Production Manager

Location: Pilton

Cooper Golding is recruiting on behalf of our client a well-established manufacturing business seeking an experienced Production Manager.

Job Title:

Production Manager
Job Type: Permanent | Full-time

Location:

Barnstaple
Salary: £45,000 - £50,000 per annum

About the role:

This is a senior, hands-on leadership role with full responsibility for production planning, workflow, staffing, KPIs, cost control, and health & safety, working closely with the Manufacturing Director and wider management team. You will lead operational performance, people development, and continuous improvement across the production function.

Key Responsibilities of the Production Manager:
 
Production Planning & Delivery:
 
Ensure production plans and schedules are achieved in line with customer demand and lead times
Oversee end-to-end production workflow, output targets, and departmental performance
Develop and maintain long-term production plans to meet deadlines and growth objectives
Monitor progress, identify delays or risks, and report issues to senior management  People Leadership & Development:
 
Promote, recruit, train, and develop supervisors and production staff
Build strong staff relationships, trust, and a positive performance-driven culture
Set performance goals and carry out productivity reviews and appraisals
Drive leadership development, time management, and task prioritisation
Ensure appropriate staffing levels across departments  Process Control & Continuous Improvement:
 
Ensure all SOPs are current, accurate, and implemented across all departments
Maintain accurate production timings with regular audits and checks
Lead root cause analysis and approve long-term corrective actions
Champion lean manufacturing, 5S, and continuous improvement initiatives
Work cross-functionally to improve processes, tooling, and fixtures
Implement improvements to reduce waste, improve efficiency, and lower costs  Quality, Health & Safety:
 
Maintain a safe working environment with full compliance to health & safety standards
Ensure quality and efficiency targets are consistently met
Lead investigations and preventative actions relating to quality or safety issues  Stock, Materials & Cost Control:
 
Ensure stock checks are accurate, up to date, and completed regularly
Communicate with purchasing and accounts to guarantee material availability
Manage production budgets and control departmental expenditure
Analyse production costs and identify cost-saving opportunities
Approve equipment upgrades and process investments where required  Reporting & Strategy:
 
Monitor KPIs and analyse performance trends Prepare management-level reports on productivity, efficiency, and output Participate in strategic production planning meetings with the Manufacturing Director  About the Production Manager Candidate:
 
Essential:
 
Proven experience in a Production Manager or senior manufacturing leadership role
Strong people management and leadership capability

Experience with lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and KPI-driven environments
Solid understanding of production planning, workflow management, and cost control
Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis capability  Desirable:
 
Experience in a high-volume or precision manufacturing environment
Knowledge of 5S, lean tools, and waste reduction methodologies
Budget management and capital investment experience  Benefits of the Production Manager Role:
 
Competitive salary package + bonus
Senior leadership role with genuine influence and autonomy
Opportunity to shape culture, performance, and continuous improvement
Long-term career progression within a stable manufacturing business
Death in Service
Pension
Free Parking