Company Overview
Icestone Gelato is dedicated to delivering the ultimate dessert experience, offering an exceptional variety of handcrafted gelatos and desserts. Our unique recipes and commitment to quality make us a standout destination for any occasion, from casual treats to special celebrations.
Job Summary
We are seeking an experienced and highly organised Production Manager to manage the day to day production activities within our food manufacturing and warehouse operation in Bradford.
The Production Manager will be responsible for ensuring products are manufactured safely, efficiently and consistently while meeting required standards for food safety, quality, hygiene, productivity and customer service.
The successful candidate will provide strong leadership to the production team, maintain effective production planning and ensure that all employees follow company procedures, food safety requirements and health and safety standards.
Responsibilities
- Manage and oversee the daily operation of the food production facility.
- Plan production schedules according to customer orders, stock requirements and business priorities.
- Allocate staff and resources appropriately across production areas.
- Lead, supervise, motivate and develop production employees, team leaders and supervisors.
- Monitor employee attendance, punctuality, performance and productivity.
- Ensure all products are manufactured according to approved recipes, specifications and quality standards.
- Work closely with warehouse, purchasing, technical/quality and management teams to maintain an efficient flow of materials and finish products.
- Monitor raw material availability and communicate shortages or potential production delays.
- Minimize product waste, packaging waste, downtime and unnecessary production costs.
- Monitor production yields and investigate significant variances.
- Maintain accurate production, traceability, wastage and operational records.
- Ensure correct stock rotation procedures, including FIFO/FEFO where applicable.
- Report equipment faults promptly and coordinate maintenance requirements.
- Ensuring production activities comply with the company's food safety management system and HACCP procedures.
- Ensuring appropriate controls are followed for allergens and preventing cross-contamination.
- ensuring employees comply with personal hygiene, protective clothing and handwashing requirements.
- Ensuring correct product labelling, date coding, batch coding and traceability procedures are followed.
- Ensuring production areas are maintained in a clean, organized and audit-ready condition.
- Health & Safety
- Promote a strong health and safety culture throughout the production facility.
- Ensure employees follow company health and safety procedures and safety systems of work.
- Ensure appropriate PPE is worn and used correctly.
- Report and investigate accidents, incidents, hazards and near misses in accordance with company procedures.
- Ensure risk assessments and operational procedures are followed.
- Take appropriate action where unsafe working practices are identified.
- People management
- Provide clear instructions and daily production priorities to employees.
- Conduct team briefings and communicate operational requirements.
- Train employees and ensure appropriate training records are maintained.
- Monitor employee performance and address performance issues appropriately.
- Support recruitment and induction of new production employees.
- Ensure employees understand their responsibilities for food safety, quality, hygiene and health and safety.
- Promote teamwork, accountability and high standards of conduct within the production department.
- Escalate disciplinary, attendance or employee-relations matters to senior management where appropriate.
- Production Performance
The Production Manager will monitor key performance indicators, which may include:
- Production output
- Labour efficiency
- Production yield
- Waste levels
- Downtime
- Customer order fulfilment
- Quality issues and non-conformances
- Hygiene standards
- Health and safety performance
- Staff attendance and productivity
Regular production and performance information should be provided to senior management.
Skills & Experience
Essential:
- Previous supervisory or management experience within food manufacturing, food production or a similar FMCG environment.
- Strong understanding of food hygiene and food safety requirements.
- Experience managing production employees and workloads.
- Good organisational and production-planning skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Strong communication and leadership skills.
- Good problem-solving and decision-making ability.
- Ability to maintain accurate production records.
- Basic computer literacy and ability to use production or stock-management systems where required.
Desirable:
- HACCP training.
- Food Safety/Hygiene qualification.
- Health & Safety qualification or relevant training.
- Experience working within an audited food manufacturing environment.
- Experience with stock control, warehousing and traceability systems.
- Experience implementing continuous-improvement initiatives.
Personal Attributes
The successful candidate should be:
- Reliable and punctual.
- Highly organised.
- Confident managing and directing employees.
- Hands-on and willing to support the production team when required.
- Calm under pressure.
- Quality and safety focused.
- Able to identify problems and implement practical solutions.
- Comfortable taking responsibility and making operational decisions.
- Committed to maintaining high standards throughout the business.
Working Conditions
The role is based primarily within a food manufacturing and warehouse environment. The Production Manager may be required to work in chilled, ambient or other temperature-controlled areas depending on production requirements.
The position may involve standing and walking for extended periods and may require flexibility regarding working hours during busy production periods.
Pay: From £26,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
