Production & Operations Manager

Production & Operations Manager

With a modern production and bottling facility, a growing portfolio of premium Irish whiskeys and an expanding presence across international markets, we are entering an exciting phase of growth and operational development.

We are seeking an experienced, hands‑on Production & Operations Manager to lead our production operations, build a high‑performing team and drive measurable improvements in productivity, efficiency, quality and cost control.

The Role

The Production & Operations Manager will have overall responsibility for the safe, efficient and cost-effective operation of our production facilities, covering the complete post distillation process from cask disgorging and liquid preparation through to bottling, packaging, warehousing and finished goods dispatch.

This is a key operational leadership position requiring a strong technical and commercial mindset, excellent people management skills and a proven ability to improve manufacturing performance.

The successful candidate will take ownership of production planning, equipment performance, workforce productivity, inventory management and operational quality, while establishing a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Our objective is simple: to deliver consistently high-quality finished products, on time, at the required volumes and at the lowest sustainable cost.

Key Responsibilities

Production Management & Operational Excellence

• Lead and manage all production activities, including cask disgorging, liquid preparation, bottling, packaging and dispatch.
• Develop and implement efficient production schedules aligned with customer orders and business requirements.
• Maximise production throughput, equipment utilisation and labour productivity.
• Identify and eliminate operational bottlenecks, downtime, waste and inefficient working practices.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators, including Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), production output, labour efficiency, waste and cost per finished case.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance productivity, quality, reliability and cost efficiency.
• Take responsibility for the performance and optimisation of the Polaris bottling line and associated packaging operations.
• Oversee cask disgorging, liquid transfers, batching, blending, dilution, filtration and preparation for bottling.
• Ensure accurate liquid measurement, reconciliation, traceability and adherence to approved product specifications.
• Improve line efficiency, changeover times, equipment availability and production output.
• Minimise liquid losses, packaging waste, defects and rework.
• Maintain consistently high standards of liquid and finished product quality.
• Lead, build, motivate and develop a skilled, flexible and accountable production team.
• Establish clear roles, responsibilities, operating procedures and performance expectations.
• Plan staffing and resources to maximise productivity and operational efficiency.
• Develop employee capabilities through training, coaching and performance management.
• Foster a positive, proactive culture of teamwork, ownership and continuous improvement.
• Lead by example with a visible, hands‑on approach to daily operations.

Warehouse, Inventory & Logistics

• Oversee the management of production warehouses, dry goods, bulk liquid and finished goods inventory.
• Implement robust stock control, recording and reconciliation procedures.
• Ensure accurate recording of materials consumed, production output, wastage and stock movements.
• Optimise warehouse organisation, material handling and stock rotation.
• Manage picking, packing, palletisation and dispatch to ensure accurate, on‑time fulfilment of customer orders.
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