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
Only candidates based in UK and eligible to work in UK are allowed