Fig & Willow is seeking an organised, hands-on Production Manager to lead the planning, coordination, and continuous improvement of our production operations. This is an important leadership role for an experienced manager who can balance quality, efficiency, cost control, and people development in a fast-paced environment.
You will oversee day-to-day production activity, ensuring products are delivered safely, on time, to specification, and in line with company standards. Working closely with supply chain, quality, engineering, commercial, and warehouse teams, you will play a central role in improving performance and supporting sustainable growth.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead daily production operations, ensuring output targets, quality standards, and delivery commitments are consistently achieved.
- Develop and manage production plans in line with customer demand, stock requirements, capacity, and resource availability.
- Manage, coach, and develop production supervisors and team members, creating a positive, accountable, and high-performing culture.
- Monitor key performance indicators including productivity, waste, downtime, quality, labour efficiency, and on-time delivery.
- Identify operational constraints and implement practical solutions to improve throughput, reduce waste, and optimise costs.
- Ensure production activities comply with health and safety requirements, quality procedures, and relevant operational standards.
- Work closely with quality and technical teams to investigate non-conformances, customer concerns, and recurring production issues.
- Maintain accurate production records, shift reports, staffing plans, and performance data.
- Support the effective maintenance and use of equipment, coordinating with engineering teams to minimise disruption and downtime.
- Lead continuous-improvement initiatives using structured problem-solving and lean manufacturing principles.
- Manage labour and consumable budgets, ensuring resources are used efficiently and responsibly.
- Collaborate with supply chain and warehouse teams to maintain appropriate material availability and inventory control.
- Support new product introductions, process changes, and operational projects from planning through implementation.
- Report production performance, risks, and improvement opportunities to senior leadership.
About You
- Proven experience in a Production Manager, Manufacturing Manager, Operations Manager, or similar leadership role.
- Experience managing teams within a production, manufacturing, fulfilment, or operational environment.
- Strong understanding of production planning, quality management, health and safety, and cost control.
- Demonstrable experience improving operational performance, reducing waste, and increasing productivity.
- A practical, data-led approach to problem-solving and decision-making.
- Confident people-management skills, with the ability to motivate teams and set clear expectations.
- Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities under pressure.
- Strong communication and stakeholder-management skills.
- Familiarity with lean, continuous improvement, Six Sigma, or similar operational methodologies is desirable.
- Relevant technical, manufacturing, engineering, or operations qualification is advantageous.
Benefits
Competitive salary and performance-related bonus opportunity.
- Pension contributions and life assurance.
- Private healthcare and wellbeing support.
- Generous annual leave, including additional paid time off for key life events.
- Flexible working arrangements where operationally possible.
- Employee assistance programme and confidential wellbeing support.
- Ongoing learning, leadership development, and support for relevant professional qualifications.
- Staff discounts on Fig & Willow products.
- A collaborative, inclusive workplace with genuine opportunities to influence how we grow and improve.
Fig & Willow is committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and able to contribute. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds.
If you are an experienced production leader who enjoys developing people, improving processes, and delivering excellent operational results, we would love to hear from you.
Pay: £55,000.00-£58,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Bereavement leave
- Canteen
- Company events
- Company pension
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
- Paid volunteer time
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
