Production Line Manager
High-Risk Food Manufacturing 📍 South Tyneside 💷 £38,000 - £40,000 DOE 🕒 Permanent | Full Time
Lead People. Deliver Performance. Drive Improvement.
A leading high-risk food manufacturer supplying premium products to major UK retailers is seeking an experienced Production Line Manager to join its growing operation in South Tyneside.
This is far more than a traditional supervisory role. The successful candidate will play a key part in leading production teams, driving operational performance, maintaining exceptional food safety standards and contributing to a culture of continuous improvement. The business is undergoing significant investment and growth, offering genuine opportunities for career progression and professional development.
The Role
Reporting to the Production Manager, the Production Line Manager will take ownership of one or more production lines, ensuring operational targets are achieved safely, efficiently and consistently.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading, motivating and developing production teams to achieve high levels of engagement and performance.
- Creating a positive culture built on accountability, teamwork and respect.
- Managing daily production activities to deliver output, quality and efficiency targets.
- Monitoring and improving labour utilisation, waste reduction, downtime and overall line performance.
- Conducting team briefings, coaching sessions and performance reviews.
- Ensuring compliance with all food safety, hygiene and quality standards.
- Supporting training and development initiatives across the production team.
- Managing attendance, performance and employee wellbeing in line with company procedures.
- Analysing production KPIs and using data to drive continuous improvement.
- Working collaboratively with Technical, Engineering, Planning, Supply Chain, HR and Senior Leadership teams.
Food Safety & Quality
The successful candidate will maintain the highest standards across:
- GMP and hygiene compliance
- HACCP controls
- Allergen management
- Product traceability
- Foreign body prevention
- Health & Safety standards
- Retailer and customer requirements
About the Candidate
Applications are welcomed from experienced Line Managers, Production Supervisors or Team Leaders who have a passion for leadership and operational excellence within a food manufacturing environment.
The ideal candidate will possess:
- Proven experience leading teams within food manufacturing.
- Strong knowledge of GMP, hygiene and food safety standards.
- Excellent communication and people management skills.
- The ability to motivate and develop teams.
- Strong organisational and problem-solving capabilities.
- Confidence making decisions in a fast-paced environment.
- A proactive, hands-on leadership approach.
- Good IT and production reporting system skills.
- A continuous improvement mindset.
Essential Requirements
- Previous experience managing or supervising production teams.
- Good understanding of Health & Safety legislation and best practice.
- Food Safety qualification (Level 2 or above).
- Strong understanding of GMP standards.
Desirable Experience
- High-risk chilled food manufacturing experience.
- Seafood manufacturing experience.
- HACCP awareness.
- Lean Manufacturing or Continuous Improvement training.
- First Line Management qualification (ILM or equivalent).
- Experience using ERP or production management systems.
What's on Offer?
- Competitive salary of £38,000 - £40,000 depending on experience.
- Opportunity to join a growing and ambitious food manufacturing business.
- Ongoing training, coaching and leadership development.
- Genuine opportunities for career progression.
- Supportive leadership team and collaborative working environment.
- The chance to make a significant impact on operational performance and team culture.
This is an excellent opportunity for a driven production leader who enjoys developing people, improving processes and delivering results in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
To apply or find out more, please get in touch today.