As Production Manager, you will take ownership of the production process from planning and purchasing through to finished product.
Your key responsibilities will include:
- Managing the day-to-day production operation and a team of 15+ production employees.
- Ensuring all products are produced and packed to the highest standards of quality, consistency and presentation.
- Planning weekly production requirements in line with customer orders and business demand.
- Managing purchasing and supplier orders, ensuring raw materials, packaging and other production requirements are available when needed.
- Forecasting future requirements and maintaining appropriate stock levels.
- Taking responsibility for stock control, including raw materials, packaging and finished goods.
- Working closely with Production Supervisors and production staff to maximise efficiency and productivity.
- Monitoring production performance, identifying bottlenecks and implementing improvements.
- Reducing waste, downtime and production inefficiencies wherever possible.
- Maintaining and improving product quality and consistency.
- Taking responsibility for HACCP, food safety and quality control within the production environment.
- Ensuring production activities comply with all relevant food safety legislation and HACCP, BRCGS, SALSA and company standards.
- Ensuring production records, procedures and quality documentation are completed accurately.
- Investigating production or quality issues and implementing appropriate corrective actions.
- Leading, motivating and developing the production team, ensuring clear standards of performance and accountability.
- Working with suppliers to maintain quality, service and availability of materials.
- Providing weekly production and purchasing reports to senior management, including production performance, stock levels, purchasing requirements and key operational issues.
- Supporting the continued growth of the business through continuous improvement and operational development.
Purchasing & Stock Management
A key part of this role will be managing the purchasing requirements for the production operation.
You will be responsible for:
- Reviewing production requirements and upcoming customer demand.
- Forecasting raw material and packaging requirements.
- Placing and managing weekly supplier orders.
- Maintaining appropriate stock levels without unnecessary overstocking.
- Monitoring supplier performance, lead times and product availability.
- Identifying potential supply issues before they affect production.
- Working with suppliers to ensure materials meet the required quality standards and are delivered on time.
- Maintaining accurate purchasing and stock information.
Leadership & People Management
You will lead a team of 15+ production employees, working alongside Production Supervisors to ensure the team operates effectively.
You will be expected to:
- Set clear expectations and production standards.
- Motivate and support the production team.
- Monitor individual and team performance.
- Identify training and development requirements.
- Promote a strong culture of food safety, quality, efficiency and accountability.
- Deal confidently and fairly with day-to-day people and performance issues.
- Lead by example with a practical, hands-on approach.
Quality, Food Safety & Compliance
Food safety and product quality are fundamental to this position.
The Production Manager will ensure that production processes consistently meet the required standards, including:
- HACCP
- BRCGS
- SALSA
- Food safety legislation
- Company quality standards
- Customer requirements
You will play an active role in maintaining standards, identifying risks and driving improvements across the production environment.
About You
We are looking for an experienced food manufacturing professional who is confident managing both people and processes.
You will ideally have:
- A minimum of 3 years' experience in food manufacturing or FMCG, preferably in a Production Manager, Production Supervisor or similar management position.
- Proven experience managing a production team.
- Experience within a food production or packing environment.
- Strong practical knowledge of HACCP and food safety.
- Experience working with BRCGS, SALSA or equivalent food safety standards.
- Experience in purchasing, stock control and production planning.
- Strong organisational and forecasting skills.
- Excellent leadership and people-management abilities.
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
- A good understanding of production efficiency, waste reduction and continuous improvement.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively with production teams, suppliers and senior management.
- A proactive, hands-on approach and the ability to take ownership of responsibilities.
What We Are Looking For
The ideal candidate will be someone who doesn't simply manage production from an office.
We are looking for a hands-on Production Manager who is visible on the production floor, understands the challenges of day-to-day manufacturing and takes ownership of getting things done.
You will have the authority and responsibility to identify opportunities, solve problems and make improvements across production, purchasing and stock management.
What We Offer
- £45,000 - £50,000 per annum, depending on experience.
- Monday to Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm.
- Responsibility for a team of 15+ production staff.
- A key management position within an established and growing food business.
- Significant responsibility across production, purchasing and stock control.
- The opportunity to make a direct impact on efficiency, quality and business performance.
- A practical and collaborative working environment.
- The opportunity to develop and improve production systems and processes.
Pay: £45,000.00-£50,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
