At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead production shifts, ensuring safety, quality, and efficiency across all lines.
- Company: Join Danish Crown, a trusted leader in food manufacturing with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible shifts, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for growth in a high-volume site with a focus on teamwork and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on production efficiency and team development in a dynamic role.
- Qualifications: Experience in FMCG operations, strong leadership, and problem-solving skills required.
The predicted salary is between 42556 - 52012 £ per year.
Step into a high-impact, six-month interim role driving operational excellence, safety and shift performance across our production lines in Rochdale.
What you will be doing
- Executing Daily Production: Deliver planned shift production targets on time and to exact specifications, managing task allocations and daily workflows effectively.
- Leading & Developing People: Motivate and develop the shift supervisor team and broader workforce, fostering a performance-driven culture through regular feedback and coaching.
- Championing Safety & Quality: Promote a safety-first culture while upholding strict quality regulations, compliance standards and site standard operating procedures (SOPs).
- Problem-Solving & Continuous Improvement: Identify root causes of production issues, implement Lean methodologies and partner with cross-functional site teams to ensure continuous workflow efficiency.
- Operational Reporting & Governance: Ensure accurate reporting of key shift metrics and figures, whilst deputising for the Operations Manager and leading Tier 1 meetings when required.
What you will bring
- Experience: Proven track record of leading production or operations within an FMCG environment, ideally within food manufacturing.
- Soft Skills: A hands-on, inspiring leadership style with excellent communication skills, strong initiative and the ability to build collaborative, accountable teams.
- Hard Skills: In-depth knowledge of food production processes, Lean principles, safety and quality compliance, along with working knowledge of ERP systems such as SAP.
Why join us
This six-month fixed-term contract offers a competitive salary, working 37.5 hours per week across flexible shift patterns between 05:15 and 23:30. It provides an excellent platform to bring your expertise to a high-volume site where your work will directly influence output, safety and shift efficiency.
At Danish Crown, you will enjoy real operational autonomy within a supportive, teamwork-focused culture. You will collaborate with dedicated colleagues who value open communication, practical problem-solving and mutual respect, giving you the space to make a genuine mark on our UK operations.
About us
Danish Crown UK is a business built on trust, teamwork and ambition. We exist to deliver food that people believe in, and we know that takes strong leadership and collaborative cultures.
Our leadership principles guide us. We act for the good of the whole organisation. We hire brilliant people and help them grow. We are ambitious, curious and open to new ideas. We build trust by accepting mistakes as part of development. We believe real leadership is earned through example, not title.
Whoever joins us will help create a workplace where people feel safe to speak up, share ideas, challenge old ways of working and stretch themselves to achieve more. If that sounds like the environment where you thrive, we would love to hear from you.
Production Manager - Interim employer: Friland
Danish Crown UK is an exceptional employer located in Rochdale, offering a dynamic work environment where you can take ownership of your role as Deputy Production Manager. With a strong focus on professional growth, competitive salary, and a collaborative culture, employees are empowered to drive real-time improvements and influence operational success. Join a team that values trust, teamwork, and ambition, ensuring that your contributions are recognised and your development is actively supported.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Production Manager - Interim
✨Get Your Hands Dirty in the Industry
For a temporary role in manufacturing, don’t shy away from physically visiting local factories and production sites. A friendly walk-in can often lead to spontaneous interviews or valuable connections, and can really help you get a sense of the workplace vibe.
✨Tap into Seasonal Hiring Windows
Manufacturing often sees spikes in hiring during particular seasons, like summer when production ramps up. Keep an eye on local job boards and community centres, or even visit seasonal job fairs—they’re golden for snagging those temporary roles we’re after.
✨Join Industry-Specific Communities
Consider joining online forums and social media groups specific to manufacturing. Sites like Reddit or even LinkedIn groups can give you insights into open positions and allow you to connect with current employees who might give you an edge in the hiring process.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Site!
With Friland looking for temporary talent, make sure to apply directly through our website. It’s often the fastest way to get your foot in the door, so make the most of it. Plus, it shows you're proactive—always a win!
We think you need these skills to ace Production Manager - Interim
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Practical Skills:In manufacturing and production, hands-on skills are key! Make sure your CV showcases any relevant experience with machinery, quality control, or assembly line work. If you’ve got certifications related to operating specific equipment, don’t forget to include those too!
Focus on Flexibility and Adaptability:For a temporary role, employers are looking for candidates who can hit the ground running. In your cover letter, emphasise your ability to adapt quickly and work well under pressure. Share any experiences where you've successfully adjusted to changing circumstances or tight deadlines.
Include Specific Measurements of Your Impact:Manufacturing roles often revolve around efficiency and productivity. If you’ve previously worked in similar roles, be sure to quantify your achievements. For example, mention how you improved production rates or reduced waste – numbers stand out and show you mean business!
Express Your Interest in the Industry:Temporary roles can be a great stepping stone for future opportunities! Take a moment in your application to express why you’re interested in manufacturing and production. Showing genuine enthusiasm for the field can make a real difference and may keep doors open for upcoming positions!
How to prepare for a job interview at Friland
✨Showcase Your Hands-On Experience
In the manufacturing and production world, they want to see that you can actually handle the tools and machines. Bring along any certifications you have or even pictures of projects you’ve worked on. We want to demonstrate that you're not just a theory person but someone who can jump right in.
✨Emphasise Safety Knowledge
Safety's a huge deal in manufacturing, so make sure you’re clued up about health and safety regulations. Be prepared to discuss how you've followed safety protocols in past roles. It's all about showing you can contribute to a safe working environment at Friland.
✨Flexibility is Key
Since this is a temporary role, highlight your adaptability and willingness to step into different roles as needed. Share examples of times you’ve adjusted quickly to new situations or tackled varied tasks. We want to show you're the go-to person when things get busy!
✨Ask About Team Dynamics
In any temporary role, fitting in quickly is vital. Ask about team dynamics and collaboration processes during the interview. This shows you’re not only ready to contribute but also keen to blend into Friland’s culture, making you a valuable asset.
