Production Stream Manager Maternity Cover, Production Stream Manager Maternity Cover

About the Role

We have an exciting opportunity for a Production Stream Manager - Maternity Cover to join our Manufacturing team in Carrickmacross. This role is responsible for leading a production stream through the application of Operational Excellence (OPEX) principles, ensuring the delivery of outstanding results across safety, quality, service, people, and cost. You will lead and develop a team capable of achieving business objectives while consistently meeting customer expectations. As part of the Pilgrim's Europe way of working, this is a site-based role, requiring strong operational leadership and close collaboration with cross‑functional teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Champion a behaviour‑based safety culture across the production stream.
• Promote the "Go for Zero" philosophy through coaching, engagement, and proactive safety leadership.
• Ensure risk assessments are completed and corrective actions are implemented effectively.
• Investigate near misses, identify root causes, and implement preventative measures.
• Ensure all team members are appropriately trained to carry out their roles safely.
• Monitor, report on, and continuously improve safety performance metrics.
• Develop and implement a production stream strategy aligned to wider business objectives.
• Use the master schedule tool to align operational activity with business goals.
• Regularly communicate progress against objectives and KPIs.
• Ensure all team members understand their contribution to delivering operational and business success.
• Lead recruitment, onboarding, and induction activities.
• Create an engaging environment through effective communication and regular team forums.
• Ensure training and capability levels are maintained to site standards.
• Develop team capability through coaching, mentoring, and OPEX tools.
• Encourage collaboration and strong cross‑functional relationships.
• Identify and remove barriers that impact team performance.
• Recognise and reward success while addressing performance concerns appropriately.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and development.
• Utilise visual management tools to communicate performance and improvement activity.
• Establish, maintain, and continuously improve standards across safety, quality, manufacturing, environmental performance, and asset management.
• Maintain performance data and identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for improvement.
• Drive process reliability and operational efficiency through structured problem solving.
• Implement and sustain 5S standards and workplace organisation.
• Use data effectively to support decision‑making and prioritisation.
• Maintain ATP performance and manage escalations effectively.
• Deliver projects in line with site objectives and timelines.
• Identify and eliminate manufacturing bottlenecks and operational constraints.
• Drive improvements in labour efficiency, waste reduction, and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
• Promote Right First Time (RFT) manufacturing and uphold the highest quality standards.
• Lead continuous improvement activity using OPEX tools, problem follow‑up processes, and 8‑Step Problem Solving methodologies.
• Prioritise improvement activity based on business value and risk.

About You

We are looking for an experienced manufacturing leader with a passion for continuous improvement, people development, and operational excellence.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Strong communication and influencing skills.
• Proven analytical and problem‑solving capability.
• Ability to influence behaviours, culture, and operational standards.
• Natural coaching and leadership ability.
• Experience in Continuous Improvement, Manufacturing Excellence, or OPEX environments.

Desirable Experience

• Experience working within an FMCG manufacturing environment.
• Understanding of safety, quality, environmental, and asset management systems.
• Experience leading manufacturing teams and driving performance improvements.

Qualifications

Essential

• Intermediate Food Safety qualification
• HACCP Level 3
• IOSH Managing Safely qualification (or equivalent experience)

Desirable

• Degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Science, or a related discipline

Why Join Pilgrim's Europe?

At Pilgrim's Europe, we invest in our people and offer exciting opportunities to develop your career within one of Europe's leading food businesses.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Career progression opportunities within a global organisation
• Ongoing training and leadership development
• Employee benefits and discount platform
• Wellbeing support programmes
• Collaborative and supportive working environment
• Opportunity to contribute to a culture of Operational Excellence and continuous improvement

Our Values

Our values are at the heart of everything we do: Availability ¦ Humility ¦ Discipline ¦ Sincerity ¦ Ownership ¦ Determination ¦ Simplicity

Application Details

Location: Carrickmacross

Department: Manufacturing

Reporting to: Operations Manager

Contract Type – 9 Month FTC, Full‑time

Apply Now

If you are a passionate manufacturing leader who thrives on developing people, driving performance, and delivering continuous improvement, we'd love to hear from you. Apply now to join Pilgrim's Europe as a Production Stream Manager at Carrickmacross.