Manufacturing Manager in Banbury

The Company: Newly Weds Foods is a leading, privately owned global food ingredients business and has been innovating since 1932. The European division is a market leader in the manufacture of coatings, seasonings and functional ingredient systems. Today, Newly Weds Foods is a world leader in food ingredient technology. A network of R&D, manufacturing and service facilities around the globe allows us to serve our customers' needs in more than 68 countries. But despite our size and scope, we've continued to be an independent, family-owned business answerable only to the demands of our customers. That's why we continue to invest in infrastructure, human resources and capacity to keep pace with our customers' needs and expectations.

The Role: The Blending Manager is responsible for leading the entire Blending manufacturing facility to deliver safe, efficient, and high-quality manufacturing performance. This includes ensuring all plant and equipment operate to optimum standards, production objectives are met, and teams are fully trained, engaged, and working to company policies at all times. This role plays a key part in driving continuous improvement, strengthening operational discipline, and supporting site-wide performance—mirroring best-practice leadership seen across major FMCG manufacturers. The role acts as the deputy Plant Manager and periodically leads the site.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and develop all shift personnel, ensuring responsibilities are carried out safely and in line with Newly Weds Foods policies.
• Build a high-performing, collaborative team culture with strong ownership and accountability.
• Ensure all Blend staff receive full, up-to-date training on equipment, systems, procedures, and Health & Safety requirements; maintain accurate training records.
• Manage the department to achieve production volumes, quality standards, and delivery dates aligned to the Master Production Schedule.
• Oversee the safe and efficient operation of all blending equipment, ensuring processes run at optimum performance levels.
• Ensure all manufacturing documentation is completed accurately, professionally, and in a timely manner.
• Lead resolution of technical or quality issues, working cross-functionally to identify root causes and implement effective corrective actions.
• Support continuous improvement activities focused on waste reduction, downtime, blend accuracy, labour efficiency, and process stability.
• Maintain full compliance with Newly Weds Foods' Health & Safety, Hygiene, and environmental standards.
• Reinforce safe working practices across the department, supporting risk assessments and safe systems of work.
• Work closely with the Maintenance Supervisor to prioritise engineering activities and ensure equipment reliability targets and downtime goals are achieved.
• Escalate critical issues promptly to minimise operational disruption.
• Act as the senior department representative and assume full responsibility for the plant in the absence of the Plant Manager.

Person Specification:

• Minimum of 5 years' production or manufacturing management experience.
• Proven experience leading fast-paced production operations and larger teams.
• Strong knowledge of Health & Safety and Hygiene procedures.
• Good technical understanding of manufacturing machinery and forklift equipment.
• Confident, proactive leader with strong communication skills.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and interpersonal abilities.
• Experience in FMCG or food manufacturing.
• Experience improving operational KPIs or driving performance improvement programmes.