Production Manager - Soft Fruits

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant must have existing Right to Work in the UK.

Are you an experienced Production Manager looking for your next challenge within a fast-paced fresh produce environment? Do you have a strong background in packhouse operations, team leadership, and driving production efficiency? Are you ready to play a key role within a growing soft fruit business focused on quality, continuous improvement, and operational excellence?

Location of the Job: UK - Aberdeenshire

Salary & Benefits Package:

• £40,000 - £50,000 per annum (depending on experience)
• Full-time, Permanent
• Opportunity to join a growing and ambitious business
• Career progression and development opportunities
• Training and development support
• Supportive and collaborative working environment
• Additional company benefits

About the Company:

Our client is an established and growing family-owned soft fruit farming business with a strong reputation for producing high-quality products and delivering exceptional customer experiences. Combining traditional values with a progressive and innovative approach, the business operates across food production, agriculture and retail activities, with quality, sustainability and continuous improvement at the core of everything they do.

Production Manager / Assistant Production Manager - The Job Role Details:

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced production professional, or an aspiring leader looking for the next step in their career, to join a fast-paced and varied environment. The successful candidate will support and drive efficient day-to-day production operations, ensuring customer requirements are met while maintaining high standards of quality, food safety, productivity and team performance. This role is ideally suited to an individual with experience within fresh produce and packhouse operations, with soft fruit experience highly desirable. Responsibilities and autonomy within the role will be tailored according to experience and appointment level.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage and coordinate day-to-day production and packhouse activities to ensure operational plans and customer requirements are delivered effectively.
• Lead, motivate and support production teams, creating a positive and high-performing working environment.
• Ensure products are packed and produced to specification, quality and customer standards.
• Monitor and improve production efficiency, productivity and operational performance.
• Support production planning and scheduling to maximise output and minimise waste.
• Track and report on KPIs including labour utilisation, throughput, downtime, yield and waste.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, hygiene and quality management systems.
• Promote and maintain excellent health & safety standards throughout operations.
• Work collaboratively across operational teams.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, training and development.
• Assist stock management.
• Support audits and compliance requirements.

Essential Candidate Skills & Experience:

• Previous experience within fresh produce production or packhouse operations.
• Experience managing teams within a fast-paced fresh produce, food manufacturing or packing environment.
• Strong organisational and leadership skills.
• Understanding of packhouse processes and efficiencies.
• Practical problem-solving approach.
• Knowledge of food safety and quality systems.
• Experience with production reporting systems and Microsoft Office packages.
• Continuous improvement mindset.

Desirable:

• Experience within soft fruit operations.
• HACCP qualification.
• Lean Manufacturing or Continuous Improvement experience.
• Knowledge of retailer standards and customer audit requirements.
• IOSH or Health & Safety qualifications.

Working Hours:

Full-time position with flexibility required depending on operational and seasonal demands.

How to Apply:

Please click on the "apply now" button. As we are a specialist recruitment business within the Agricultural and Farming industry, all applicants must hold an NVQ Level 2, Scottish NVQ Level 2, or an equivalent qualification relevant to the role.

We thank all applicants who apply for this role; however, only those shortlisted for interview will be contacted. All applications will be handled in strict confidence and personal details will not be shared without prior consent.