Production Manager - FMCG

Job Purpose

To lead and manage the production operation to ensure products are manufactured safely, efficiently, consistently and to the required quality standards, while meeting customer demand and business objectives. The Production Manager will be responsible for delivering production plans, maximising operational performance, developing people, controlling costs and driving a culture of continuous improvement across the manufacturing operation.

Key Responsibilities

• Production & Operational Performance
  • Manage day-to-day production activities to achieve planned output, customer requirements and production schedules.
  • Ensure production targets are achieved safely, efficiently and within agreed quality and cost parameters.
  • Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), including output, OEE, labour efficiency, downtime, waste, yield and productivity.
  • Identify production constraints and implement effective solutions to maintain operational flow.
  • Ensure effective shift handovers and communication between production teams.
  • Work closely with Planning, Engineering, Quality, Warehouse and Supply Chain teams to resolve operational issues.
  • Ensure production processes and procedures are followed consistently.
  • Drive improvements in line efficiency, throughput, capacity utilisation and overall equipment effectiveness.
• People Management & Leadership
  • Lead, motivate and develop production teams to achieve operational and business objectives.
  • Provide clear direction, expectations and performance standards to production employees.
  • Develop Production Supervisors and Team Leaders through coaching, training and regular performance management.
  • Ensure appropriate staffing levels and effective deployment of labour.
  • Promote employee engagement, teamwork and accountability.
  • Manage attendance, performance, conduct and employee relations issues in line with company policies.
  • Support recruitment, onboarding and training of production personnel.
  • Build a positive culture focused on safety, quality, performance and continuous improvement.
• Health, Safety & Environment
  • Maintain a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with all company and legislative health and safety requirements.
  • Ensure risk assessments, safe systems of work and operating procedures are implemented and maintained.
  • Investigate accidents, incidents and near misses and ensure appropriate corrective actions are implemented.
  • Ensure production teams receive appropriate health and safety training.
  • Promote good housekeeping and environmental standards throughout the production area.
  • Support the site's environmental and sustainability objectives, including waste, energy and resource reduction.
• Quality & Food Safety
  • Ensure all products are manufactured in accordance with company quality standards, customer specifications and relevant food safety requirements.
  • Work closely with the Quality/Technical team to maintain high standards of product quality and food safety.
  • Ensure HACCP, GMP and relevant quality procedures are consistently followed, where applicable.
  • Investigate production-related quality issues and implement corrective and preventative actions.
  • Minimise customer complaints, non-conformances, rework and product waste.
  • Support internal, customer and third-party audits.
  • Promote a right-first-time culture across the production operation.
• Planning & Supply Chain
  • Work closely with Production Planning to ensure production schedules are achievable and delivered on time.
  • Communicate capacity constraints, material shortages, equipment issues and other risks affecting production.
  • Coordinate with Warehouse and Logistics to ensure effective movement of materials and finished goods.
  • Support new product introductions, product changes and production trials.
  • Ensure production priorities are effectively communicated to operational teams.

Essential Experience

• Proven experience in a Production Management or senior manufacturing leadership role within an FMCG, food, beverage or similar high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Strong experience managing production teams, ideally across multiple shifts.
• Demonstrable experience delivering production targets and improving operational performance.
• Experience working with production KPIs, performance data and operational reporting.
• Experience of managing health & safety and quality/food safety requirements.
• Proven ability to lead continuous improvement and reduce waste/downtime.
• Experience managing budgets, labour costs and production efficiency.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, production planning and operational controls.

Desirable Experience

• Experience within a BRCGS, ISO or other audited manufacturing environment.
• Formal Lean Manufacturing / Six Sigma training.
• Experience of ERP/MRP and production management systems.
• Experience managing automation, high-speed production lines or complex manufacturing processes.
• Experience with new product introduction and capital investment projects.
• Relevant food manufacturing or technical qualification.

Qualifications

• Essential: Relevant experience in manufacturing/production management. Strong understanding of health & safety, quality and operational compliance.
• Desirable: Degree/HND/HNC in Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations Management or a related discipline. IOSH, NEBOSH or equivalent health & safety qualification. Lean Six Sigma or equivalent continuous improvement qualification. Food safety qualification where relevant to the FMCG environment.

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