Production Line Leader(nights)

Science In Sport Group is a world leader in sports and performance nutrition. We have two brands: SiS and PhD Nutrition. The brands sell through phd.com and scienceinsport.com digital platforms, third‑party online marketplaces including Amazon, and extensive domestic and international retail distribution. In 2022 the company opened a state of the art manufacturing and logistics facility in Blackburn, Lancashire.

As a Production Line Leader in our world-class food manufacturing facility, you will be responsible for leading a team on a production line to deliver safe, high‑quality, and efficient output. You will ensure quality standards are met, safety procedures are followed and lead your teams to exceed target output and changeover expectations. Through coaching, training, and daily guidance and feedback, you will build the capability and confidence of production operatives. Working collaboratively with other teams, you will drive a culture of accountability, high performance, and operational excellence.

Contract: Permanent

Salary: £15.34 per hour

Working Hours: Monday – Thursday nights (44 hours)

Location: Blackburn

Benefits:

• On-site gym
• Cycle to work scheme
• Product discount
• Birthday day off
• Pension scheme, employer contribution at 4%

Your 4 most important responsibilities:

• People Safety: Promote a safety‑first mindset by ensuring your team follows all health and safety procedures, reports hazards promptly, and actively participates in safety initiatives. Lead by example to maintain a safe and compliant work environment.
• Product Quality: Ensure all products produced on your line meet required quality standards. Follow SOPs, perform routine quality checks, complete paperwork, and address issues quickly and effectively to prevent repeat problems.
• Operational Efficiency: Lead the team on your line to deliver the daily production plan by managing changeovers effectively, reducing downtime, and meeting targets for output, waste, and cost control.
• Team Leadership & Development: Coach, support, and motivate your team. Set clear expectations, provide regular feedback, and address performance concerns constructively to ensure fair and consistent development and engagement.

Accountability – what you are responsible for delivering:

• Production Performance Management: Deliver the daily production plan, ensure output and efficiency targets are achieved. Lead and coordinate changeovers, ensuring they are completed within target timeframes and right‑first‑time. Control the number of operators on your line according to BOMs. Accurately update production trackers and records on time. Monitor line performance and take proactive steps to address issues.
• Quality & Compliance: Ensure the team remains compliant with SOPs and quality procedures. Complete all Critical Control Point (CCP) checks accurately and on time. Communicate quality expectations clearly to prevent NCRs. Act as a role model for quality standards and address deviations through coaching. Maintain audit readiness by reinforcing Clean As You Go (CAYG). Support quality investigations and help implement corrective actions when needed.
• Health & Safety: Ensure team members consistently follow all health and safety procedures. Report incidents, near misses, and hazards immediately. Reinforce safety behaviours through toolbox talks, routine checks, and daily conversations. Only assign tasks requiring specific training to fully trained team members.
• Team Leadership & Development: Set clear goals and expectations for all team members at the start of every shift. Recognise and celebrate strong performance and exceptional behaviour. Support underperformance through constructive coaching. Treat every person with respect. Ensure job rotations are carried out as required on time. Deputise for the Shift Manager when needed to maintain continuity of leadership and standards.
• Communication & Collaboration: Conduct clear shift handovers, maintain walkaway standards at the end of each shift, escalate issues promptly using the site process, log all equipment breakdowns in the eMaint system, and share relevant information with Engineers to support fault finding.
• Stock Accuracy & Waste Control: Complete stock returns accurately and ensure correct use of raw materials and packaging. Monitor, capture and report waste, escalating issues early to engineering and the Shift Manager. Find and implement actions for waste reduction.

Capability – the skills and behaviours required:

• Leadership & Communication: Confidently lead a team, provide guidance, and communicate with colleagues effectively and respectfully.
• Health & Safety Awareness: Knowledgeable in workplace safety and proactive in promoting a safe environment.
• Production Knowledge: Skilled in managing line operations and changeovers in a fast-paced setting.
• Problem Solving & Decision Making: Address issues calmly and make informed decisions to maintain performance.
• Attention to Detail & Organization: Accurate in keeping records and forward‑planning to keep the team prepared.
• English Language Proficiency: Ability to understand and communicate clearly in spoken and written English for documentation and team communication.
• IT & Systems: Proficient in SAP and Microsoft Office; able to learn new technologies quickly.
• Continuous Improvement: Experienced with tools like 5 Whys and RCA to drive improvements.

Performance – how you will know you are doing a great job:

• Safety Performance: Safe team practices with minimal incidents under your supervision.
• Safety Engagement: Team meets or exceeds safety observation targets and contributes useful observations.
• Production Performance: Production targets are met with improving efficiency and reduced downtime.
• Product Quality: High product quality with minimal non‑conformances, held stock, or rework.
• Continuous Improvement: You actively contribute to efficiency, quality, and waste reduction improvements.
• Team Development: Your team is engaged and developing through regular feedback and training.
• Team Culture and Wellbeing: Positive culture, high morale, and strong retention.

Specific metrics will be set when in role and will be reviewed and built upon regularly. You will be supported with a personal performance plan to continue improving your performance and impact.

Attributes – experience and mindset:

• Experience: Proven frontline leadership experience, ideally in food manufacturing or FMCG.
• Ownership: Takes full responsibility for team output, safety, and quality; avoids blame and looks for ways to influence outcomes.
• Proactive: Acts early to resolve issues and improve team performance.
• Organised: Manages time and priorities in a fast-paced production environment and adheres to the 5S framework.
• Resilient: Remains focused and adaptable under pressure.
• Professional & Ethical: Acts with integrity and aligns with company values.

Science in Sport Group is an equal opportunity employer; we value diversity and strive to cultivate an inclusive workplace. We do not tolerate discrimination of any kind in regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We fully support reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process, to provide an inclusive and welcoming recruitment experience.