Production Manager

Your new company We are seeking an experienced and highly capable Production Manager to join a large, global food manufacturing business. This is a key leadership role responsible for managing day-to-day production across both high-risk and low-risk environments, leading a team of approximately 30 operators to deliver safe, efficient and high-quality manufacturing performance. Your new role The successful candidate will be a strong people leader who can build accountability, tackle operational challenges head on and create a positive, performance-driven culture.

They will be focused on quality outputs, labour and process efficiencies, continuous improvement and the consistent achievement of production, safety, hygiene and customer standards. Lead, coach and develop a team of production operators, ensuring clear standards, expectations and accountabilities are in place. Manage daily production activity across high-risk and low-risk manufacturing areas, ensuring safe, compliant and efficient operations at all times.

Drive a strong food safety, quality and hygiene culture, ensuring products are manufactured to specification and in line with customer, legal and site standards. Take ownership of production KPIs, including output, efficiency, labour utilisation, waste, quality performance, downtime and right-first-time delivery. Identify and resolve operational challenges quickly and effectively, using a hands-on and proactive approach to maintain production flow and performance.

Work closely with Technical, Engineering, Planning, Hygiene, Warehouse and Continuous Improvement teams to ensure cross-functional alignment and delivery of site objectives. Promote a safety-first culture, ensuring compliance with health and safety procedures, risk assessments, safe systems of work and accident prevention standards. Plan and manage labour requirements to meet production schedules, customer demand and operational priorities. Lead daily meetings, performance reviews and shift handovers to ensure effective communication and clear follow-up on actions.

Support continuous improvement activity across the production area, identifying opportunities to improve productivity, reduce waste and strengthen operational standards. Manage investigations relating to quality issues, non-conformances, downtime, customer complaints or process failures, ensuring effective root cause analysis and corrective action. Ensure training, skills development and compliance records are maintained for all team members, supporting succession planning and capability building. Maintain high standards of housekeeping, GMP and audit readiness across all production areas.

Handle performance, conduct, absence and engagement matters confidently, fairly and in line with company policy. What you'll need to succeed You will have previous experience in a Production Manager or Shift Manager, or similar leadership role within food manufacturing, FMCG or a regulated production environment. Experience working within high-risk and low-risk food manufacturing environments, with a strong understanding of food safety, hygiene and quality standards.

Proven experience leading, motivating and developing sizeable operational teams in a fast-paced manufacturing setting. Strong people management capability, with the confidence to address performance issues, challenge behaviours and build a disciplined, engaged team culture. Demonstrable track record of improving production efficiency, output, waste, labour performance and operational standards. Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to influence operators, peers and senior stakeholders.

Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to make effective decisions under pressure.…