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 LeaderPrevious 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 advantageousA 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 opportunitiesIf 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.

Apply now or contact Talent STEM for a confidential discussion