Hands-On Factory Manager- Premium Food Manufacturing
Location: Oldham, Greater Manchester
Salary: £40,000
Hours: Monday to Friday
About Us:
Grandpa Greene's Luxury Ice Cream is an award-winning, family-owned manufacturer producing premium ice cream for restaurants, hotels, cafés, sports venues and wholesale customers across the UK.
We are looking for an exceptional Hands-On Factory Manager to take full responsibility for the day-to-day management & running of our manufacturing site. Existing food Factory management experience essential.
This is not a traditional office-based management role. We are a small, ambitious manufacturing business with high production output, and we're looking for someone who enjoys leading from the front and working alongside the production team.
The Role:
You will have full responsibility for the operation and performance of our Oldham manufacturing site.
Managing a small production team, you will ensure production runs efficiently, customer orders are fulfilled on time, stock is well managed, food safety standards are maintained and the factory continues to improve.
Around 1 day each week will be dedicated to administration, planning, purchasing, forecasting and continuous improvement. The remaining four days will be spent leading production on the factory floor and supporting the team.
Key Responsibilities:
Site Management
- Full responsibility for the day-to-day running of the manufacturing site.
- Lead and develop a small production team.
- Create a positive, organised and high-performing working environment.
- Drive continuous improvement across all factory operations.
- Manage & improve costs.
Production
- Lead and actively participate in daily production.
- Plan weekly production schedules.
- Ensure production targets and deadlines are achieved.
- Monitor quality throughout the manufacturing process.
- Set up and oversee production equipment.
- Troubleshoot production issues quickly and effectively.
Stock & Purchasing
- Manage stock control across ingredients, packaging and finished goods.
- Purchase ingredients and packaging from UK and international suppliers.
- Forecast future stock requirements.
- Organise freezer stock and warehouse movements.
- Ensure accurate stock records are maintained.
Goods Out
- Oversee dispatch and customer order fulfilment.
- Ensure orders leave accurately, on time and to the required quality standards.
- Coordinate finished stock ready for delivery.
Food Safety & Compliance
- Maintain SALSA standards across the factory.
- Ensure HACCP and food safety procedures are followed.
- Keep factory documentation accurate and audit-ready.
- Maintain cleaning schedules and compliance records.
- Drive continuous improvement in factory systems and procedures.
Administration
- Manage the factory email inbox.
- Check supplier invoices and resolve invoice queries.
- Maintain supplier records.
- File compliance documentation.
- Update factory notice boards.
- Maintain staff training and personnel records.
- Complete production and management reporting.
About You
You'll have experience within food manufacturing, dairy, bakery, desserts or chilled food production.
You will:
- Be a hands-on leader who enjoys working on the factory floor.
- Lead by example and support your team every day.
- Have experience managing production within a food manufacturing environment.
- Be highly organised with excellent planning skills.
- Have experience with stock control and purchasing.
- Be confident managing food safety and quality systems.
- Enjoy training and developing people.
- Take ownership of problems and find practical solutions.
- Have a strong eye for detail and high standards.
What We're Looking For
We don't want someone who wants to manage from behind a desk.
We're looking for someone who enjoys rolling up their sleeves, getting involved in production, supporting colleagues and taking pride in producing exceptional products.
This role offers genuine autonomy and the opportunity to play a key part in the future growth of Grandpa Greene's Luxury Ice Cream Limited.
If you're looking for a role where you can make a real impact and take ownership of an entire manufacturing operation, we'd love to hear from you. You will report only to the company directors.
Essential Requirements
To be considered for this role, you must have:
- Previous experience as a Factory Manager, Production Manager or Manufacturing Manager within a food manufacturing environment.
- Full understanding of SALSA and all corresponding compliance.
- Experience leading and developing production teams.
- Experience with production planning, stock control and purchasing.
- Strong understanding of food safety, HACCP and quality management systems.
- Excellent organisational and problem-solving skills.
- A proactive, hands-on approach with the ability to lead by example.
Please note: This is not a trainee or stepping-up position. Applicants must have previous factory management experience within food manufacturing.
Pay: £40,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Canteen
- Casual dress
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Private medical insurance
Work Location: In person
