Production Line Leader

IPS LLP; St Helens; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

IPS LLP is seeking a confident Production Line Leader for our Saint Helens site. You’ll drive a fast-paced co-packing and manufacturing operation, leading a team to hit targets while upholding high quality standards.

The role operates on a rotating 3-shift pattern (6am-2pm, 2pm-10pm, 10pm-6am) Monday to Friday, requiring hands-on leadership, coaching, and continuous improvement mindset.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a fast-paced production or manufacturing environment, ideally FMCG or food manufacturing.
• Proven ability to motivate, coach, and develop a team to meet and exceed targets.
• Strong ownership mindset and results-driven approach.
• Solid understanding of production machinery, processes, and operational best practice.
• Attention to detail in paperwork, stock accuracy, and shift handovers.
• Clear communication skills at all levels.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making in a fast-moving environment.

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

Health & safety

Problem solving

Education

Experience in FMCG manufacturing

Tools

Manufacturing equipment

Job description

Job 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.

We're looking for a confident and hands-on Production Line Leader to join IPS at our Saint Helens site. Youll be at the heart of a fast-moving co-packing and manufacturing operation, helping to deliver outstanding performance for some of the UKs 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

• 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