Cell Leader

Overview

Cell Leader (Operations Supervisor)

Kinnerton Confectionery, Fakenham NR21 8AF 

Kinnerton Confectionery is looking for a proactive and organised Cell Leader to coordinate day-to-day production activities while supporting key production administration processes. This role combines hands-on operational leadership with responsibility for production reporting, payroll data, system updates and shift administration.

Working closely with the Area Shift Manager, you will lead teams across a fast-paced manufacturing environment, ensuring production targets, safety standards, food quality requirements and business objectives are consistently achieved.

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: 09/10/2026

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise teams of Team Leaders, Process Operatives, Mixers and Production Operatives across multiple production lines.
• Coordinate daily production activities to achieve safety, quality, service and performance targets.
• Support the Area Shift Manager in delivering operational KPIs, business objectives and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop team capability through training, coaching, performance management and absence management processes.
• Champion a Safety First culture, ensuring risk assessments, safe systems of work and compliance standards are maintained.
• Ensure all food safety, quality, GMP and SOP requirements are consistently followed.
• Maintain accurate production, labour and payroll records while supporting KPI reporting and operational administration.

Success in this role means meeting production targets, maintaining safety standards, and leading a motivated team.

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

• Opportunities to develop leadership skills and progress within a growing business.
• 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.