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People managementProcess safety managementManufacturing operationsLeadershipSafety compliance
Requirements
Candidates must possess a technical qualification such as an HND or ONC, or equivalent experience within chemical manufacturing. Additionally, the role requires specific certifications including the Level 4 Process Leader Apprenticeship and IOSH Managing Safety.
Job Description
First Line Manager
Application Deadline: 1 October 2026
Department: Operations
Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time
Location: Wyke
Reporting To: Operations Leader
Description
Our Business
px PEOPLE, their commitment to excellence, innovation and teamwork, are the reason for px Group’s continuing growth and success story. We aim to be the elite provider of operations management, engineering services and energy management solutions in high hazard, highly regulated industries nationally and as we grow, across Europe and globally. For more information visit www.pxlimited.com
Located in Bradford, West Yorkshire, the Wyke Agrichemicals Manufacturing Plant is operated by px Group in partnership with Nufarm. The site is one of the UK's leading crop protection manufacturing facilities, manufacturing crop protection products for Nufarm that support farmers and growers around the world.
Wyke is a Top Tier COMAH site, operating a complex chemical manufacturing environment where safety, reliability and operational excellence are fundamental to everything we do. With a skilled workforce across manufacturing, engineering, laboratory, supply chain and support functions, the site offers the opportunity to work alongside experienced professionals in a highly technical environment
The Opportunity
We are now recruiting for a First Line Manager.
As a First Line Manager, you will play a critical role in delivering safe and reliable production by leading shift operations within your production area. You will manage day-to-day manufacturing activities, make operational decisions within your remit, and lead a team of operators to deliver the short-term production plan while meeting quality, safety and environmental standards
You’ll be supported with personalised on the job training, coaching, mentoring and twice-yearly development and performance reviews to help maintain & develop your contributions and competence.
px PEOPLE, their commitment to excellence, innovation and teamwork, are the reason for px Group’s continuing growth and success story. We aim to be the elite provider of operations management, engineering services and energy management solutions in high hazard, highly regulated industries nationally and as we grow, across Europe and globally. For more information visit www.pxlimited.com
Located in Bradford, West Yorkshire, the Wyke Agrichemicals Manufacturing Plant is operated by px Group in partnership with Nufarm. The site is one of the UK's leading crop protection manufacturing facilities, manufacturing crop protection products for Nufarm that support farmers and growers around the world.
Wyke is a Top Tier COMAH site, operating a complex chemical manufacturing environment where safety, reliability and operational excellence are fundamental to everything we do. With a skilled workforce across manufacturing, engineering, laboratory, supply chain and support functions, the site offers the opportunity to work alongside experienced professionals in a highly technical environment
The Opportunity
We are now recruiting for a First Line Manager.
As a First Line Manager, you will play a critical role in delivering safe and reliable production by leading shift operations within your production area. You will manage day-to-day manufacturing activities, make operational decisions within your remit, and lead a team of operators to deliver the short-term production plan while meeting quality, safety and environmental standards
You’ll be supported with personalised on the job training, coaching, mentoring and twice-yearly development and performance reviews to help maintain & develop your contributions and competence.
Key Responsibilities
- Sustain high level of personal SHE awareness in the Plant operating teams to ensure compliance with safety, health and environmental regulations at all times; complies with all Process Safety Management related procedures and established work methods, reporting all process safety incidents or hazards and contributing to incident investigations.
- Ensure that all products required are produced to manufacturing plan to the required quality and that the best use is made of all resources in achieving the plan.
- Responsible for the people management and leadership of a group of Operators, including recruitment, training (including validation of competence), development and motivation with the aim of continuously improving performance with regards to productivity and safety, health and environment issues.
- Ensure that all operations are carried out according to standard operating procedures.
- In the event of a site incident, undertake duties required as directed by the Works Incident Controller, as part of the Emergency Response Team.
- Emergency situations will require an element of ‘freedom to act’ within the role to bring a situation under control, however in all circumstances the individual will not divert from company procedures and key risk control systems.
- Participate in safety audits, HAZOP's, COSHH and risk assessments. Participate in safety investigations and reporting processes as required.
- Liaise with maintenance dept.to organise and prioritise plant repairs and planned maintenance, and ensure that they are carried out effectively to minimise production downtime, within area of responsibility; participate in the instigation of plant mods and process mods.
- Preparation of plant and permitry prior to any planned engineering work, hot work or vessel entry.
- Maintenance of accurate plant raw material and product inventory by means of timely data input into ERP system.
- Liaise with supply chain to ensure sufficient raw materials are available to maintain production. Liaise, where required, with external suppliers out of normal hours.
- Work in conjunction with Plant Manager, Process Improvement Group and QC to identify and resolve plant quality problems, and to assist in the commissioning and introduction of new processes.
- Implement Company policies and disciplinary procedures and general terms and conditions of employment.
- Maintain a high standard of housekeeping in all relevant areas. Manage and maintain 5S area of responsibility.
- Ensure all process waste streams are minimised and disposed of in accordance with current Company procedures.
Minimum Requirements
- A technical qualification (HND/ONC) or equivalent work experience within Chemical Manufacturing
- Level 4 Process Leader Apprenticeship
- IOSH Managing Safety Programme
- Highfield Level 3 Award in Assessing Competence in the Workplace
- Highfield Level 3 Award in Delivering Training
What you will receive from us
28 days holiday plus bank holidays
A boosted pension scheme – we’ll match 1.25% to every 1% you pay (up to 8%)
Simply Health Cash Plan
Staff Meals
Onsite parking
We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.
Please note this role may close early or be extended depending on the volume of applications.
A boosted pension scheme – we’ll match 1.25% to every 1% you pay (up to 8%)
Simply Health Cash Plan
Staff Meals
Onsite parking
We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.
Please note this role may close early or be extended depending on the volume of applications.
Education
Professional Certificate
Skills
People managementProcess safety managementManufacturing operationsLeadershipSafety complianceIncident investigationOperational excellenceRisk assessmentPlant maintenanceInventory managementQuality controlTraining and developmentEmergency response5S methodologyChemical manufacturing