First Line Manager

Location: Carlisle
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience
Job Type: Full Time
Contract Type: Permanent

Overview
NXT Recruitment is working in partnership with a well-established manufacturing business to recruit a Composite First Line Manager.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Team Leader, Supervisor, or First Line Manager to join a successful and continuously improving manufacturing operation. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading a production team, ensuring operational excellence across safety, quality, productivity, and people management while driving continuous improvement initiatives.

This role would suit a motivated manufacturing leader who enjoys developing teams, improving processes, and delivering operational performance in a fast-paced production environment.

Key Responsibilities

Lead, motivate, and develop a team of production operatives to achieve departmental objectives
Promote a strong health and safety culture, ensuring compliance with company policies and procedures
Manage daily production activities to meet customer requirements and production targets
Monitor and improve key performance indicators, including efficiency, quality, waste, and output
Conduct regular shop floor reviews and performance meetings
Drive continuous improvement initiatives and implement corrective actions where required
Carry out root cause analysis to identify and resolve recurring operational issues
Work collaboratively with Engineering, Quality, Planning, and HR teams to support business objectives
Ensure effective utilisation of labour, equipment, and resources
Monitor departmental costs and contribute to operational efficiencies
Maintain high standards of quality and ensure compliance with operational procedures
Support the development, coaching, and performance management of team members

Requirements

Previous experience as a Team Leader, Supervisor, or First Line Manager within a manufacturing environment
Strong leadership and people management skills
Proven ability to drive performance and achieve operational targets
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Strong organisational and problem-solving abilities
Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office applications
Ability to work effectively under pressure within a fast-paced manufacturing environment
Commitment to health and safety, quality, and continuous improvement

Desirable Skills

Experience within a continuous manufacturing or production environment
Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles and Continuous Improvement techniques
Understanding of Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and production performance metrics
Experience using ERP systems such as SAP

Benefits

Competitive salary dependent on experience
25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
Company pension scheme with enhanced employer contributions
Life assurance
Staff recognition schemes
Retail discount programme
Share incentive scheme
Supportive working environment with opportunities for career progression

Please contact Simon Kean at NXT Recruitment on 01228 812585 or Simon.Kean@NXTRecruitment.co.uk for more information.

NXT Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and an employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this role, you accept the terms of our Privacy Notice, which can be found on our website