Manufacturing Team Manager

This role is available on a 12 month FTC to cover parental leave. The shift pattern is Double Days 06:00-14:00, 14:00-10:00, Monday-Friday with occasional weekends Site introduction:

Our Carlisle site is proudly recognised as the oldest biscuit factory in the world, established in 1831. With a workforce of over 980 people it plays a vital role in our heritage and production capabilities. The site manufactures a range of products including Carr’s, and Jacobs. Operating 9 ovens and 19 packing lines, Carlisle processes an impressive 42,000 tonnes of flour annually.

Conveniently situated near Carlisle Train Station, the site remains a cornerstone of British biscuit-making tradition.

Our Carlisle site holds a special place in biscuit-making history, proudly recognised as the oldest biscuit factory in the world, dating back to 1831. Today, it’s powered by a dedicated team of over 980 colleagues, each playing a vital role in shaping our heritage and driving our production capabilities forward. Home to beloved brands like Carr’s and Jacobs, the site operates 9 ovens and 19 packing lines, processing an incredible 42,000 tonnes of flour every year.

Conveniently located near Carlisle Train Station, this historic site continues to be a cornerstone of British biscuit tradition, blending generations of expertise with modern innovation to bring joy to biscuit lovers across the UK and beyond.

As the Manufacturing Team Manager, you will be expected to make a positive impact and deliver results through others, by overseeing their development and leading by example. The purpose of your role is to manage people, plant, product and process delivery. You will be responsible for site critical metrics, team performance, and operational efficiency.

• Direct, challenge, motivate, lead, and coach team members.
• Conduct regular monitoring, feedback, and development initiatives to maintain skills and competencies.

• Ensure production meets plan targets and deploy the labour plan.
• Manage Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), accuracy, waste recording, downtime, packet weights, labour numbers, and efficiency.
• Utilize and maintain systems like Autostore, Workday, SAP, SFOL, Absence Manager to gather and produce management information.

• Ensure effective communication between operations, management, support teams, and engineering.
• Promote high levels of customer service and identify ways to improve customer satisfaction.

• Follow Quality Management Systems and procedures.
• Maintain hygiene audit standards and ensure documentation is completed to the required standard.
• Identify and resolve problems in staff, production, and equipment areas.

• Validated leadership skills, leading by example, demonstrating high standards of behaviour, honesty and integrity.
• Be a confident, effective and challenging communicator, and be able to demonstrate a track record in leading teams to drive up standards and improve efficiency in all areas.
• Management experience gained within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience of working within a Lean Environment
• A consistent track record of delegating, empowering, influencing and motivating people to achieve goals
• An accountable mentality is crucial
• Experience of working across bakery and snacks processing is preferable
• Positive approach to self-development and achieving the skills required to fulfil the role
• Ability to positively adapt and respond to change for self and others
• Develop and support people through coaching and feedback to achieve excellence

• Initial Telephone call with Talent Acquisition
• 1st stage interview – 45 minutes competency-based interview based on our company values and your experiences.
• Online Leadership Assessment
• 2nd stage interview – 60 minutes – a technical interview to understand your skill set/case study or presentation interview.

pladis does also use both Psychometric and Aptitude tests to support our processes so you may be asked to complete these as part of your process. Some…