Production Manager – Bridgwater, Somerset
Location: Bridgwater, Somerset, England, United Kingdom.
Posted: 1 day ago.
Working hours: Monday – Thursday 8:30am – 5pm, Fridays 8:30am – 4pm.
What’s in it for you?
* Competitive pay
* 12.5% annual bonus
* 7% employer pension contribution
* Personal healthcare cover with Bupa
* Life assurance
* 27 days holiday plus bank holidays
* Purchase extra holiday scheme
* Access to the employee benefits platform – Cheers, which includes flexible benefits such as additional healthcare cover, healthcare cash plan, dental insurance, car scheme, activities pass, financial services, will writing services, etc.
Responsibilities
* Oversee all aspects of production and ensure the highest standards of quality, safety, and compliance are consistently met.
* Manage and motivate a skilled team, optimizing production schedules and implementing continuous improvement initiatives to enhance productivity and reduce costs.
* Report on operational KPI’s, customer service, Health and Safety, and Quality standards to the Factory Manager.
* Lead the application of continuous improvement techniques, employee engagement, and the living of company values to deliver operational excellence across all factory production halls.
* Full accountability for managing the production budget, including labor and materials, and maintaining optimal Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) through regular reviews and collaborations with sales, forecasting, and planning teams.
* Develop and implement action plans to address KPI and QMS compliance, ensure SOPs are up‑to‑date, and maintain audit readiness.
* Manage staffing levels to meet demand and cost targets while inspiring and motivating the team to achieve their objectives.
* Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance OEE and yield, promote health and safety practices, and foster cross‑department collaboration.
* Contribute to site projects, define competency levels, develop training programs, conduct annual appraisals, and support Factory engagement programmes.
* Cover for the Factory Manager and ensure continuity in key roles during shifts.
About you
* Ideally Food Manufacturing Expertise: proven track record in the food production sector, with in‑depth knowledge of industry‑specific regulations (HACCP, GMP, food safety standards) and a strong understanding of food production processes.
* Leadership and Team Management: significant experience in managing and motivating large teams, including supervisory roles, focusing on performance management, training, and development.
* Production Planning and Control: expertise in production planning, scheduling, and inventory management, with a solid understanding of supply chain and logistics.
* Continuous Improvement: experience implementing Lean or Six Sigma methodologies to enhance operational efficiency, quality and productivity.
* Budget and Financial Management: strong financial acumen, with the ability to manage production budgets, monitor costs and work to cost reduction targets while maintaining quality and compliance.
* Health, Safety and Compliance: deep understanding of health and safety regulations in a manufacturing setting and experience ensuring compliance with legal and company standards.
* Problem Solving and Decision Making: proven ability to solve complex production issues quickly and effectively, ensuring minimal disruption to the production schedule.
* Communication and Stakeholder Management: strong communication skills to work with cross‑functional teams (sales, planning, quality assurance, etc.) and external suppliers or partners.
* Technology and Automation: familiarity with modern production technologies, including automated systems, PLCs and manufacturing software.
* Qualifications: relevant degree in food science, engineering or a related field is preferred, along with professional certifications in food safety or production management.
About Refresco
Refresco is the global independent beverage solutions provider for brands and retailers worldwide, with a presence in Europe, North America, and Australia. We offer an extensive range of product and packaging combinations from juices to carbonated soft drinks and mineral waters in carton, PET, aseptic PET, cans and glass. Refresco continually seeks new and alternative ways to improve the quality of its products and packaging, aligning with consumer trends, environmental responsibility and market demand.
With 13,500+ employees and 12 manufacturing plants across 12 countries, we produce 12 billion litres of soft drinks annually. Refresco has six manufacturing sites in the UK, providing a great workplace for over 1,800 employees who deliver private label soft drinks and fruit juices for leading retailers.
Regulatory compliance and sustainability underpin our operations. We are committed to equal opportunity for all and expect fairness and transparency throughout our recruitment process.
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