Production Manager in Yorkshire

Are you an experienced Production Manager looking for an opportunity to lead within a high-volume, performance driven manufacturing and logistics environment? We are working with an established organisation in West Yorkshire to recruit an experienced Production Manager who can drive operational performance, develop high-performing teams and deliver consistently against demanding production, quality, cost and delivery targets.

This is a key operational leadership position within a complex manufacturing environment. You will have the opportunity to influence operational performance, drive continuous improvement and play an integral role in developing a strong, accountable and engaged workforce. If you are a hands-on manufacturing leader who enjoys improving performance, developing people and making a tangible operational impact, this could be an excellent next step.

Working Hours & Benefits

• Monday–Thursday: 8:30am – 5:00pm
• Friday: 8:30am – 1:30pm
• 25 days' holiday plus bank holidays
• Benefits include:
• Company car or car allowance
• Private medical insurance
• Pension Scheme
• Life assurance
• Health Insurance
• EAP
• Onsite parking

The Role

As Production Manager, you will take full accountability for production performance across your area, ensuring operational targets relating to output, quality, cost and delivery are consistently achieved. This is a pivotal leadership role requiring a strong focus on continuous improvement, people development and cross-functional collaboration. You will play a key role in driving operational excellence, supporting the introduction of new products and processes, and embedding a high-performance culture aligned with wider business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide visible leadership across the production function, setting clear expectations and creating a culture of accountability, engagement and continuous improvement.
• Develop the capability of the supervisory team through regular coaching, performance management and ongoing development.
• Take ownership of operational performance, ensuring production activity is effectively planned and delivered to meet customer, quality and business requirements.
• Use operational data and performance trends to identify areas of concern, address root causes and implement sustainable improvements.
• Maintain a strong focus on safety, quality, productivity, cost and delivery, ensuring agreed performance measures are understood and achieved across the operation.
• Work closely with colleagues across Supply Chain, Engineering, Maintenance, HR and Finance to resolve operational challenges and support wider business priorities.
• Ensure workforce capacity and capability are aligned with production requirements, including resource planning, skills coverage, training and workforce flexibility.
• Champion Lean and continuous improvement activity, encouraging teams to identify opportunities to improve processes, eliminate waste and increase operational efficiency.
• Take responsibility for departmental cost management, ensuring labour, overtime and other controllable expenditure are managed effectively.
• Play an active role in the introduction of new products and processes, ensuring operational readiness and a smooth transition into production.
• Maintain high standards of Health & Safety, environmental compliance and quality throughout the production environment.
• Create effective communication channels across the department, ensuring employees understand operational priorities, performance expectations and business objectives.
• Address people and performance matters proactively and consistently, working with HR where appropriate to support positive employee relations.

What We’re Looking For

• Significant leadership experience gained within a busy, high-volume manufacturing or similarly complex operational environment.
• Previous responsibility for leading production teams through Supervisors, Team Leaders or other frontline management.
• Evidence of improving operational performance and delivering measurable improvements across areas such as productivity, quality, cost, safety and delivery.
• A practical understanding of Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement, with the ability to translate improvement methodologies into tangible operational results.
• Strong people leadership skills, with the confidence to coach, challenge and develop managers and teams at all levels.
• The ability to interpret operational information, identify performance trends and make informed, evidence-based decisions.
• Experience of balancing day-to-day production demands with longer-term improvement and business priorities.
• Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships across a range of functions.
• Sound knowledge of Health & Safety requirements and the importance of maintaining robust operational and quality standards.
• A relevant degree or professional qualification would be advantageous, although substantial and demonstrable manufacturing leadership experience will also be considered.

Above all, you will be a credible and visible operational leader who is comfortable working at pace, making decisions and taking ownership of performance. This is an excellent opportunity to join an established West Yorkshire manufacturing and logistics operation in a senior role with genuine scope to influence performance, people and continuous improvement.