Front Line Leader

Premier Foods Plc; Stoke-on-Trent; On-site; GBP 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food manufacturer in Stoke-on-Trent is looking for a Front Line Leader. In this role, you will lead a team of operators, ensuring production lines run at optimal performance and are audit-ready. The ideal candidate has experience in a factory setting, strong leadership skills, and relevant certifications in food safety. The position offers a permanent contract with a competitive salary, focused on driving performance and maintaining high operational standards.

Qualifications

• Food Safety Level 3 and HACCP Level 3 certifications required.
• Practical knowledge of Continuous Improvement tools and techniques.
• Experience leading a team successfully in a factory environment.

Responsibilities

• Ensure that lines are running to the required performance ensuring OEE and Waste is at the right levels.
• Lead daily line briefings to all employees on every shift.
• Maintain communication boards, reviewing and sharing information with the team every shift.
• Manage colleague performance and attendance in line with site procedures.

Skills

Food Safety Level 3

HACCP Level 3

Practical knowledge of CI tools and techniques

Working knowledge of safety practices

Basic IT skills

Previous experience of leading a team

Previous experience or understanding of a factory environment

Experience in an FMGG environment

Basic financial acumen

Experience in cost control and manufacturing line efficiency

Job description

Date: 12 Jan 2026

Location: Stoke, GB

Based - Stoke on Trent, ST4 6PH

Permanent, Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week, 8am - 4.30pm

+ 80 Additional Hours to be worked across the year

Salary: £39,168 per annum

An opportunity has arisen for a Front Line Leader to join the team at our Stoke Bakery, where we make Mr Kipling!In this role you will lead a team of operators through the application of effective skills and behaviours contributing towards the achievement of the overall site strategy. You will be aware of and will focus on delivering all relevant KPI targets.

What you’ll be doing:

• Ensure that lines are running to the required performance ensuring OEE and Waste is at the right levels.
• Support the year on year reduction of Manufacturing Controllable Costs (MCC)
• FLL and Line/Area is always audit ready
• All relevant SOPs are update to date, in place and being adhered to
• Liaise with labour control to ensure correct number of people on plant/area/shift and offer up spares for other areas.
• Leading Daily Line briefings to all employees on every shift
• Maintaining communication boards, reviewing and sharing information with team every shift
• Immediately escalating issues, providing solutions where possible, to the correct relevant level of management
• Co-ordinating annual leave in line with production demands
• Performance Management of colleagues
• Be pro-active in attendance management in line with site procedures
• Deal with people issues such as investigations and disciplinaries

What we need from you:

• Food Safety Level 3 andHACCP Level 3
• Practical knowledge of CI tools and techniques
• Working knowledge of safety practices
• Basic IT skills
• Previous experience of leading a team
• Previous experience or understanding of a factory environment
• Experience in an FMGG environment
• Basic financial acumen
• Experience in cost control and manufacturing line efficiency

At Premier foods we believe in inclusion, authenticity and individuality. We aim to ensure all existing and future colleagues are given equitable opportunities and are respected, valued and encouraged to bring their true authentic selves to work no matter who they are, what they look like, who they love or what they believe in. Our culture is one where everyone is welcome.

We're proud to be a Disability Smart employer and are committed to supporting disability inclusion throughout our recruitment process. If you experience any access issues or require reasonable adjustments at any stage, please let us know so we can ensure you have the support you need.