An ambitious, fast-growing food manufacturing business is seeking a dynamic and people-focused Production Manager to lead a large, high-performing production team through an exciting phase of growth and continuous improvement.
This is a career-defining opportunity for an experienced Production Manager who thrives in fast-paced environments and wants to make a real impact. With strong backing from senior leadership, ongoing investment in people and systems, and a genuine commitment to operational excellence, this role offers both stability and long-term progression.
The Opportunity
The successful Production Manager will take full ownership of daily operations within a high-volume production environment, leading up to 100 colleagues and driving world-class standards across safety, quality, food safety, efficiency and team development.
This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who enjoys being visible on the shop floor, setting the standard and inspiring teams to perform at their best.
Key Responsibilities
* Create and sustain a zero-harm safety culture, ensuring safe systems of work and strong behavioural safety standards
* Deliver all manufacturing KPIs across output, quality, waste, service and efficiency
* Lead the implementation and embedding of LEAN manufacturing, developing continuous improvement as a way of life
* Ensure the site operates to best-in-class food safety and GMP standards, remaining audit-ready at all times
* Drive quality excellence, ensuring products consistently meet agreed specifications and customer expectations
* Lead the introduction of new products, managing trials and ensuring successful launches
* Champion process and equipment improvement, working closely with Engineering to develop a robust TPM strategy
* Maintain outstanding service levels, consistently exceeding 99%
* Control material variance, driving waste and cost as close to zero as possible
* Develop a high-performance team culture through clear standards, structure, appraisals and ongoing coaching
* Play a key role in broader operational excellence and leadership programmes
* Ensure full compliance with all Health & Safety, Food Safety, Legal and Quality obligations
The Person
This business is looking for a confident, ambitious and data-driven leader who combines strong people skills with a passion for operational excellence.
Key attributes include:
* Natural, credible leadership style with the ability to inspire large teams
* High energy and a strong personal drive
* A continuous improvement mindset with the confidence to challenge the status quo
* Strong decision-making based on data and performance metrics
* Commercially and financially aware
* Comfortable operating at all levels of the business
* A genuine passion for food manufacturing and quality
Key skills and experience:
* Proven experience leading production in a high-volume manufacturing environment
* Strong working knowledge of LEAN / CI methodologies
* Excellent analytical and problem-solving capability
* Experience of driving operational improvement through structured project delivery
* Sound understanding of food safety, GMP and quality systems
* Strong coaching, influencing and stakeholder management skills
* Comfortable working cross-functionally with Planning, Engineering, Technical and Supply Chain
Why This Role?
* Up to £55,000 salary plus 10% guaranteed bonus
* Long-term career progression within a growing and well-invested operation
* A leadership role where decisions genuinely influence performance and culture
* A business that backs its people, invests in development and promotes from within
* A strong, values-driven culture where quality, safety and people genuinely come first
* The chance to lead at scale and shape a best-in-class manufacturing operation