Area Manager

Area Manager

Full-Time 33000 - 40000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Nestlé

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to ensure top-quality coffee production and meet customer demand.
  • Company: Join Nestlé, a global leader in coffee innovation and sustainability.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous pension, flexible holidays, and personal development opportunities.
  • Other info: Be part of a diverse and inclusive workplace that values your unique contributions.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a cutting-edge factory while developing your leadership skills.
  • Qualifications: Experience in manufacturing leadership; passion for safety and continuous improvement.

The predicted salary is between 33000 - 40000 £ per year.

Business Area: Nestlé Coffee

Location: Tutbury, Derbyshire

Salary: Up to £65,000 depending on experience.

Some Of Our Other Fantastic Benefits:

  • 17% car allowance (up to a maximum of £13,000.00)
  • Potential, discretionary annual bonus
  • Generous pension scheme – up to 12% contribution from Nestlé
  • 12 flexible days on top of 25-day holiday entitlement
  • 2 paid volunteering days
  • A focus on personal development and growth

We are looking for a Production Area Manager to join our team in Tutbury. This is an outstanding opportunity to develop your career with one of the biggest companies on the planet. As the Area Manager you will be responsible for leading a team of Line Performance Managers and a wider team of production operators to deliver agreed volumes to ensure customer demand is met!

The Nestlé Tutbury Factory in Derbyshire is one of the largest Nestlé factories in Europe after circa £500 million investment over the last few years. It is also the home of Nescafé and Dolce Gusto in the UK producing a range of beverage products. These are produced through a highly automated PLC controlled process plant and automated filling and packing lines. The factory is a Centre of excellence for Nescafé products around the world producing freeze-dried, spray dried and pod coffee technologies and is at the forefront of coffee innovation globally.

Manufacturing in Nestlé is all about ensuring the consumer receives a perfect quality product, at the right time and place whilst driving losses from our business to maximise efficiency and productivity. We take pride in championing inclusion and diversity. We proudly signed the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter, are committed to Disability Confidence, and have been recognised as a Times Top 50 Employer for gender equality for three consecutive years. Additionally, we are a headline partner of Diversity and Inclusion in grocery.

Your impact:

Reporting into the Factory manager, you will be responsible for leading, supporting and coaching your team of Line Performance Managers, Shift Leads and overall production team. You will focus on meeting key KPI’s & maintaining the legal requirements to safety, quality and cost standards. Other key activities will include:

  • Promote and maintain a safe working environment in compliance with the local legislation, promoting a Zero-accident mind-set through continuous coaching on safety behaviours.
  • Ensure that finished products are consistently manufactured meeting Product Quality attributes prescribed through the company QMS and meeting consumer expectations.
  • Promote cleaning standards in line GMP standards.
  • Contribute to the development & journey of the factory master plan.
  • Direct and coordinate the production and maintenance strategy in line with embedding the line centric approach.
  • Drive forward our continuous improvement activities through Nestlé Continuous Excellence and TPM, coaching of methodology to drive the right culture and behaviours.
  • Ensure ongoing smooth operation of factory through active employee engagement, a collaborative leadership style and good industrial relations.
  • Take ownership for talent management.

Your ingredients for success:

The ideal candidate for this role will be an experienced leader and people manager. You will ideally be experienced within a manufacturing environment, preferably food, but other industries will be considered. Other key attributes we are looking for are:

  • Strong belief in the importance of H&S within a production and manufacturing environment.
  • People management and development experience including employee relations.
  • Experience of TPM and Lean manufacturing is essential.
  • Ideally, you will be educated within a technical discipline. Preferably degree qualified but would also consider those qualified through extensive experience.
  • Understanding of modern maintenance & management tools.
  • You will be credible, approachable and results driven– able to gain the buy-in of key stakeholders on site and across the wider business and flex your style depending on the audience.

What You Need To Know:

Advert posting date: 24/07/2026

Advert closing date: 07/08/2026

We will be considering candidates as they apply and we will occasionally close job advertisements early in the event we receive sufficient applicants, so please don’t delay in submitting your application.

At Nestlé, our values are rooted in respect and we believe that embracing diversity and fostering an inclusive environment allows everyone to reach their full potential and drives innovative thinking. We strongly encourage applications from individuals of all gender identities, ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities, parents, carers and members of the LGBT+ community. Please let us know if we can provide accommodations to ensure your full participation in the application process.

To find out more about Nestlé’s commitment to DEI: Nestlé's Commitment to a Diverse and Inclusive Workplace

Right to work in the UK:

In accordance with Home Office guidance successful candidates will be required to evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. We have assessed this role and do not consider that we would be able to sponsor a successful candidate under the Skilled Worker route as the role does not meet the relevant Home Office criteria; the successful candidate therefore must be able to demonstrate their own right to work during the recruitment process without Nestlé sponsorship.

To find out more about your recruitment journey with Nestlé: Recruitment Journey | Nestlé UK & Ireland

Area Manager employer: Nestlé

Nestlé in the UK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises innovation and collaboration. With flexible hybrid working arrangements, employees enjoy a healthy work-life balance while having access to extensive growth opportunities in the rapidly evolving field of digital commerce. Joining Nestlé means being part of a forward-thinking team that values data-driven decision-making and empowers its members to make a meaningful impact on the business.

Nestlé

Contact Details:

Nestlé Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Area Manager

Join Local Manufacturing Groups

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Show Off Your Skills in Practical Spaces

Consider participating in workshops or open days at manufacturing companies. It's a great way to show off your hands-on skills in a real-world environment and can sometimes lead to job offers right on the spot. Keep an eye on announcements from local manufacturers for these opportunities!

Leverage the Power of Internships

While you're looking for full-time positions, don't underestimate the power of internships! Even if you don't see a direct role, securing an internship at a company can open doors to future jobs. Many manufacturing firms prefer to hire from their intern pool, so it's definitely worth considering.

Apply Directly Through Company Websites

When you find a role at a company you love, like Nestlé, apply directly on their website. This way, you’re more likely to be noticed by the hiring team. Plus, showing that you took the time to seek out their application process highlights your genuine interest in the firm!

We think you need these skills to ace Area Manager

Leadership Skills
People Management
Coaching Skills
KPI Management
Health and Safety Compliance
Quality Management Systems (QMS)
Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)

Some tips for your application 🫡

Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!

Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.

Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to Nestlé specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!

Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!

How to prepare for a job interview at Nestlé

Know Your Manufacturing Processes

Before you walk into the interview with Nestlé, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.

Technical Questions Are Key

Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!

Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills

Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.

Align Your Values with Quality and Safety

In a full-time role, companies like Nestlé value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.