First Line Manager

Chesterfield Poultry; Doncaster; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Chesterfield Poultry in Doncaster is seeking a capable First Line Manager to support the Production Manager in overseeing daily manufacturing operations, ensuring safety, quality and on-time delivery. You will lead line teams, monitor KPIs like OEE and yield, manage schedules, and uphold HACCP/ISO standards in a fast-paced food environment.

This role requires strong leadership, problem-solving under pressure, and effective communication to train staff and maintain production reports.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, technology, or engineering.
• 3–5 years experience in food manufacturing and Dispatch Operations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily production activities on the floor.
• Ensure targets (volume, OEE, yield, efficiency) are met.
• Monitor workflow and adjust schedules as needed.
• Reduce downtime and improve productivity.
• Supervise line leaders and production staff.
• Conduct shift briefings and train on SOPs.
• Handle attendance and performance issues.
• Coordinate raw material availability and minimise waste.
• Coordinate preventive maintenance and report breakdowns.
• Maintain production reports and KPI summaries.

Skills

Leadership & people management

Food safety knowledge

Problem-solving under pressure

Production planning understanding

Lean manufacturing basics

Good communication skills

Education

Bachelor's in Food Science

Food Technology

Industrial Engineering

Manufacturing/Production Engineering

Job description

First Line Manager

Location: Doncaster

Salary: £42,000

Key Performance Areas

• 08.00 - 17.00 one hour unpaid for lunch
• 15.00 - 12.00 / 13.00 - one hour unpaid for lunch.

An Assistant Production Manager in food manufacturing supports the Production Manager in overseeing daily manufacturing operations to ensure products are made safely, efficiently, on time, and within quality standards.

Production Operations

• Supervise daily production activities on the floor.
• Ensure production targets (volume, OEE, yield, efficiency) are met.
• Monitor workflow and adjust schedules as needed.
• Reduce downtime and improve productivity.

Food Safety & Quality Compliance

Ensure compliance with:

• HACCP
• GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices)
• FDA / local food regulations
• ISO / FSSC standards (if applicable)
• Monitor hygiene, sanitation, and CCPs (Critical Control Points)
• Coordinate with Quality Assurance teams

Team Management

• Supervise line leaders and production staff.
• Conduct shift briefings.
• Train employees on SOPs and safety procedures.
• Handle attendance, discipline, and performance issues.

Inventory & Materials Control

• Coordinate raw material availability.
• Minimise waste and product loss.
• Monitor packaging material usage.

Equipment & Maintenance

• Ensure machinery is operating properly.
• Coordinate preventive maintenance.
• Report breakdowns and reduce production delays.

Reporting & Documentation

• Maintain production reports.
• Track KPIs (OEE, yield, downtime, waste).
• Prepare daily/weekly performance summaries.

Required Skills

• Knowledge of food safety regulations.
• Leadership & people management.
• Problem-solving under pressure.
• Understanding of production planning.
• Basic knowledge of lean manufacturing principles.
• Good communication skills.

Educational Background

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science
• Food Technology
• Industrial Engineering
• Manufacturing/Production Engineering
• 3-5 years experience in food manufacturing and Dispatch Operations.