First Line Manager - Days

Talent STEM is recruiting for a First Line Manager to join a well-established chemical manufacturing business in Bradford.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Senior Process Operator, Lead Operator, Production Team Leader or Chemical Process Technician who has built a strong technical background within chemical manufacturing and is now ready to progress into formal operational management.

You do not necessarily need to have already held a First Line Manager title. The business is particularly interested in technically strong people who understand the realities of operating a chemical plant and have the credibility, communication skills and leadership potential to take the next step.

The Role

Working within a busy chemical manufacturing environment, you will take responsibility for the safe and effective day-to-day operation of your production area and the people working within it.

You will provide hands-on leadership to plant operators while working closely with Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, SHE and wider Operations teams.

Responsibilities will include:

• Leading and supporting production operators on a day-to-day basis
• Ensuring plant activities are completed safely and in accordance with site procedures
• Maintaining strong standards of process safety, environmental compliance and operational discipline
• Allocating work and ensuring operators are trained, competent and authorised
• Supporting production plans and responding to operational or process issues
• Working closely with Engineering and Maintenance around plant reliability and planned work
• Supporting Permit-to-Work and plant isolation activities
• Ensuring appropriate preparation and handover of equipment for maintenance
• Supporting risk assessments, incident investigations and safety improvement activity
• Monitoring plant and team performance
• Coaching and developing operators
• Maintaining high standards of housekeeping and 5S
• Identifying opportunities to improve safety, reliability and productivity

About You

We are particularly interested in candidates with a strong background in chemical or process manufacturing.

You may currently be working as a:

• Senior Process Operator
• Senior Chemical Operator
• Lead Operator
• Process Technician
• Production Technician
• Chemical Process Operator
• Production Team Leader
• Shift Team Leader

Previous formal management experience would be beneficial, but it is not essential if you can demonstrate strong technical experience and the potential to progress into a First Line Manager position.

You will ideally bring experience of:

• Chemical or high-hazard process manufacturing
• Plant operations and process safety
• Permit-to-Work systems
• Plant isolations / safe systems of work
• SOPs and controlled operating procedures
• Working alongside Engineering and Maintenance teams
• Troubleshooting plant or production issues
• Training or mentoring less experienced operators
• Safety observations, risk assessments or incident investigations
• DCS / process control systems
• COMAH-regulated environments would be particularly advantageous
• A relevant technical qualification such as an NVQ Level 3, ONC, HNC, HND or equivalent industry experience would also be beneficial.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

The role offers the chance to move from a senior technical/operator position into formal production management, while remaining close to the plant and day-to-day operations.

Importantly, this is a Monday-to-Friday day role, making it particularly attractive to experienced shift workers who want to move away from nights and weekends without leaving chemical manufacturing.

The wider package includes benefits such as:

• Enhanced contributory pension
• Site performance bonus
• Health Cash Plan
• Employee share scheme
• Free on-site canteen
• Employee discounts
• Long-service benefits
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Career development and progression opportunities

If you are an experienced chemical/process operator who feels ready for the next step into leadership, we would be very interested in speaking with you.