Factory Manager

Factory Manager

Full-Time 43200 - 72000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
Lime Talent Ltd

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a food manufacturing site, ensuring operational performance and team development.
  • Company: Dynamic food production company in London with a focus on growth.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, hands-on leadership role, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while driving safety and quality standards.
  • Qualifications: Proven experience in manufacturing leadership, preferably in food production.
  • Other info: Join a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 ÂŁ per year.

We’re recruiting for an experienced manufacturing leader to take full responsibility for a scaling food manufacturing site in London. This role carries end-to-end accountability for operational performance, site culture, compliance, and commercial delivery. You will lead from the front — building a high-performing team, ensuring rigorous safety and food standards, and driving operational improvements as the business scales. This is a visible, hands-on leadership role suited to someone who thrives in a fast-paced food production environment.

What You’ll Own

  • End-to-End Site Performance
    • Full accountability for production output, service levels, and operational efficiency
    • Delivery against daily and weekly production plans
    • Oversight of Production, Site, and Stock leadership teams
    • Clear KPI management across yield, waste, labour utilisation, and downtime
    • Strong coordination across planning, warehouse, and manufacturing functions
  • Safety, Compliance & Accreditation
    • Leadership of all Health & Safety practices in line with UK legislation
    • Embedding a proactive, safety-first culture across all departments
    • Maintaining food manufacturing compliance standards (transitioning from SALSA to BRC accreditation)
    • Management of internal audits and external regulatory/customer inspections
    • Ensuring risk assessments, SOPs, and training frameworks remain robust and current
  • Food Integrity & Quality Standards
    • Accountability for food safety and product integrity across the entire site
    • Close partnership with Technical and QA to protect traceability and compliance
    • Driving a “right first time” production mindset
    • Oversight of raw material controls, allergen management, and stock rotation processes
  • Leadership & Team Development
    • Visible leadership presence on site, five days per week
    • Coaching and development of direct reports to strengthen management capability
    • Clear structures for accountability across shifts and departments
    • Workforce planning, recruitment support, and succession development
    • Building a culture of ownership, engagement, and continuous improvement
  • Commercial & Operational Efficiency
    • Management of site budgets and operational cost control
    • Identification of efficiency gains without compromising safety or quality
    • Improvement of productivity, stock accuracy, and labour performance
    • Contribution to long-term capacity planning and strategic operations discussions
  • Continuous Improvement & Process Excellence
    • Leading lean initiatives and structured improvement programmes
    • Reducing waste, downtime, and operational bottlenecks
    • Implementing practical problem-solving methodologies
    • Promoting innovation and best practice within a food manufacturing setting
  • Reporting & Risk Management
    • Regular operational reporting to the Operations Director
    • Early escalation of risks relating to compliance, safety, or performance
    • Contribution to board-level updates on production, H&S, and quality metrics

About You

You are an experienced manufacturing leader with a strong operational backbone and the ability to inspire teams in a growing SME environment. You will bring:

  • A proven track record in senior manufacturing leadership
  • Experience within food production (chilled, fresh, or high-care environments preferred)
  • Strong working knowledge of UK Health & Safety and food safety standards
  • Demonstrable success managing cross-functional leadership teams
  • Commercial awareness with experience managing budgets and cost controls
  • A hands-on, decisive leadership approach
  • Strategic thinking balanced with attention to operational detail
  • Resilience, pragmatism, and a solutions-oriented mindset
  • Strong communication and organisational capability

Factory Manager employer: Lime Talent Ltd

As a Factory Manager at our scaling food manufacturing site in London, you will join a dynamic and supportive work culture that prioritises safety, quality, and continuous improvement. We offer competitive benefits, opportunities for professional growth, and a hands-on leadership role where your contributions directly impact operational success and team development. Our commitment to fostering a proactive environment ensures that you will thrive while driving excellence in food production.
Lime Talent Ltd

Contact Detail:

Lime Talent Ltd Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Factory Manager

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the food manufacturing industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy to reach out for informational chats. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, whether at a networking event or an interview, make sure to highlight your experience in operational performance and team leadership. Use specific examples that demonstrate your success in driving improvements and managing compliance.

✨Tip Number 3

Be proactive! If you see a company you’re keen on, don’t wait for them to post a job. Reach out directly through our website and express your interest. Share how your background in food production aligns with their needs, and you might just land an interview before they even start the hiring process.

✨Tip Number 4

Prepare for the unexpected! In interviews, be ready to discuss not just your achievements but also how you handle challenges in a fast-paced environment. Think about times you've improved safety standards or led a team through a tough project, and be ready to share those stories!

We think you need these skills to ace Factory Manager

Operational Performance Management
Food Safety Standards
Health & Safety Compliance
Team Leadership
KPI Management
Budget Management
Cross-Functional Team Management
Lean Methodologies
Problem-Solving Skills
Continuous Improvement
Risk Management
Communication Skills
Organisational Capability
Strategic Thinking
Adaptability

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Factory Manager role. Highlight your experience in food production and any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!

Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share your successes! Use numbers and examples to demonstrate how you’ve improved operational efficiency or led teams to success. We love a good success story!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Explain why you’re passionate about this role and how your background makes you the perfect fit. Keep it engaging and personal – we want to get to know you!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Let’s make it easy for both of us!

How to prepare for a job interview at Lime Talent Ltd

✨Know Your Numbers

Before the interview, brush up on key performance indicators relevant to food manufacturing. Be ready to discuss how you've managed production output, service levels, and operational efficiency in your previous roles. This shows you understand the metrics that matter.

✨Safety First Mindset

Familiarise yourself with UK Health & Safety regulations and food safety standards. Prepare examples of how you've embedded a safety-first culture in past positions. This will demonstrate your commitment to compliance and risk management.

✨Showcase Leadership Skills

Think of specific instances where you've successfully led teams through challenges. Highlight your coaching and development strategies, as well as how you've built a culture of ownership and engagement. This is crucial for a hands-on leadership role.

✨Continuous Improvement Focus

Be ready to discuss lean initiatives or process improvements you've implemented. Share practical problem-solving methodologies you've used to reduce waste and downtime. This will show your proactive approach to operational excellence.

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