Production Manager in Lisburn

Location: Lisburn Area, Co. Antrim

Salary: Up to £50,000 per annum (depending on experience)

Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent

About the Opportunity

We are recruiting on behalf of an established and growing food manufacturing business in the Lisburn area, seeking an experienced and motivated Factory Manager / Production Manager to join its operations team. This is an excellent opportunity for a hands-on production leader who is passionate about operational excellence, people management and continuous improvement. The successful candidate will play a key role in overseeing day-to-day factory operations, driving production performance and ensuring consistently high standards of quality, efficiency and food safety.

The Role

Reporting to senior management, the Factory Manager / Production Manager will take responsibility for the effective management of production operations, ensuring that manufacturing targets are achieved safely, efficiently and to the highest quality standards. This position offers an opportunity to take ownership of factory performance, develop a strong production team and introduce improvements that contribute directly to the ongoing success of the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Production & Operational Management
  • Oversee the day-to-day running of factory operations, ensuring production schedules and customer requirements are met.
  • Coordinate production, processing and packing activities to achieve operational targets.
  • Develop and implement effective production plans to maximise productivity and resource utilisation.
  • Monitor production performance, identifying opportunities to improve throughput, minimise downtime and reduce waste.
  • Manage the allocation of labour, equipment and materials to meet production requirements.
  • Collaborate with other departments to ensure smooth and efficient factory operations.
  • Support the effective maintenance and utilisation of production equipment.
• People Management & Leadership
  • Lead, motivate and develop production teams, fostering a positive and performance-driven working environment.
  • Manage staffing requirements, shift arrangements, attendance and labour allocation.
  • Provide coaching, training and ongoing support to supervisors and production operatives.
  • Establish clear performance expectations and encourage accountability across the factory.
  • Identify training and development opportunities to strengthen team capabilities.
  • Promote effective communication, teamwork and employee engagement.
• Food Safety, Quality & Compliance
  • Maintain high standards of food safety, hygiene and product quality throughout production operations.
  • Ensure compliance with HACCP, food safety legislation, health and safety regulations and company procedures.
  • Work closely with quality and technical teams to maintain appropriate production controls and documentation.
  • Ensure products consistently meet agreed specifications and customer requirements.
  • Support internal and external audits and oversee the implementation of corrective actions.
  • Champion a strong food safety and health and safety culture across the factory.
• Continuous Improvement & Cost Control
  • Identify and implement opportunities to improve manufacturing processes and operational efficiency.
  • Monitor key performance indicators, including production output, labour efficiency, waste, yield and downtime.
  • Drive initiatives to improve productivity, minimise production costs and maintain product quality.
  • Support effective stock management and raw material utilisation.
  • Contribute to the introduction of new products, processes and operational improvements.
  • Provide regular performance updates and recommendations to senior management.

Essential Criteria

• Previous experience in a Factory Manager, Production Manager, Operations Manager or similar leadership position within food manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of production planning, factory operations and people management.
• Proven experience managing and developing teams within a fast-paced production environment.
• Good working knowledge of HACCP, food safety, hygiene and health and safety requirements.
• Demonstrable ability to improve production efficiency, productivity and operational performance.
• Strong organisational, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and leadership abilities.
• A proactive, hands-on approach to managing production operations.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience within chilled food, meat processing, poultry or other fast-paced food manufacturing environments.
• Knowledge of production yield, waste reduction and manufacturing cost control.
• Previous involvement in continuous improvement or operational development initiatives.
• Experience working within a quality-focused, high-volume production environment.
• Relevant qualifications in food manufacturing, operations or production management.

What's on Offer?

• Salary up to £50,000, depending on experience.
• Permanent, full-time opportunity with an established food manufacturing business.
• A hands-on leadership role with responsibility for day-to-day factory operations.
• Opportunity to implement improvements and influence operational performance.
• A varied position combining people management, production planning and continuous improvement.
• Opportunity to contribute to the ongoing growth and development of the business.

The Ideal Candidate

We are keen to speak with experienced production professionals who enjoy leading from the front and making a tangible difference within a manufacturing environment. You will be a confident people manager with strong operational knowledge, a practical approach to problem-solving and a proven ability to drive improvements in efficiency, quality and production performance. While experience within meat processing or chilled food manufacturing would be advantageous, applications from candidates with relevant experience across the wider food manufacturing sector are equally welcome.