The Line Leader is the junior manager within the business. They are the first line managers who have the day-to-day control of all the staff on the shop floor. It is a very responsible job as they are the face that represents Farne to all the new and existing people that we employ.

A Line leader’s day begins with coming in early to make sure that everything is set-up ready for their staff to come in and begin work seamlessly. This will involve making sure the equipment is all operational, fish is available and to specification for the start-up and product packaging is there on time and correct. Within the Added Value department (known locally as AVF), the Line Leader will have to also liaise with the “kitchen” in the department which makes up all the mixes and fillings for the delicatessen type products produced. All of these things will be planned the day before by the line leader to ensure as little lost time as possible.

Once the day is up and running it is a case of constant measurement. Do they have enough staff to do the orders? Do they have enough fish to do the orders? In AVF, Is there enough ingredients to make mixes and fills. The line leader and key operatives check the product quality versus the specification. Working in conjunction with the
Q C staff (Quality control), it is important to check the product pack weights to control giveaway, but still achieve the declared weight of pack. Ensuring the productivity levels of the staff that they have are performing to standard by monitoring and feedback to the operatives. These jobs go on all through the shift and will also involve liasing with the technical and engineering department when relevant issues occur. Another part of the day is to attend the departmental meeting which reviews the previous day’s performance and any up and coming issues. Additionally, there may be factory trials where the Line leader controls and monitors new products trials, looking at yield and output, alongside the development technologist. Line leaders would be expected to also attend, by rota, the weekly taste panel to look at the quality of the product alongside technical, sales, QC and product development collegues.

Once the day is done the Line leader will complete the day’s paperwork and hand it in to the relevant department. They will then start planning for the next days shift.

This is another area of Farne were progression is welcomed and encouraged, whether it is in the same department or other departments within the factory.