be responsible for leading your production area on a day-to-day basis, ensuring your team has the resources, support and direction needed to deliver targets safely and efficiently.

People Leadership

• Lead, motivate and develop a team of Team Leaders, Process Operatives, Mixers and Production Operatives across multiple production lines.
• Drive training, performance and workforce planning.
• Create a positive, accountable and high-performing culture.

Performance & Production

• Take ownership of daily production performance, ensuring plans are delivered safely, efficiently and to target.
• Use KPIs to identify opportunities, resolve issues and drive continuous improvement.
• Ensure effective communication, shift handovers and resource planning.

Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Champion Health & Safety, Food Safety and Quality standards.
• Maintain strong GMP, housekeeping and 5S standards.
• Proactively manage and escalate safety, quality and compliance concerns.

Administration

• Play a key role in keeping the department organised and running efficiently through accurate production administration and reporting.
• Produce batch sheets, labels and shift work packs, ensuring operators have the information needed to deliver the production plan.
• Maintain accurate labour, production and system records while supporting reporting, data queries and workforce administration.
• Support the wider manufacturing team through works orders, departmental enquiries and general administrative activities.

Qualifications

• Previous leadership or supervisory experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience managing production performance, quality and safety standards.
• Strong communication and people management skills.
• Experience coaching, training and developing employees.
• Good literacy, numeracy and computer skills, with confidence using spreadsheets and production systems.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to balance operational leadership with administrative responsibilities.
• Ability to work under pressure and maintain performance in a fast-paced environment.

If you have manufacturing leadership experience and enjoy combining people management with operational administration, we'd love to hear from you.

Rewards Benefits

• Take ownership of a key production area within a large-scale confectionery manufacturing operation.
• Lead and develop a diverse production team while working closely with experienced operational leaders.
• Play a direct role in driving performance, quality and continuous improvement.
• Join a business that actively supports internal development and career progression.
• 4% employer and 5 % employee pension plan
• Life assurance plan x4 basic salary
• Various salary sacrifice schemes including pension payments, cycle to work and electric car (subject to meeting minimum criteria)
• Healthcare cash plan via paycare (Dental, Optical, Chiropody, Professional Therapy, Counselling) with a value over £400 each year

About Us

Our Fakenham site operates across three key production areas - Novelty, Nut, and Moulding, each led by a Plant Manager and supported by dedicated Shift Managers working on a 4 on 4 off pattern across days and nights.

The Fakenham site is a 11,000m² facility producing over 8,500 tonnes of confectionery annually, including NOMO – the UK’s #1 free-from chocolate brand. With advanced technology and a nut-safe promise, we supply major retailers and co-manufacture for some of the world’s biggest confectionery brands. Every year, we produce over 5 million advent calendars and 30 million Easter eggs – making this a fast-paced, innovative environment where no two days are the same.

Application & Interview Process

Please apply online via our careers portal: create your account, upload your CV, and answer all requested questions. You will then be contacted by our Talent Acquisition team and, if progressed, enter a two stage interview process at our Kinnerton Confectionery site, including a factory tour and the opportunity to meet the team.

Kinnerton Confectionery is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Please let us know if you require any special arrangements or adjustments to be made for your interview by speaking with the Talent Acquisition team at application stage.