Manufacturing Team Leader

Location: Hastings, East Sussex, TN38 9PU
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Hours: 40 per week

Would you like to be part of a team that is enabling technology for a better world? Kurt J. Lesker Company could be the place for you!

About the role:
Join the Kurt J. Lesker Company as a Manufacturing Team Leader at our European Headquarters in St. Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex.

We're seeking a motivated and hands-on leader with experience in a manufacturing environment, a strong focus on quality, safety, and continuous improvement, and the ability to develop and support a high-performing team. 

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in supporting manufacturing operations, ensuring production targets are achieved, and helping to deliver products that support cutting-edge technologies around the world.

About us:
Kurt J. Lesker Company (KJLC) is a global leader in advanced manufacturing, delivering high-performance vacuum products and systems that power innovation across semiconductor, aerospace, medical, and optical industries. With over 70 years of expertise, we’re trusted by some of the world’s most critical sectors to support the development of next-generation technologies. We’re proud to be recognised for our commitment to sustainability, ethical practices, and a workplace culture that values excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate, and support a team of production employees to achieve safety, quality, delivery, and productivity objectives.
• Provide day-to-day supervision of manufacturing activities, ensuring work is completed efficiently and in line with business priorities.
• Act as a point of escalation for production issues, coordinating resources and support to maintain workflow and resolve challenges.
• Develop team capability through coaching, mentoring, training, and performance management.
• Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement across the production environment.
• Monitor production performance against targets and implement actions to improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance.
• Ensure compliance with manufacturing procedures, quality standards, and customer requirements.
• Support problem-solving activities, root cause investigations, and implementation of corrective actions.
• Collaborate with Production, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and other departments to improve processes and operational effectiveness.
• Ensure accurate completion of production documentation and adherence to company systems and processes.
• Establish and maintain a safe working environment, identifying hazards and supporting risk reduction initiatives.
• Support daily production review meetings and visual management systems, ensuring priorities are clearly communicated and executed.
• Conduct employee performance reviews, provide regular feedback, and address performance concerns where appropriate.
• Identify training needs and coordinate development plans to enhance team skills, flexibility, and succession planning.
• Support Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives that drive operational excellence.

• HNC/HND in Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations Management, Business Management, or equivalent experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience leading or supervising teams in a manufacturing or production environment.
• Strong understanding of production planning, workflow management, quality requirements, and health & safety practices.
• Demonstrated ability to coach, develop, and motivate employees to achieve business objectives.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Experience managing performance through KPIs and operational metrics.
• A proactive approach to continuous improvement and process optimization.

• Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or Continuous Improvement experience.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary manufacturing teams.
• Previous experience within a high-precision manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and production planning processes.
• Experience with root cause analysis tools such as 5 Whys, Fishbone, or A3 problem solving.

• Competitive salary
• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays
• Matched pension up to 5%
• Health Cash Plan offering £600 per annum towards your standard healthcare costs for both you and your family, plus access to a free 24-hour doctor service
• Income protection insurance
• Cycle to work scheme
• Enhanced maternity/paternity pay
• Corporate, wellness and charity events throughout the year with the option to earn an extra day of annual leave

Please note we have a PSL in place and are unable to accept speculative CV’s from recruitment agencies.

Kurt J Lesker Company Ltd is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, irrespective of race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marital status, or any other protected characteristic.

Applicants who require reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process are encouraged to contact us in advance so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

For further information or assistance, please contact [email protected]

Kurt J. Lesker Company Ltd is a limited company