Production Manager

Production Manager

Dartford Full-Time 48000 - 64000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead production processes, manage teams, and drive continuous improvements using Lean Manufacturing.
  • Company: Join a people-focused company that values wellbeing and development.
  • Benefits: Enjoy excellent benefits, structured career progression, and a supportive work culture.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a high-impact role with opportunities for growth.
  • Qualifications: Experience in production management and strong leadership skills required.
  • Other info: This is a chance to elevate your career in a fast-paced environment.

The predicted salary is between 48000 - 64000 £ per year.

Company Overview

Company Name: UCC

Location: N/A

Products/Services: Coffee. The company also has plans for a multi-million pound coffee cleaning plant.

Primary Customers:

  • McDonald’s
  • Greggs
  • Waitrose
  • And a lot more (unspecified)

Company Structure & Vision

Headcount: Approximately 80 employees at the site;

UK revenue: approximately £50 million.

Growth Plans: Investments in increased capacity, new vertical bargain line and case bucker, plans for a multi-million pound coffee cleaning plant within the next year. Implementation of a new ERP system by year’s end.

Role Details

Role Title: Production & Improvement Manager

Working Hours and Location: 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday to Friday. On-site at a UK location.

Benefits: Health plan, pension. Additional details to be provided by Vanessa.

Primary Purpose of the Role:

  • Implement a more structured, continuous improvement approach to problem-solving.
  • Shift from firefighting to consistent control.
  • Manage a production team of approximately 55 employees via three shift managers.
  • Play a key role in implementing a new ERP system by the end of the year.
  • Oversee projects including a new vertical bagging line, case packer, and a potential multi-million pound coffee cleaning plant.

Role Responsibilities & Expectations

This Production Improvement Manager role is critical because the company is implementing a new ERP system by the end of the year and needs a more structured, continuous improvement approach to problem-solving rather than firefighting.

Specific Responsibilities:

  • Managing a production team of approximately 55 employees through three shift managers.
  • Overseeing the implementation of the new ERP system.
  • Leading the continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Working on new capital projects including the vertical bagging line, case packer and coffee cleaning plant.

Candidate Profile

Ideal Candidate: A production manager with experience managing a team through shift managers or team leaders, preferably with ERP and MES system experience. Lean manufacturing experience is a plus.

Essential Experience/Skills: Production management background; managing teams; working with ERP and MES systems; mechanical/engineering aptitude; continuous improvement experience.

Essential Personality Traits: Good coach, able to motivate, strong communicator, works well with colleagues.

Desirable Qualities: Experience with coffee procurement and processing would be beneficial. Prior experience in a similar role at UCC would be preferable.

Cultural Fit: High importance; a six-minute questionnaire (My People tool) will be used to assess shared values and long-term fit.

Recruitment Process

Ideal Start Date: ASAP, following Earl’s departure at the end of next month.

Interview Process:

  1. Phone call with Leo.
  2. On-site visit, shop floor assessment, presentation.

Interview Focus: Continuous improvement approach, ERP system implementation, mechanical/engineering aptitude, coaching/motivational skills, and good colleague relations.

Logistics & Final Steps

Meeting or site tour as part of the process? Yes, there will be an on-site assessment and potentially a presentation as part of the interview process for candidates.

Arrangement type: The arrangement is retained, meaning that the recruiting firm is the only one handling this role for now.

Job description finalized: Yes, key details discussed.

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Production Manager employer: Inexa

Join a people-focused company in Dartford that values your wellbeing and professional growth as a Production Manager. With a commitment to career progression and a high-impact role, you'll have the opportunity to lead a dynamic team, implement Lean Manufacturing principles, and drive continuous improvement in production processes. Experience a supportive work culture that prioritizes employee development and offers structured pathways for advancement.
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Contact Detail:

Inexa Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Production Manager

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarize yourself with Lean Manufacturing principles and be ready to discuss how you've implemented them in past roles. Highlight specific examples of how you've driven continuous improvement in production processes.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare to showcase your leadership skills by discussing your experience managing teams. Think about how you've motivated your team to meet KPIs and how you handle performance reviews.

✨Tip Number 3

Research the company culture and values, especially their focus on people and wellbeing. Be ready to explain how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to a positive work environment.

✨Tip Number 4

Stay updated on industry trends and challenges within FMCG manufacturing. Being knowledgeable about current issues will help you engage in meaningful conversations during the interview process.

We think you need these skills to ace Production Manager

Lean Manufacturing
Operational Excellence
Team Leadership
Performance Management
Continuous Improvement
Problem-Solving Skills
Communication Skills
Health & Safety Compliance
Risk Management
FMCG Manufacturing Experience
Process Optimization
Time Management
Analytical Skills
Coaching and Development

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Take the time to thoroughly read the job description for the Production Manager position. Make sure you understand the key responsibilities and required skills, especially around Lean Manufacturing principles.

Tailor Your CV: Customize your CV to highlight your relevant experience in production management and your hands-on knowledge of Lean Manufacturing. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to drive operational excellence and team development.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for the role and the company’s people-focused culture. Mention how your leadership skills and experience align with their goals for continuous improvement and operational efficiency.

Highlight Achievements: In both your CV and cover letter, emphasize your past achievements in managing production processes, improving quality, and optimizing workflows. Use metrics where possible to quantify your impact.

How to prepare for a job interview at Inexa

✨Showcase Your Lean Manufacturing Knowledge

Be prepared to discuss your hands-on experience with Lean Manufacturing principles. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully implemented these methodologies to improve production processes and operational efficiency.

✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills

Since the role involves managing shift managers and teams, share your leadership experiences. Talk about how you've motivated teams, handled performance reviews, and adjusted goals to meet evolving priorities.

✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Scenarios

Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Think of past challenges you've faced in production management and how you identified risks, mitigated them, and ensured compliance with health and safety standards.

✨Communicate Effectively

Strong communication is key in this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Be ready to explain complex ideas simply, especially when discussing production standards and team collaboration.

Production Manager
Inexa
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  • Production Manager

    Dartford
    Full-Time
    48000 - 64000 £ / year (est.)

    Application deadline: 2027-03-11

  • I

    Inexa

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