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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead production operations at two sites, ensuring quality and efficiency.
- Company: Kettle Produce is a top provider of fresh and prepared vegetables.
- Benefits: Enjoy a dynamic work environment with opportunities for growth and development.
- Why this job: Join a market leader and drive innovation in food production while fostering team spirit.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in strategic production within the food industry and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Contact Alasdair Murray for an informal discussion about this exciting opportunity.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 84000 £ per year.
Eden Scott is delighted to be retained by Kettle Produce to appoint an experienced Production Director.
Kettle Produce is a market leader for the provision of fresh and prepared vegetables. As Production Director, you will have overall production responsibility for two sites.
Balmalcolm is their registered Head Office. This is where they process and pack a range of prepared and washed vegetables including brassicas, roots, and salads. The fully automated preparation and packing equipment includes the latest technology and is constantly upgraded to ensure the quality of the final product is consistently best in class.
Orkie is located just two miles from Balmalcolm. Orkie is home to their state-of-art carrot, parsnip, and swede washing, grading, and packing line capabilities. This site also includes a Ready To Eat facility and further investments are planned.
The Role
Reporting to the Managing Director, you will manage and co-ordinate all production operations at both the Balmalcolm and Orkie sites. Responsible for the functional, financial, and strategic direction of production operations, ensuring accountability for meeting customer demands and quality expectations.
Drive continuous improvements, continually challenging and reviewing production techniques and philosophies to ensure that both sites operate at optimum efficiency.
Through strong leadership and first class communication skills, you will create and maintain effective and positive working relationships with all employees. Foster and promote a co-operative working environment that will be conducive to maximising employee morale, their productivity, and their contribution. Along with maximizing their learning and development opportunities, you will lead by example and manage the Production Operations team, creating an awareness and appreciation of the Company values and behaviours.
Accountabilities
- Develop standards of performance including quantitative targets that must be achieved.
- Develop a team culture whose core and instinctive focus is financial and quality focused.
- Control, implement, and be responsible for the health, safety, and wellbeing of all production employees and ensure that the Company’s Health, Safety, and Environmental policy is fully implemented.
- Manage and implement effective systems and protocols to ensure that the Production Operation is fully compliant with all the customer technical standards.
- Work closely with Learning & Development to ensure that all staff are given sufficient training, guidance, and support to carry out their roles effectively.
- Ensure that a robust people planning strategy is in place that meets the seasonal and operational requirements of each site.
- Ensure that a continuously high standard of hygiene and housekeeping is embedded for the equipment, people, and premises.
- Prepare and provide periodic budget reviews and be responsible for the overall financial performance of the Production Operation.
- Evaluate and recommend solutions to improve existing systems of production.
- Demonstrate strong leadership qualities and ensure that there is a clear and appropriate communications strategy in place.
Experience Required
- Proven strategic production experience within manufacturing, preferably within a chilled, multi-component food business.
- Automation experience along with experience working within a labour-intensive manufacturing environment.
- Evidence of driving change and implementing process improvement projects.
- Experience of working as part of a project team implementing capital equipment.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence at all levels.
- Financially astute, with previous budget and full P&L responsibility.
- Evidence of supplying and meeting with the UK major multiples. (Audits, NPD etc.)
Application Process
If you are interested in having an informal discussion to find out more, please contact our retained consultant Alasdair Murray of Eden Scott directly on 07949 304 727.
To apply, please send a copy of your CV to
Please note all third-party, direct and speculative applications/CVs will be forwarded to Eden Scott for consideration.
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Production Director employer: Kettle Produce Ltd.
Contact Detail:
Kettle Produce Ltd. Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Production Director
✨Tip Number 1
Make sure to highlight your strategic production experience in your conversations. This role requires a proven track record in manufacturing, especially in chilled, multi-component food businesses, so be ready to discuss specific examples.
✨Tip Number 2
Demonstrate your knowledge of automation and process improvement. Since the company uses state-of-the-art technology, showing that you can drive change and implement improvements will set you apart.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your financial acumen. This position involves budget management and P&L responsibility, so be ready to share how you've successfully managed finances in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Emphasize your leadership and communication skills. The role requires creating a positive working environment and fostering team culture, so be prepared to share how you've effectively led teams in the past.
We think you need these skills to ace Production Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your strategic production experience, particularly in manufacturing and the food industry. Emphasize any automation experience and your ability to drive change and implement process improvements.
Showcase Leadership Skills: In your application, provide examples of your leadership qualities. Discuss how you've created positive working environments and fostered team cultures focused on financial and quality performance.
Highlight Financial Acumen: Demonstrate your financial expertise by detailing your previous budget responsibilities and P&L management. Include specific achievements that showcase your ability to manage financial performance effectively.
Prepare for Informal Discussion: If you're interested in the role, consider reaching out for an informal discussion with Alasdair Murray from Eden Scott. Prepare questions about the company culture and expectations to show your genuine interest.
How to prepare for a job interview at Kettle Produce Ltd.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Vision
As a Production Director, it's crucial to demonstrate your strategic thinking. Prepare examples of how you've successfully driven change and implemented process improvements in previous roles, especially in a chilled, multi-component food business.
✨Highlight Leadership Skills
Strong leadership is key for this role. Be ready to discuss your experience in managing teams, fostering a positive work environment, and how you’ve effectively communicated with employees at all levels to enhance productivity and morale.
✨Discuss Financial Acumen
Since the role involves budget responsibility and financial performance, come prepared to talk about your experience with P&L management. Share specific instances where your financial insights led to improved operational efficiency.
✨Emphasize Compliance and Safety
Given the importance of health, safety, and compliance in production operations, be sure to discuss your approach to implementing safety protocols and ensuring that all standards are met. Provide examples of how you've maintained high hygiene standards in past positions.
