Lead Operative

Job Purpose

The Lead Operative is responsible for leading and coordinating shift activities to ensure the safe, efficient, and effective operation of the manufacturing process. The role provides day-to-day support of operational teams, ensuring production targets, quality standards, housekeeping requirements, and health, safety and environmental (SHE) standards are consistently achieved. The Lead Operative acts as deputy to the Site Supervisor when required and plays a key role in developing the capability of the operational team.

• Lead, motivate and support operational teams during the shift.
• Allocate daily tasks and resources to ensure production requirements are achieved.
• Monitor shift performance and adjust priorities as required to maintain operational efficiency.
• Provide clear communication to team members regarding production priorities, safety expectations and operational issues.
• Promote a positive team culture and foster employee engagement.

• Operate block plant and associated manufacturing equipment safely and efficiently.
• Ensure overall operational performance by covering breaks, annual leave and training.
• Monitor plant performance and identify opportunities to improve productivity, efficiency and quality.
• Ensure production plans are delivered in line with agreed schedules and customer requirements.
• Support troubleshooting and resolution of operational issues to minimise downtime.

• Demonstrate visible SHE leadership and promote a strong safety culture.
• Ensure full compliance with company Health, Safety and Environmental policies and procedures.
• Ensure adherence to all Life Saving Rules and critical risk controls.
• Conduct workplace inspections and behavioural safety observations.
• Report hazards, incidents and near misses promptly and support investigations where required.
• Stop any activity that presents an unsafe condition or behaviour.

• Complete and verify all required pre-start inspections on plant and equipment.
• Ensure defects are reported, recorded and addressed through the appropriate maintenance process.
• Maintain equipment in a clean and serviceable condition.
• Support preventative maintenance activities and planned shutdowns.

• Maintain high standards of housekeeping across all operational areas.
• Ensure work areas remain organised, clean and free from hazards.
• Promote ownership of workplace standards across the team.
• Drive continuous improvement in workplace organisation and efficiency.

• Train, coach and mentor operatives to develop competence and capability.
• Support induction and onboarding of new employees.
• Assist in maintaining training records and competency matrices.
• Promote cross-training to improve operational flexibility and succession planning.

• Monitor raw material, work-in-progress and finished goods stock levels.
• Ensure accurate reporting of production performance and operational data.
• Maintain records relating to production output, downtime, waste and quality.
• Escalate stock shortages, production risks and performance issues appropriately.

• Act as deputy for Site Supervisor during periods of absence.
• Support labour planning and resource allocation.
• Assist with operational meetings, performance reviews and improvement initiatives.
• Support implementation of site objectives, business plans and continuous improvement projects.
• Provide operational leadership and decision-making within delegated authority.

• Maintaining a safe working environment.
• Delivering production plans and performance targets.
• Ensuring product quality and compliance standards are achieved.
• Leading and developing operational teams.
• Maintaining high housekeeping and workplace standards.
• Ensuring accurate reporting and operational records.
• Supporting continuous improvement across the site.

• Experience with in a manufacturing, production or industrial environment.
• Proven ability to lead and coordinate teams.
• Str…