Production Line Leader

IPS; St Helens; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Life Assurance

Wellness – Employee Assistance

Eye Care Vouchers

Reward & Recognition

Everyday discounts

Job summary

IPS in Saint Helens is seeking a confident Production Line Leader to head a fast‑moving co‑packing and manufacturing operation. You will set up the line each shift, lead a team, and drive performance to meet targets while upholding high quality and safety standards.

You will manage start‑ups, coach colleagues, monitor KPIs, improve efficiency, and ensure compliance with hygiene and paperwork procedures across rotating shifts.

Qualifications

• Experience in fast-paced production/manufacturing.
• Proven ability to motivate and develop a team to hit targets.
• Self-motivated with ownership and results driven.
• Solid understanding of production processes and equipment.
• Strong documentation and handover discipline.
• Clear communication across all levels.
• Proactive in improving efficiency and quality.

Responsibilities

• Set up the production line each shift, carrying out start-up checks and health and safety checks to ensure everything is ready to run smoothly.
• Lead, motivate, and support your team to consistently achieve production targets and maintain high performance standards.
• Train and guide colleagues on the line, helping to build capability and confidence across the team.
• Make sure finished products meet client specifications and quality expectations at all times.
• Monitor KPIs such as output, downtime, and waste, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce bottlenecks.
• Drive productivity on an hourly and daily basis to ensure production plans are delivered in full.
• Champion best practice across health, safety, hygiene, and quality standards.
• Keep paperwork and systems accurate and up to date in line with company procedures.
• Ensure all areas are audit-ready and compliant with internal and external hygiene standards.

Skills

Team leadership

Motivation & coaching

Communication skills

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Continuous improvement

Job description

Company Description

Part of the Culina Group, IPS is the UK market leader in Contract Packing solutions. IPS provides the most extensive pool of Contract Packing equipment and expertise available in the UK. IPS continues to grow and is now widely integrated and embedded within operations right across the Culina Group network.

Job Description

We’re looking for a confident and hands‑on Production Line Leader to join IPS at our Saint Helens site. You’ll be at the heart of a fast‑moving co‑packing and manufacturing operation, helping to deliver outstanding performance for some of the UK’s best‑known retailers and FMCG brands. If you thrive in a busy environment, enjoy motivating people, and take pride in hitting targets while maintaining high standards, this could be the ideal next step in your career.

This role is a permanent role working Monday to Friday across a rotating 3‑shift pattern: 6am–2pm, 2pm–10pm, and 10pm–6am.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Set up the production line each shift, carrying out start-up checks and health and safety checks to ensure everything is ready to run smoothly.
• Lead, motivate, and support your team to consistently achieve production targets and maintain high performance standards.
• Train and guide colleagues on the line, helping to build capability and confidence across the team.
• Make sure finished products meet client specifications and quality expectations at all times.
• Monitor KPIs such as output, downtime, and waste, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce bottlenecks.
• Drive productivity on an hourly and daily basis to ensure production plans are delivered in full.
• Champion best practice across health, safety, hygiene, and quality standards.
• Keep paperwork and systems accurate and up to date in line with company procedures.
• Ensure all areas are audit-ready and compliant with internal and external hygiene standards.

Qualifications

What we’re looking for:

• Previous experience in a fast‑paced production or manufacturing environment, ideally within FMCG or food manufacturing.
• A proven ability to motivate, coach, and develop a team to meet and exceed targets.
• A self‑motivated, results‑driven approach with a strong sense of ownership.
• A solid understanding of production machinery, manufacturing processes, and operational best practice.
• Strong attention to detail, particularly when managing paperwork, stock accuracy, and shift handovers.
• Clear and confident communication skills, with the ability to engage positively at all levels.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills and the confidence to make effective decisions in a fast‑moving environment.
• A proactive mindset and genuine passion for continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Additional Information

As part of our drive to make IPS a great place to work, we are proud to be an inclusive and diverse organisation where we are committed to employee development and recognising success for hard working performers.

Our dedicated learning and development programmes are open to every employee to give you the opportunity to shape your own future within logistics and continue to work in an environment where team culture thrives.

Our people are the driving force behind our success, which is why we offer a wide range of benefits which include:

• Competitive Holiday entitlement.
• Pension scheme – 4% employee and 4% employer contribution.
• Life Assurance - x2 your annual salary.
• Wellness – Via our Employee Assistance Programme we offer immediate access to a confidential telephone counselling and legal information service that operates 24 hours a days, 365 days a year.
• Eye Care Vouchers – We can provide you with substantial savings with free eye tests and discounts on prescription glasses.
• Reward & Recognition – We recognise that employees have gone the extra mile via Employee of the Month and Year, special recognition and long service awards.
• Everyday discounts - Via our benefit platform you will have access to over 50 retailer discounts for everyday savings!