Are you a senior food manufacturing leader who thrives on turning operational ambition into measurable results?

We are seeking an experienced Production Manager to take full accountability for the performance of a complete factory unit, leading multi-shift teams and shaping the next stage of operational excellence.

This is a high-impact, senior leadership role where you will own production performance end to end, balancing safety, quality, cost, service, and people development in a fast-paced food and drink manufacturing environment.

You will be a visible leader on site, empowering your teams to deliver consistently while driving a culture of continuous improvement.

Role Overview

As Production Manager, you will be accountable for delivering the production plan safely, efficiently, and cost effectively across your designated factory unit.

You will lead performance across all shifts, ensuring operational KPIs are achieved and improved through strong frontline leadership, disciplined execution, and practical problem solving.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Owning and delivering site production KPIs, including OEE, plan attainment, labour efficiency, waste, yield, service levels, downtime, and labour cost.

• Leading, coaching, and developing Production Shift Managers and a Junior Process Engineer, building capable, engaged, and accountable teams.

• Driving a high-performance culture with clear expectations, visible leadership, and robust performance management.

• Championing continuous improvement, waste reduction, and standardised best practice across factory units.

• Managing labour budgets, staffing models, overtime, and agency usage—including planning effectively for seasonal peaks.

• Identifying and delivering cost-saving opportunities and providing operational input into capital investment decisions.

• Ensuring high standards of health, safety, GMP, and audit readiness throughout production operations.

• Partnering with planning teams to align capacity, demand, labour, and shift structures.

You will be measured on the outcomes that matter most to a modern food manufacturing operation:

• OEE and plan attainment

• Labour cost percentage

• Waste reduction

• Health and safety performance

• Downtime reduction

• Staff turnover and engagement

Skills & Experience

We are keen to hear from proven operations or production leaders from food manufacturing who can combine strategic thinking with hands-on, people-first leadership.

Essential experience:

• Significant experience in an operations or production leadership role within food manufacturing.

• Strong understanding of food production environments, GMP, and health and safety requirements.

• Experience managing large teams across multiple shifts.

• A demonstrated ability to build high-performing teams through coaching, development, and clear accountability.

• A track record of delivering operational KPIs and leading continuous improvement initiatives through to tangible results.

Desirable experience:

• IOSH or NEBOSH qualification.

• Lean or continuous improvement qualifications.

• Experience of automated production environments and supporting future investment discussions.

The leader we need

You will bring a strong leadership presence, sound commercial judgement, and the resilience to make clear decisions under pressure. You will be data-driven and analytical, but equally able to engage, inspire, and develop people at every level of the operation.

If you are ready to take ownership of a full factory operation and make a lasting difference through people, performance, and continuous improvement, we would love to hear from you.

How to apply

Please get in touch to find out more infomation on this amazing opportunity or apply with your CV today.