Manufacturing Manager
Blackwood, South Wales
£65,000 - £75,000 + Bonus + Enhanced Pension + Private Healthcare + Life Insurance
Full Time | Permanent
Monday – Friday | 08:30 – 17:00
A fantastic opportunity has arisen for an experienced Manufacturing Manager to join a highly successful, internationally operating FMCG manufacturer in South Wales. This business has built a reputation for operational excellence, innovation, and investment in both technology and people, providing a modern and fast-paced manufacturing environment.
This is more than a Manufacturing Manager position. The role is strategically earmarked as part of the succession plan for a future Operations Director appointment, making it an excellent opportunity for an ambitious manufacturing leader looking to take the next step towards senior executive leadership.
The Role
Reporting into the Manufacturing Director, you will take full responsibility for leading a large-scale manufacturing operation, managing a team of approximately 75 employees through Production Shift Managers, Team Leaders, and Supervisors.
You will be responsible for driving performance across safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and continuous improvement while developing the operational strategy required to support future business growth.
Key responsibilities include:
* Leading and developing the manufacturing function to achieve operational excellence.
* Driving a culture of continuous improvement, lean manufacturing, and employee engagement.
* Delivering production targets while maintaining the highest standards of quality and safety.
* Identifying and implementing process improvements to increase efficiency and reduce costs.
* Working cross-functionally to support wider business objectives and operational initiatives.
* Managing organisational change and embedding best practice throughout the manufacturing operation.
* Monitoring and communicating KPIs, objectives, and business performance across teams.
* Supporting energy management and sustainability objectives through effective resource planning and operational control.
* Developing succession plans and building leadership capability within the manufacturing team.
The Candidate
We are seeking an ambitious and commercially minded manufacturing leader with a proven track record of leading complex production environments and delivering measurable operational improvements.
You will ideally have:
* Degree qualification in an Engineering (preferably mechanical engineering).
* Previous experience leading a sizeable manufacturing or production operation.
* Experience within FMCG, food, beverage, packaging, automotive, or other high-volume manufacturing environments.
* Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement methodologies.
* Knowledge of operational excellence tools such as Six Sigma, OEE, TPM, 5S, Kaizen, SPC, and Kanban.
* Experience implementing cost-saving initiatives and process improvements.
* Proven ability to improve productivity, quality, and operational performance.
* Strong leadership, coaching, and stakeholder management skills.
What's On Offer?
* £65,000 - £75,000 basic salary.
* Performance-related bonus.
* Enhanced pension scheme.
* Private healthcare.
* Life insurance.
* Clear succession pathway towards an Operations Director position.
* The opportunity to join a growing international manufacturer with significant future investment plans