Paul Liddell

As a Shift Manager at Aston Manor’s Tiverton site, I am responsible for leading end-to-end operations across cider processing, packaging, and utilities during my shift. I ensure that production targets are achieved safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with food-safety, alcohol-production, and site-specific standards. I coordinate people, equipment, and materials across multiple departments, acting as the on-shift operational lead for all production activity. I manage and motivate a multi-disciplinary team—including packaging operatives, production staff, forklift drivers, and support personnel—to maintain consistent output, minimise downtime, and deliver product quality that meets customer and regulatory expectations. Through real-time decision-making, I address issues such as machine breakdowns, material shortages, quality deviations, and scheduling changes, ensuring the line continues to run smoothly. The role demands strong oversight of safety, hygiene, and compliance requirements specific to alcohol manufacturing. I ensure adherence to HMRC regulations, traceability systems, allergen controls, and line clean-down procedures, while maintaining audit readiness for BRC and customer visits. I actively monitor key performance indicators including OEE, efficiency, waste, throughput, and labour utilisation. Using Lean techniques and root-cause analysis, I lead continuous-improvement initiatives to optimise processes, improve changeovers, reduce wastage, and support the site’s operational improvement roadmap. As the senior person on shift, I provide hands-on leadership, strong communication, and a calm, structured approach to problem-solving—ensuring that production remains safe, compliant, and on schedule throughout the entire shift.

As Production Manager at Sharpak, I am responsible for leading extrusion operations within a high-volume plastics manufacturing environment, ensuring that all production lines run safely, efficiently, and to the highest quality standards. I oversee the end-to-end extrusion process, coordinating people, materials, and machinery to deliver consistent output that meets customer specifications and regulatory requirements. I manage a multi-skilled team across shifts, providing direction, training, and support to maintain optimal machine performance, minimise downtime, and maximise throughput. My role involves planning production schedules, monitoring KPIs, and ensuring that extrusion parameters, resin blends, temperatures, and line settings are controlled and verified to maintain product integrity and material efficiency. Working closely with engineering, quality, maintenance, and planning teams, I support continuous improvement initiatives aimed at reducing waste, increasing OEE, improving changeover times, and enhancing overall process stability. I lead root-cause investigations for quality or downtime issues, drive corrective actions, and implement best practice across all extrusion lines. I am accountable for compliance with safety, environmental, and industry standards, ensuring the correct handling of polymers and additives, maintaining auditable records, and reinforcing a safe working culture. By balancing technical knowledge with strong leadership and operational oversight, I ensure that Sharpak’s extrusion operations run reliably, cost-effectively, and with a commitment to consistent product quality.

As a Line Manager at Vion within the red-meat processing sector, I am responsible for the day-to-day leadership, performance, and compliance of high-volume production lines in a fast-paced, strictly regulated environment. I oversee the safe, efficient, and consistent processing of red-meat products, ensuring all operational, quality, and hygiene standards are maintained to the highest level. My role involves coordinating and motivating a cross-functional team to achieve production targets, minimise downtime, and uphold Vion’s commitment to food safety, customer satisfaction, and operational excellence. I manage labour planning, workflow optimisation, staff training, and performance reviews, ensuring the right skills and resources are in place across all shifts. I am accountable for monitoring KPIs—including throughput, yield, giveaway, labour efficiency, waste levels, and line performance—while driving continuous improvement through Lean and root-cause problem-solving. I work closely with technical, engineering, planning, and health-and-safety teams to maintain audit readiness, quickly resolve issues, and implement process improvements. With strong knowledge of red-meat processing, animal-by-product regulations, traceability requirements, and retailer standards, I ensure full compliance with legislation, company policies, and customer specifications. I lead by example on safety culture, welfare considerations, and operational discipline, ensuring the team remains focused, engaged, and aligned to daily production goals.