Senior Production Manager – Food Manufacturer
Location: Killinchy
We are supporting a well-established, high-volume food manufacturer in the recruitment of a Senior Production Manager to join their operations leadership team.
The Opportunity
This is a highly hands‑on role, with a strong emphasis on factory-floor leadership (circa 80% floor-based). The environment is fast-paced, labour-intensive and focused on short shelf‑life, quick turnaround products, supplying major retail and foodservice customers.
Role Overview
The Senior Production Manager will be responsible for the day‑to‑day leadership of production operations, ensuring safe, efficient and compliant manufacturing while delivering service, quality and cost targets. The role requires strong people leadership, operational discipline and a practical, sleeves-rolled-up approach.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead and manage daily production operations within a fast-paced, short shelf-life food manufacturing environment
* Maintain a strong and visible presence on the factory floor, providing hands‑on leadership and support
* Deliver production plans safely, on time and in full to meet customer and OTIF requirements
* Manage labour planning, crewing levels, agency usage, absence and overtime to control cost and efficiency
* Drive and maintain high standards of food safety, hygiene, GMP and compliance in line with BRC and customer standards
* Lead daily production meetings, shift handovers and on-the-floor problem solving
* Work closely with Engineering, Technical, Planning and Supply Chain teams to ensure smooth operational delivery
* Support internal and external audits, customer visits and inspections, ensuring ongoing audit readiness
* Monitor and improve KPIs including efficiency, yield, waste, labour cost, service and downtime
* Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives using a practical, floor-based approach
* Lead, coach and performance-manage Production Managers, Shift Managers and Supervisors
* Build a strong culture of accountability, engagement, safety and performance across production teams
Candidate Profile
* Proven experience in a senior production or operational leadership role within food manufacturing
* Background in fast-paced FMCG environments with short shelf-life products
* Strong hands‑on leadership style with significant factory-floor involvement
* Experience managing large, labour-intensive teams, including agency workforces
* Solid understanding of BRC standards, food safety, hygiene and compliance
* Confident decision-maker with strong problem-solving capability
* Excellent communication and people leadership skills
* Track record of driving operational performance through people, process and standards
What’s on Offer
* Competitive salary and benefits package
* A senior, hands‑on leadership role within a stable and growing food manufacturing business
* Opportunity to make a visible and meaningful impact on operational performance and culture
Seniority Level
Mid‑Senior level
Employment Type
Full-time
Job Function
Manufacturing
Industries
Food and Beverage Manufacturing
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