At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead factory operations, drive performance, and ensure customer satisfaction.
- Company: Join Pilgrim's Europe, a global leader in FMCG manufacturing.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career progression, and comprehensive benefits package.
- Other info: Embrace sustainability and continuous improvement in a dynamic workplace.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a high-performing, supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in FMCG and strong team development skills.
The predicted salary is between 51000 - 65000 £ per year.
We have an exciting opportunity for a highly experienced Factory Manager to join our Kitchen Range Business Unit based in Huntington/Peterborough. Reporting to the Site Director, you will take full responsibility for leading factory operations, delivering against profit, performance, and customer expectations. This is a senior leadership role where you will drive operational excellence, lead high-performing teams, and ensure the factory consistently achieves its strategic goals.
As part of the Pilgrim's Europe way of working, this is a site-based leadership role, requiring visible, hands-on engagement with teams and stakeholders across the factory.
What You'll Be Responsible For
- Own factory budget, cost control, and variance management
- Deliver profit improvement plans (PIP) and strategic cost-saving initiatives
- Manage capital expenditure and drive operational efficiencies
- Lead all factory operations to deliver output, yield, quality, and service targets
- Ensure effective planning for peak and off-peak production periods
- Maintain strong customer service levels—internal and external
- Work closely with Engineering to maximise plant uptime and reliability
- Champion a strong Health & Safety culture, ensuring full compliance and continuous improvement
- Drive safety performance across the factory, embedding accountability at all levels
- Ensure the site is fully compliant with audit, legal, and internal standards
- Deliver against all technical KPIs, ensuring product quality and food safety standards are met
- Build strong relationships with key customers and support business development
- Lead and participate in customer and internal audits
- Lead and develop a team of Production Managers and operational leaders
- Build a high-performance, engaged culture across the factory
- Drive capability through coaching, training, and succession planning
- Partner with HR to ensure effective workforce and talent strategies
- Embed a structured Operational Excellence (OPEX) approach across the factory
- Drive lean initiatives and continuous improvement programmes
- Deliver improvement plans to enhance performance and efficiency
- Lead initiatives to reduce energy consumption and environmental impact
- Ensure compliance with environmental standards and internal policies
What We're Looking For
- Senior leadership experience within FMCG manufacturing
- Proven track record of delivering operational and financial performance
- Strong people leadership and team development experience
- Experience driving continuous improvement and change
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
- Strong commercial acumen and problem-solving ability
- Desirable: HACCP and/or IOSH qualifications
- Degree-level education or equivalent
- Experience in high-risk manufacturing environments
What Success Looks Like
- Achievement of factory financial targets and profit improvement plans
- Strong performance across safety, quality, and audits
- Improved production efficiency and customer service levels
- Engaged and high-performing workforce
- Sustainable improvements driven through continuous improvement
Why Join Pilgrim's Europe?
- Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package
- Career progression across a leading international organisation
- Ongoing leadership development and training
- Performance-driven culture that recognises and rewards success
- Collaborative, supportive senior leadership environment
- Employee wellbeing initiatives and support programmes
- Access to employee benefits platform and discount schemes
- Strong commitment to sustainability and responsible operations
Our Values
Our values shape everything we do: Availability, Humility, Discipline, Sincerity, Ownership, Determination, Simplicity.
Ready to Lead at Scale? If you're a results-driven manufacturing leader ready to take ownership of a complex operation and drive real impact, we'd love to hear from you. Apply now and take the next step in your career with Pilgrim's Europe.
Factory Manager in Peterborough employer: Pilgrims Europe
At Pilgrim's Europe, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Huntington/Peterborough where you can lead and inspire high-performing teams. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through ongoing leadership development opportunities and a performance-driven culture that rewards success. With a strong focus on sustainability and a collaborative senior leadership team, we ensure that our employees thrive both personally and professionally while making a meaningful impact in the FMCG manufacturing sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Factory Manager in Peterborough
✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups
Getting involved in local manufacturing groups or associations can seriously boost your visibility. These groups often have insider info on job openings and networking events, plus they help you connect with like-minded folks in the industry. Check out what's happening in your area!
✨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 Pilgrims Europe, 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 Factory Manager in Peterborough
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 Pilgrims Europe 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 Pilgrims Europe
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with Pilgrims Europe, 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 Pilgrims Europe 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.
