First Line Manager

px Group; Bradford; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension match

Cash plan

Staff meals

Onsite parking

Job summary

px Group's Wyke Agrichemicals Manufacturing Plant in Bradford is recruiting a First Line Manager to lead shift operations, manage a team of Operators and deliver the short-term production plan while meeting safety and quality standards.

You will receive on-the-job training and development opportunities, with a focus on process safety, continuous improvement and efficient plant performance within a highly technical environment.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience in a chemical or process manufacturing environment.
• Technical qualification (HND/ONC or equivalent) essential.
• Supervisory or leadership experience highly valued.
• Comfortable working within strict safety and process controls.

Responsibilities

• Lead shift operations to ensure production targets are achieved safely and to quality standards.
• Directly manage, train and develop a team of Operators, including competence validation.
• Maintain high levels of SHE and process safety awareness and compliance at all times.
• Ensure operations are carried out in line with standard operating procedures and permits.
• Coordinate with Maintenance, Engineering, Supply Chain, Logistics and QC to minimise downtime.
• Participate in safety audits, risk assessments, HAZOPs, COSHH reviews and incident investigations.

Skills

Leadership

Supervisory experience

Safety leadership

Process improvement

Decision-making under pressure

Education

HND/ONC or equivalent

Job description

First Line Manager

Application Deadline: 28 September 2026

Department: Operations

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Wyke

Reporting To: Operations Leader

Description

Our Business

px PEOPLE, their commitment to excellence, innovation and teamwork, are the reason for px Group’s continuing growth and success story. We aim to be the elite provider of operations management, engineering services and energy management solutions in high hazard, highly regulated industries nationally and as we grow, across Europe and globally. For more information visit www.pxlimited.com

Located in Bradford, West Yorkshire, px Group’s Wyke Agrichemicals Manufacturing Plant site is one of the UK’s leading crop protection manufacturing facilities and an important part of px Group’s Chemical division. The site manufactures and supplies products that help farmers protect crops and produce more from the land.

Wyke is a Top Tier COMAH site, operating a complex chemical manufacturing environment where safety, reliability and operational excellence are fundamental to everything we do. With a skilled workforce across manufacturing, engineering, laboratory, supply chain and support functions, the site offers the opportunity to work alongside experienced professionals in a highly technical environment

The Opportunity

We are now recruiting for a First Line Manager.

As a First Line Manager, you will play a critical role in delivering safe and reliable production by leading shift operations within your production area. You will manage day-to-day manufacturing activities, make operational decisions within your remit, and lead a team of operators to deliver the short-term production plan while meeting quality, safety and environmental standards

You’ll be supported with personalised on the job training, coaching, mentoring and twice-yearly development and performance reviews to help maintain & develop your contributions and competence.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead shift operations to ensure production targets are achieved safely and to quality standards
• Directly manage, train and develop a team of Operators, including competence validation
• Maintain high levels of SHE and process safety awareness and compliance at all times
• Ensure operations are carried out in line with standard operating procedures and permits
• Coordinate with Maintenance, Engineering, Supply Chain, Logistics and QC to minimise downtime
• Participate in safety audits, risk assessments, HAZOPs, COSHH reviews and incident investigations
• Prepare plant and permits for maintenance, engineering work, hot work and confined space entry
• Maintain accurate production, raw material and inventory records within the ERP system
• Support emergency response activities as part of the site Emergency Response Team
• Drive housekeeping standards, 5S ownership and waste minimisation within the area

Minimum Requirements

We’re looking for someone with hands-on experience in a chemical or process manufacturing environment who is ready to take responsibility for people, plant and performance on shift. A technical qualification (HND/ONC or equivalent experience) is essential, with supervisory or leadership experience highly valued. You’ll be confident working within strict safety and process controls, comfortable making decisions under pressure, and motivated to continuously improve performance.

This role is a shift role working 2-day shifts (12 hours) 2 nights shifts (12 hours) then 4 off. This repeats 7 times then there is an 18-day break. Holidays are included in the shift pattern.

What you will receive from us

• A boosted pension scheme – we’ll match 1.25% to every 1% you pay (up to 8%)
• Simply Health Cash Plan
• Staff Meals
• Onsite parking

We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

Please note this role may close early or be extended depending on the volume of applications.