Production Manager – Food Manufacturing Location: Bishops Cleeve, Cheltenham (Fully Onsite) Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm (flexibility required to meet business needs) Salary: Competitive Our client, a rapidly growing and highly business, is seeking an experienced Production Manager to join their leadership team. Operating within the food manufacturing sector, the company supplies products to both foodservice and retail markets and is part of a larger, expanding food group with exciting growth plans. This is an excellent opportunity for a driven production professional to take ownership of daily manufacturing operations, lead high-performing teams, and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within a fast-paced environment. The Role As Production Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day production operation, ensuring products are manufactured safely, efficiently, and to the highest quality standards. You will lead and develop production teams, manage operational performance, and work closely with other departments to drive business objectives. Key Responsibilities • Oversee the daily production operation, ensuring smooth and efficient performance across all areas. • Lead and communicate effectively with production teams through regular briefings and operational updates. • Develop, motivate, and manage teams to achieve production targets, customer requirements, and company KPIs. • Plan and manage production schedules to maximise efficiency and minimise downtime. • Drive continuous improvement activities focused on productivity, quality, and cost reduction. • Work collaboratively with engineering and cross-functional teams to improve processes and equipment performance. • Ensure full compliance with food safety, hygiene, quality, and BRCGS standards. • Promote and maintain a strong health and safety culture, ensuring adherence to PPE and safe working practices. • Manage performance through coaching, training, development plans, and regular one-to-one meetings. • Lead and support Shift Managers and Section Leaders, fostering a positive and high-performing culture. • Handle escalated employee relations matters professionally and effectively. • Identify staffing requirements and support recruitment and onboarding activities. • Collaborate with wider business functions to ensure successful production delivery and new product launches. • Produce operational reports and contribute to management meetings. • Ensure all production records, documentation, and systems are maintained accurately and in line with regulatory requirements. Candidate Requirements • Proven experience in a Production Manager role within a food manufacturing environment. • Strong knowledge of health and safety, food safety, quality systems, and BRC standards. • Demonstrable experience leading and developing successful production teams. • Strong leadership and communication skills with the ability to influence and drive positive change. • Excellent organisational and planning abilities. • Strong IT, literacy, and numeracy skills with a high attention to detail. • Hands-on, proactive, and solutions-focused approach. • Ability to remain calm and make sound decisions in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. • Continuous improvement mindset, ideally with exposure to Lean manufacturing principles. Benefits • Excellent career development opportunities within a growing organisation. • Workplace pension scheme. • 28 days annual leave including bank holidays. • Additional holiday entitlement after one year of service. • Employee referral bonus scheme. • Recognition and reward programme. • Enhanced family-friendly policies. • Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support. • Casual dress environment. • Free onsite parking. If you are an experienced food manufacturing professional looking to join a growing business where you can make a real impact, we would be pleased to hear from you. Apply today for a confidential discussion
