First Line Manager (Food)

Ad Warrior Ltd; Thorne; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Ad Warrior Ltd in Doncaster is seeking a Production Manager (Food) to oversee daily manufacturing operations, ensuring safety, efficiency, on-time delivery and quality standards.

You will supervise line leaders and staff, drive OEE, yield and downtime improvements, ensure HACCP/GMP/ISO compliance, manage dispatch and maintain KPI reports; leadership and training are essential for team development.

Qualifications

• Food safety regulations knowledge required.
• Leadership and people management experience.
• Ability to solve problems under pressure.
• Understanding of production and dispatch planning.
• Basic knowledge of lean manufacturing principles.
• Strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Supervise daily production activities on the floor and ensure targets (volume, OEE, yield, efficiency) are met.
• Monitor workflow and adjust schedules to maintain on-time, in-full output.
• Coordinate with Quality Assurance and ensure HACCP, GMP, ISO/FOOD compliance.
• Lead line leaders and production staff, conduct shift briefings, and train on SOPs and safety.
• Minimise waste and manage inventory/packaging materials to support on-time delivery.
• Maintain production reports and track KPIs (OEE, waste, downtime).
• Handle attendance, discipline, and performance issues as needed.

Skills

Food safety regulations

Leadership & people management

Problem-solving under pressure

Production & dispatch planning

Lean manufacturing principles

Good communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science

Food Technology

Industrial Engineering

Manufacturing/Production Engineering

3–5 years experience in food manufacturing and Dispatch Operations

Job description

Production Manager (Food)

Location: Coulman Road, Thorne, Doncaster, South Yorkshire

Salary: Up to £50K dependent on experience

Vacancy Type: Permanent

As the First Line Manager in food manufacturing you will oversee the 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 and Dispatch Operations.
• 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.
• Ensure outload of materials are conducted in a timely manner to achieve on time in full KPIs.

Equipment & Maintenance

• Ensure machinery is operating properly.
• Coordinate preventive maintenance.
• Report breakdowns and reduce production delays.
• Report shortages predicted to enable this to be managed with customers.

Reporting & Documentation

• Maintain production reports.
• Track KPIs (OEE, yield, downtime, OTIS, waste).
• Prepare daily/weekly performance summaries.
• Manage 121s for direct line reports.

Required Skills

• Knowledge of food safety regulations.
• Leadership & people management.
• Problem-solving under pressure.
• Understanding of production & dispatch 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.

Shifts are the following:

Monday to Friday

Occasional weekend work during peak seasons

Shifts:

40 hours per week with one hour for lunch unpaid

Rotating:

08.30 - 17.30 Week 1

11.00 - 20.00 Week 2

15.00 - Finish (1am usually) Week 3

When working 15.00 onwards shift allowance of £100 will be provided per week.

CMI / ILM Level 3 / 5 qualification post 6 months service with huge development opportunities.