Job purpose
The Production Manager is responsible for leading and managing the low-risk production area within a raw meat processing environment. The role ensures the effective day-to-day running of production lines, delivering against volume, yield, efficiency, and quality targets while maintaining full compliance with health & safety, food safety, hygiene, and traceability regulations.
This is a hands-on leadership role, accountable for team performance, output quality, and continuous improvement in a chilled, fast-paced, and hygiene-sensitive setting.
General Responsibilities
* Take full accountability for the day-to-day running of the low-risk production area, including production output, line efficiency, staffing, and performance.
* Ensure all production is completed in line with planned schedules, meeting agreed volumes, specifications, and quality standards.
* Manage and monitor team deployment to maximise labour efficiency, including shift and break planning, line balancing, and task allocation.
* Ensure all products meet defined quality and safety standards and are produced in line with customer requirements and internal specifications.
* Maintain strict adherence to hygiene procedures, food safety protocols, allergen control, and low-risk area controls (e.g. raw meat handling and segregation).
* Guarantee full traceability and labelling accuracy, ensuring every product can be traced back through the production process.
* Identify and address potential production issues in real time, including raw material shortages, equipment faults, and process bottlenecks.
* Ensure waste and yield targets are met, actively managing giveaway, trimming loss, and downtime reduction.
* Lead by example to promote high standards of behaviour, attendance, hygiene, and discipline within the team.
* Complete and maintain accurate production and quality records in accordance with site procedures and audit requirements.
* Ensure compliance with health and safety policies and procedures, working with the HSE Lead to risk assess and address unsafe practices.
* Support training, coaching, and development of team members to improve capability, flexibility, and performance across the production area, meeting with the Operations Training Coordinator on a monthly basis to assess and plan training initiatives and maintain compliance.
* Work closely with Technical, Engineering, and Planning teams to ensure seamless operation and resolution of issues.
* Champion continuous improvement initiatives to enhance production efficiency, reduce cost, and increase overall performance.
* Remain flexible and responsive to changing production demands, shift requirements, or customer priorities.
* Any other tasks as deemed appropriate to the position and aligned with organizational needs
Additional Management Responsibilities
* Be fully responsible for maintaining a safe, harmonious, and productive working environment within the boundaries and budgetary targets as defined by your line manager.
* Establish, lead, inspire, and develop a successful team to consistently deliver daily operational objectives that meet or exceed business and customer expectations.
* Understand and actively apply the principles of current Health & Safety legislation and company procedures, ensuring compliance and promoting safe working practices at all times through proactive application of accident prevention mechanisms.
* Understand and actively apply the principles of current Food Safety legislation and company policies to all aspects of the manufacturing process.
* Maintain a thorough understanding of relevant products, processes, and specifications, ensuring consistent application to strike the right balance between meeting agreed quality standards and maximising yield opportunities.
* Be fully aware of agreed business targets regarding customer service levels and quality measures and ensure that plan attainment supports achievement of these KPIs.
Deliver project-based milestones on time, supporting business development and continuous improvement projects.
* Maintain the manufacturing cost base within agreed budgetary tolerances.
* Maintain a safe and productive work environment across the department that fosters collaborative employee involvement, encouraging ideas and participation whilst ensuring compliance with the company's procedural expectations.
Skills / Competencies / Behaviours
Effective leadership in managing chilled raw meat production teams to meet operational goals.
Clear, consistent communication with all levels to ensure smooth operations.
Strong organisational skills, adapting plans to changing production needs.
Deep knowledge and consistent application of food safety, hygiene, and traceability standards.
A results-driven approach, reliably meeting output, quality, and efficiency targets.
Ability to analyse data to identify issues and drive improvements.
Attention to detail and commitment to compliance and quality.
Proactive commitment to health and safety and accident prevention.
Flexibility and problem-solving in a dynamic environment.
Focus on developing and coaching team members.
Accountability for performance and continuous improvement.
Collaborative working with cross-functional teams to achieve business goals.