Production Manager in Frome, Somerset

Lead large-scale production and directly influence performance and growth. Join a growing, market-leading food manufacturer with strong investment plans.

About Our Client:

• Andros Group: 58 production facilities across Europe and beyond
• 4 areas of development: Fruit, Chilled Dairy, Confectionery, Frozen Desserts
• A real industrial know-how and a significant will to introduce innovations
• Both a branded (Bonne Maman, Andros) and private label supplier

Company culture:

Andros believes in people above anything else. Their success has come from empowering hands-on, pragmatic individuals within a dynamic, solution-seeking and market-share winning organisation. Entrepreneurial spirit is encouraged, and consumer satisfaction is paramount. The work environment is fast, varied and free of politics. Communication is uncomplicated and direct relying on the trust built through professional expertise and a real team player attitude. There is pride within the organisation to be the manufacturer of simple, high-quality food offering great value to the consumer.

Andros in the UK is a major supplier of ambient fruit-based conserves and chilled yogurts and desserts, with its commercial operations based in Hammersmith dealing directly with all major retailers and sectors within the UK. They acquired in 2008, the Oldford dairy site (Somerset) and heavily invested in new, state-of-the-art, chilled desserts product lines, unique on the market. The company has experienced rapid growth becoming a top 150 UK food & drink business in 2020. This growth has been driven across both the preserves and desserts categories through the success of the Bonne Maman brand as well as an extensive private label activity. The products are either imported or produced in the dedicated chilled dessert facility in the Southwest of England. There is an ambitious investment plan for the coming years. Bonne Maman has seen significant success in the UK over recent years becoming brand leader of the jam category in 2013 and is now a major player in chilled desserts and yoghurt. Bonne Maman is known for its simple, great quality, natural products evoking a homely welcoming and trustworthy brand.

To support this growth they are now seeking a Production Manager.

Job Description:

Within a chilled dairy desserts factory and reporting to the Factory Manager, the Production Manager will be accountable for managing, measuring and improving business performance of the process (production of ingredients) and the packing departments in accordance with site KPI's and objectives. The work organisation of the site follows a 3 teams/ 5 days a week pattern. The site is highly automated and a variety of production technologies are implemented throughout. The nature of the products made requires the manager to be contactable and if necessary, to be present over weekends in situations of crisis (a rare occurrence).

Main tasks and responsibilities:

• Determine human resources necessary to meet production objectives.
• Lead the managers of process, packing and shifts. Ensure they enforce a common set of procedures and managerial approaches.
• Implement and optimise the process of recruiting, welcoming and training new starters to the required standard.
• Supervise a workplace that respects health & safety practices.
• Organise and manage the day to day production plan.
• Collaborate with other departments including planning, technical and maintenance.
• Ensure the site produces safe quality food, ensuring that planned quantities are produced in time and quantity. Quality is paramount. Enforce compliance of food safety standards practices.
• Advise, endorse and validate new plant, equipment and facilities.
• Support the development team in testing innovations or new ingredients.
• Contribute in the construction of the annual industrial budget.
• Meet set KPI including productivity and waste and pursue the investment in increasing automation of data collection and analysing.

The Successful Applicant:

• Proven management experience in an industrial environment.
• An excellent people leader.
• A hands-on manager, who is also a good team-player.
• Excellent problem-solving skills to overcome industrial challenges and implement continuous improvement drives.
• The variety and the short life nature of the products requires a capacity to react quickly and decisively.

What's on Offer:

• This is a full time position, site based role in Frome, Somerset. Relocation is on offer for the right candidate.
• Market Leader in their products and sector, strong growth plans.
• Company pension 6% employer contribution.
• 25 days holiday + Bank holidays.
• 4 x Death in Service.
• Long service recognition.
• Wellbeing initiatives - Free flu jabs, free eye tests, £90 contribution to prescription lenses, free legal and financial helpline and mental health support, virtual GP.