Factory Manager

Join a company with a proud 50+ year legacy in transforming animal nutrition. As a trusted, family-run business, they have built their reputation on creating innovative feed solutions that keep livestock healthy, productive, and thriving.

Below covers everything you need to know about what this opportunity entails, as well as what is expected from applicants.

Their roots in dairy and passion for progress drive them to stay at the forefront of agricultural science — and they’re looking for people who want to be part of that journey. Here, your work will make a real difference to farmers, animals, and the future of sustainable agriculture.

Role Overview

The facility in Liverpool specializes in producing protected fats using a heat-generating drying method developed to create feed products mainly for dairy cattle. The position is responsible for overseeing all aspects of site operations, including health and safety, manufacturing, supply chain management, purchasing, customer service, plant and equipment maintenance, quality assurance, administration, capital projects, product safety, and environmental compliance.

Key Responsibilities

· Lead and inspire professional teams, making sure everyone knows exactly what they’re doing, why they’re doing it, and how to get even better at it

· Keep health & safety more than just “a box tick” — ensuring hazards are handled fast, improvements are ongoing, and near-misses don’t get missed

· Support site quality functions to keep everything compliant, clean, and customer-ready

· Spot cost savings like a hawk — whether it’s reducing waste, cutting overfill, or squeezing more productivity from processes

· Ensure materials are stored, preserved, and rotated so nothing goes off, gets lost, or mysteriously disappears

· Keep production quality consistently high, and act fast when things fall short

· Track capacity, downtime, maintenance, and other key metrics so planning runs like clockwork

· Share knowledge and learn from other sites — because good ideas don’t need passports

· Safeguard product quality and feed safety, ensuring nothing subpar gets anywhere near a customer

· Maintain a risk register and address issues before they become “issues.”

· Keep production equipment in peak condition with the right maintenance and spare parts ready to go

· Make sure the site’s hygiene and maintenance schedule is followed without turning every week into “cleaning week.”

· Complete site audits on time and make sure fixes actually stick

· Manage raw material and product inventories to target levels, avoiding waste and overstock dramas

· Set and control the site’s annual overhead budget (without making everyone feel like they work in a finance lecture)

· Drive continuous improvement, from capital project proposals to on-budget delivery

· Identify opportunities to make the site run better, faster, or smarter — and get those ideas implemented

· Monitor performance against KPIs, closing gaps with action rather than excuses

· Work with management and HR to plan staffing, ensuring the right people are in the right place at the right time

· Recruit and onboard new team members who can hit the ground running

· Keep visual management boards relevant, updated, and actually useful

· Host customer visits and audits, showcasing the site at its best

· Step in and support other areas of the business when needed — because teamwork isn’t optional here.

Requirements

· Proven experience in a senior line management role within a manufacturing environment (minimum 5 years)

· NEBOSH or IOSH qualification

· Strong ability to analyse and resolve process issues, using Root Cause Analysis to ensure a consistent, effective approach

· In-depth knowledge of manufacturing processes

· Solid understanding of regulations relevant to manufacturing facilities — including environmental, health & safety, feed regulations, and statutory equipment testing

· Skilled in managing resources effectively, including people, plant, and materials

· Comprehensive knowledge of control systems, including quality systems and health & safety frameworks

· Awareness of the local area and community

Ref Code: PR/(phone number removed)

To apply, please e-mail in strict confidence, with a comprehensive CV, including salary details, quoting the above reference and for the attention of Jon Hemming-Nash

Due to a high volume of responses, we cannot reply to each application individually. If you have not had a response within one week, we are sorry to say your application has not been successful on this occasion