Salaries and costs
Manufacturing pay in Bury ranges from £11 to £13 per hour for production operatives, with £13 to £16 common for FLT drivers with counterbalance or reach tickets. Skilled roles such as CNC setters and welders often sit between £15 and £20 per hour, with maintenance engineers from £40,000 to £50,000 depending on shifts. Permanent recruitment fees in the town usually fall between 12% and 20% of basic salary, with higher fees for scarce skills or senior hires. Temp agency charge rates vary by shift pattern, holiday scheme, and PPE needs, so recruiters will set margins after confirming pay rates, AWR status, and expected tenure.
Qualifications
Entry level roles look for solid numeracy, health and safety awareness, and a track record of punctual shifts. Many employers value NVQ Level 2 or Level 3 in Performing Manufacturing Operations or Engineering Operations. Counterbalance and reach forklift licences through RTITB or ITSSAR are widely requested, and overhead crane or slinging tickets add value. For technical posts, CNC programming knowledge across Fanuc, Siemens, or Heidenhain helps, with IOSH Managing Safely welcomed for supervisors who handle risk assessments and toolbox talks.
Regional or geographic variations
Bury’s position off the M66 gives quick access to the M60 and M62, which widens candidate catchments into Bolton, Rochdale, and North Manchester. The Metrolink into Bury Interchange helps with early and late shifts for non drivers, though night work often relies on car users. Employers near Pilsworth and Park 66 draw from Radcliffe, Whitefield, and Heywood, while engineering shops in Ramsbottom may recruit from the Rossendale valley. Recruiters factor these commuter links into interview and start planning.
Hiring challenges
The biggest pinch points in Bury are multiskilled maintenance engineers, experienced CNC programmers, and quality inspectors with CMM exposure. Retention on nights can be tricky where logistics and parcel hubs compete on pay. Recruiters counter this by setting clear rota patterns, highlighting overtime rules, and agreeing probation milestones, which helps reduce early churn. Where skills are short, employment firms may propose contract cover while running an executive search for the permanent hire.
Entry requirements
For production lines, agencies look for reliable attendance, manual handling confidence, and basic problem solving. Food sites may ask for Level 2 Food Hygiene and hairnets or beard snoods are standard. Engineering workshops expect the ability to read simple drawings, use gauges, and complete first off checks. A clean right to work file, two references, and a willingness to work shifts will speed up the start.
Roles and career paths
Recruiters in Bury place production operatives, assemblers, machine minders, packers, FLT drivers, and warehouse staff into temporary, permanent, and contract work. Progression routes include team leader, line setter, or quality technician for high performing operatives, and production planner or shift manager for those with scheduling or people skills. Technical paths run from CNC operator to programmer, then into toolmaking, methods engineering, or maintenance.
Seasonal trends or themes
Peaks hit before Christmas for FMCG and gift packaging, with spring and summer ramp ups for drinks, outdoor products, and seasonal promos. Agencies plan extra inductions before these surges, keeping a ready pool of jobseekers registered for short notice starts. Pay rates can nudge up during busy weeks, so businesses that lock in shift patterns early tend to secure stronger availability.
Local hiring challenges in Bury
Sites close to popular commuter routes see strong application flow, yet plants in harder to reach spots may face drop offs on late finishes. Weather can affect early shifts on hilly routes towards Ramsbottom. Recruitment consultants often schedule onsite registrations and buddy travel for first week starts to steady attendance. Where public transport is limited, staggered start times or site shuttles can help retention.
Key sectors and employers in the region
Bury has a mix of food production, packaging, plastics, print, precision engineering, and light assembly. Business parks around Pilsworth and Chamberhall house many of these plants, with additional workshops spread through Radcliffe and Tottington. Staffing agencies in the town work closely with local employers to match machine experience, HACCP awareness, and warehouse WMS knowledge, which keeps downtime low when new starters arrive.
Regulatory and compliance standards
Agencies managing manufacturing hires in Bury carry out right to work checks, reference verification, and, where needed, basic DBS for sensitive sites. Health and safety matters are central, with COSHH, PUWER, and manual handling training forming part of many inductions. ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 frameworks are common across engineering and production, so recruiters will share candidate competency notes that fit these systems.
Common job roles agencies recruit for in this area
Expect requests for production operatives, FLT drivers, machine operators, assemblers, CNC setters, welders, quality technicians, production planners, maintenance engineers, and shift managers. Employment firms can supply short term temps for peaks, fixed term contractors for projects, and permanent hires for core teams. Local recruiters understand line speeds, changeover times, and scrap reduction goals, so they match experience to the kit in use on site.
How to work with manufacturing recruitment agencies in Bury
Local employers usually brief on output targets, shift patterns, PPE, and induction steps. Agencies will advise on pay rates, recruitment fees, and likely lead times, then advertise, screen, and book site visits. Jobseekers can register with an agency, complete skills tests, and choose temporary, permanent, or contract work based on availability, location, and preferred shifts. Clear feedback after trial shifts helps agencies refine the shortlist fast.
Quick facts and frequently asked questions
What are typical pay rates for production operatives in Bury?
Most sites pay £11 to £13 per hour depending on shift and experience.
Do agencies in Bury handle both temporary and permanent hiring?
Yes, recruiters place temporary, permanent, and contract staff across shopfloor and technical roles.
What compliance checks should I expect before a start date?
Right to work, references, and any site specific training such as manual handling or food hygiene.
Can agencies supply night shift teams at short notice?
Yes, but availability is tighter on nights, so early booking helps secure full headcount.
How do I register with a manufacturing recruiter in Bury?
Contact a local agency, share your CV, licences, and shift preferences, then complete onboarding and right to work checks.