Line Leader

The Flavour Network; Spalding; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

The Flavour Network in Spalding, Lincolnshire, is seeking a driven Line Leader (Fresh Produce) to oversee a production line on a 12-hour shift pattern. The role involves driving performance, reducing waste, and ensuring traceability and compliance with quality standards.

Reporting to the Area Controller/Production Manager, you will lead a multi-skilled team, maintain KPI data, and ensure health and safety practices are followed to deliver customer orders on time.

Qualifications

• Experience supervising a production or manufacturing team.
• Background in fresh produce or food manufacturing sector.
• Strong prioritisation and time management.
• Good numeracy and ability to work with KPIs and performance metrics.

Responsibilities

• Lead and motivate a production line team to hit on-time delivery of orders.
• Manage line resources including stock, labour, and equipment.
• Monitor waste, labour utilisation, and right-first-time quality.
• Maintain accurate materials and run data records.
• Ensure tasks align with food safety procedures and SOPs.
• Uphold housekeeping and hygiene standards across the area.
• Support audits and traceability documentation.
• Refer issues to Area Controller when needed.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Team leadership

Time management

KPIs

Health & safety

Tools

Keelings system

Job description

Important Note: Applicants must have current eligibility to work in the UK. Sponsorship is not available for this role.

Job Title: Line Leader (Fresh Produce) - *Immediate start available!!*

Salary: £31,000

Location: Spalding, Lincolnshire

Type: Permanent // Full Time

Shifts: 12 Hour (06:30am - 18:30pm) // 2-2-3 Shift Pattern on a 2-week rotation (Example below)

Week 1 = Work 2 Days, Off 2 Days, Work 3 Days // Week 2 = Off 2 Days, Work 2 Days, Off 3 Days

The Flavour Network are excited to be partnered with a leading fresh produce grower and supplier to recruit an experienced Production Line Leader. This is a fantastic opportunity for a motivated and experienced individual to take responsibility for the performance and day-to-day management of a designated production line. As the Line Leader you will be reporting to the Area Controller/Production Manager, the successful candidate will play a key role in leading a team of multi-skilled operatives, ensuring all production activities meet strict compliance, quality standards, and departmental KPIs. The Production Line Leader will drive efficiency, reduce waste, ensure accurate traceability, and foster a culture of continuous improvement and high performance. This role requires strong supervisory skills, excellent attention to detail, and experience working in a KPI-driven environment, ideally within the fresh produce or food manufacturing industry.

Responsibilities for the Line Leader:

• Lead and motivate a production line team to drive performance, engagement, and on-time delivery of customer orders.
• Manage all line resources including stock, labour, and equipment to ensure smooth and efficient production.
• Monitor and enhance key operational metrics such as waste reduction, labour utilisation, and right-first-time quality.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date KBS records, including raw material usage and production run data.
• Ensure all tasks are completed in line with company procedures and food safety standards.
• Uphold high standards of housekeeping and hygiene across the production area.
• Train new and existing team members according to the training plan and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Complete all required documentation and ensure traceability, quality, and compliance with legal and customer standards.
• Ensure health and safety procedures are followed, and that all incidents, near misses, and risks are reported and managed appropriately.
• Support internal audits (GMP, Technical, etc.) and ensure production line readiness.
• Refer man management and operational issues to the Area Controller where necessary.

Requirements for the Line Leader

• Proven experience in a supervisory or team leader role within a production or manufacturing environment.
• Previous experience in the fresh produce or food manufacturing sector.
• Strong prioritisation and time management skills.
• High attention to detail and a focus on quality
• Confident communicator with good verbal and written communication skills.
• Good numeracy and the ability to work with KPIs and performance metrics.
• Strong awareness of health & safety and compliance in a production setting.
• Familiarity with production systems (e.g. Keelings) or traceability documentation is desirable.
• Familiarity with Fresh Produce Packaging Machinery is desirable.
• Experience supporting or participating in audits or quality inspections