Production Manager

The Role.

To oversee all Production department activities to deliver the daily and weekly Production Plan efficiently, safely, and to the highest quality standards. Drive productivity, cost efficiency, and continuous improvement initiatives while ensuring strong leadership across the production team. Champion a Lean Manufacturing culture to enhance performance and customer satisfaction, whilst working collaboratively with other department managers to achieve company-wide goals.

The Responsibilities.

• Lead, manage, and develop the production leadership team, including Shift Managers, Supervisors, and Training Officers, ensuring alignment with departmental and business goals.
• Work with planning and Engineering to create daily production schedules to meet customer demand, whilst maximizing efficiency.
• Based on the Production Plan, set daily targets for output and cost, ensuring performance is tracked and corrective actions are taken when required.
• Ensure budgeted labour targets are achieved and address variances through corrective action.
• Monitor and improve line efficiency, changeovers, and yields, collaborating with Engineering on improvement initiatives.
• Ensure production processes comply with Health & Safety, Quality, Hygiene, and relevant standards, including ISO9001, ISO22716, ISO14001, ISO45001, COMOS, and FDA.
• Embed and promote Lean Manufacturing techniques, driving waste reduction, process standardisation, and continuous improvement.
• Lead departmental resourcing decisions, ensuring staffing levels and skill mix meet operational needs.
• Oversee onboarding, training, and development of production staff, ensuring accurate training records are maintained.
• Oversee daily production meetings, reporting on KPIs, yields, quality incidents, and operational challenges.
• Collaborate proactively with other department managers (e.g., Engineering, Quality, Planning, Warehouse) to resolve cross-functional issues and improve business performance.
• Provide operational insight, project support, and cover for the Operations Manager as required.
• Ensure readiness for audits and regulatory inspections, maintaining high compliance standards.
• Promote and uphold company values of Collaboration, Ambition, Expertise, Agility, and Integrity throughout the department.
• Perform other duties as required by the Operations Manager.

The Skills.

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in FMCG manufacturing (Chemical, food, pharmaceutical or personal care (preferred).
• Proven track record in leading multi-tier teams, including first-line managers.
• Strong knowledge and practical experience in Lean Manufacturing tools and techniques (e.g., 5S, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping).
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Computer literacy, including advanced Excel and Word reporting skills.
• Ability to build strong cross-departmental relationships and influence at all levels.

The Benefits.

• Additional leave
• Bereavement leave
• Company events
• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free parking
• Gym membership
• Health & wellbeing programme
• Life insurance
• Paid volunteer time
• Private medical insurance
• Sick pay

We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

Please note we do not except agencies.