Location: Tonbridge, Kent
Salary: £14.07 per hour (Starting Rate) | £15.27 per hour (Fully Trained Rate)
Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Shift Pattern: 7:00am – 7:00pm
About the Company
Based in Tonbridge, Kent, our client is a well-established and highly respected business within the fresh produce industry. Supplying premium-quality products to customers across the UK, they have built a strong reputation for excellence, innovation, and customer service.
With a fast-paced and collaborative working environment, this is an excellent opportunity to join a growing organisation that values its people and offers genuine opportunities for development and progression.
The Opportunity
We are currently seeking an experienced and motivated Production Line Leader to join a busy fresh produce operation in Tonbridge.
This is an ideal opportunity for someone with experience within fresh produce, food manufacturing, FMCG, or packing environments who enjoys leading teams, driving performance, and maintaining exceptional quality standards.
As a Line Leader, you will play a key role in overseeing daily packing line operations, ensuring production targets are achieved while maintaining product quality, food safety, and operational efficiency.
Key Responsibilities
Team Leadership
- Lead, motivate, and support production and packing operatives throughout each shift.
- Manage staffing levels effectively to maximise line productivity and efficiency.
- Coach, train, and develop team members to achieve their full potential.
- Promote high standards of attendance, behaviour, and performance.
- Ensure all employees follow company procedures, hygiene requirements, and safe working practices.
- Foster a positive, professional, and productive working environment.
Production & Quality
- Manage packing lines to achieve daily production targets and customer requirements.
- Ensure all finished products meet customer specifications and quality standards.
- Conduct line set-ups, label checks, and pre-production inspections.
- Monitor line performance and workflow to maximise efficiency while minimising product damage.
- Reduce product and packaging waste wherever possible.
- Work closely with Planning, Warehouse, and Quality teams to ensure smooth operations.
- Ensure packaging materials, labels, and packing instructions are accurate at all times.
- Escalate production, quality, or operational issues promptly and effectively.
Health, Safety & Food Safety
- Maintain high standards of housekeeping and hygiene across the production area.
- Ensure compliance with PPE requirements, GMP, HACCP, and food safety procedures.
- Promote and maintain a strong “clean as you go” culture.
- Monitor safe working practices around machinery and production equipment.
- Report accidents, near misses, equipment breakdowns, and safety concerns immediately.
- Support site compliance with customer, food safety, and audit requirements.
Administration & Reporting
- Complete all production paperwork accurately and within required timescales.
- Record production output, downtime, staffing levels, and line performance data.
- Ensure all production records and checks are completed correctly.
- Update production systems and documentation as required.
- Support stock movement processes and packing instruction controls.
What We’re Looking For
The ideal candidate will have:
- Previous experience within fresh produce, food manufacturing, FMCG, or packing environments.
- Experience leading or supervising teams within a production, manufacturing, or warehouse setting.
- Strong communication, organisational, and leadership skills.
- The ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, target-driven environment.
- Excellent attention to detail and commitment to quality standards.
- A sound understanding of food safety, hygiene, and health & safety procedures.
- A positive, hands-on leadership style with the ability to motivate others.
- A flexible, reliable, and proactive approach to work.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Success in this role will be measured through:
- Production efficiency and output
- Product quality and customer compliance
- Waste reduction and operational improvement
- Audit and food safety performance
- Team productivity and engagement
- Accuracy of reporting and documentation
What’s in it for You?
- Permanent, full-time position
- Competitive hourly rate with progression to a fully trained salary
- Opportunity to join a growing and successful fresh produce business
- Supportive team environment
- Ongoing training and development opportunities
- Career progression within a fast-paced operation
Mission Resourcing is acting as a recruitment partner on behalf of our client. Due to the high volume of applications received, we are unable to provide individual feedback. If you have not heard from us within 15 working days, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.
To apply to this vacancy: Apply via the website or send an email with your CV to vicky@missionresourcing.co.uk