Production Manager Sector: Food Manufacturing Location: Colchester, Essex Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent Salary: Competitive – to be discussed Working Hours: Monday to Friday - 06:00 to 17:00 iSQ Recruitment are delighted to be supporting a growing food manufacturing business in Essex with their search for an experienced Production Manager. The company is known for producing high-quality, award-winning snacking products, supplying major retailers and foodservice customers across the UK. Think sustainability, authenticity, innovation, and investment into modern production methods, whilst maintaining their traditional values. Reporting to the Head of Operations, you will lead a small Production team to ensure a safe, efficient, and hygienic operation, delivering consistently high-quality products while supporting key food safety, authenticity, and quality objectives across the site. Please note: Visa sponsorship is not available. Applicants must have full Right to Work in the UK, relevant experience, and a full UK driving licence with access to their own vehicle. Benefits Competitive salary. Pension scheme (3% Employer / 5% Employee). 25 days annual leave plus 8 Bank Holidays. Generous staff discounts on company products. Company Bonus Scheme (from Year 2). Key Responsibilities Lead and manage day-to-day production operations to ensure output targets are met on time, in full, and to the highest quality standards. Promote and maintain a strong culture of health & safety, food safety, hygiene, and BRC compliance across the site. Plan, manage, and continuously review production schedules, staffing levels, and labour deployment to meet business and customer demands. Minimise downtime, waste, and inefficiencies by monitoring performance, investigating issues, and driving continuous improvement initiatives. Recruit, train, coach, and develop the Production team to build a skilled, motivated, and high-performing workforce. Support site projects including process optimisation and automation, working closely with the Head of Operations to improve efficiency and reduce waste. Essential Criteria & Experience Proven experience in a Production Management or Supervisory role within food manufacturing. Strong background in production planning and scheduling. Experience working to BRC standards and supporting audits. Comfortable operating in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment. Strong communication skills with the ability to interpret written and numerical data. Hands-on, visible leader with a passion for quality, safety, and continuous improvement. Adaptable and flexible, with the ability to support a growing and evolving operation. Full UK driving licence and access to own vehicle. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a growing food manufacturer where people are valued, decisions are made locally, and quality and sustainability sit at the heart of the business. Click to apply now for this Production Manager vacancy, or submit your CV to lana@isqrecruitment.co.uk or call 01603 369500 for more information.