Production Manager in Crawley

Role: Production Manager

Function: Operations | Production | Staff Management

Responsibility: Directly manage the manufacturing/production process, and floor staff

Reports to: Operations Manager

Location: Gatwick Head Office (Crawley)

Compensation: Competitive Salary. 20 Days Paid Holiday + 8 Bank Holidays

Role Purpose

Reporting directly to the Operations Manager, the Production Manager will take full ownership of day-to-day factory output and standards across powders and liquids manufacturing (mixing, blending, filling, labelling, pouching/bottling). Plan and run production to a tight schedule, maintain NetSuite ERP data integrity and work orders, lead the production team to hit KPIs, and ensure health & safety and food safety compliance (HACCP/GMP). You’ll work closely with Warehouse & Logistics and Purchasing & Supply Chain to ensure materials are on-site and the plan is executed to meet D2C, Amazon, wholesale, and international distributor demand.

Key Responsibilities

• Production Planning & Scheduling
  • Convert demand (White/Private Label, D2C, Amazon, Wholesale, international distribution) into a finite, resource-levelled production plan.
  • Release, close and complete NetSuite Work Orders (WOs); manage routings, standard times, and operations sequencing.
  • Balance changeovers vs. throughput; optimise line utilisation and labour deployment.
  • Maintain schedule adherence and plan attainment; rapidly re-plan around breakdowns, rejects, or late materials.
• Floor Leadership & People Management
  • Manage Team Leaders and operators across shifts; setting and tracking daily targets.
  • Recruit, train, coach, and performance-manage; run skills matrices and cross-training to reduce single-point dependencies.
  • Enforce good hygiene practices, PPE, and clean-as-you-go; sign off start-up/shutdown, changeovers, and line clearance.
• Health & Safety / Food Safety (HACCP) & QA
  • Own production H&S: risk assessments, COSHH, machine safety, near-miss culture, RIDDOR reporting.
  • Operate within HACCP plan; allergen management, label & batch verification and traceability.
  • Partner with QA/Technical on deviations, holds, and product release.
• NetSuite ERP Ownership (Production)
  • Maintain BOMs, item revisions, routings, standard run/pack rates, set-ups, and labour.
  • Execute MRP/MPS outputs with Purchasing; ensure WO backflushing, scrap capture, and timely WO closure.
  • Drive inventory accuracy with Warehouse (cycle counts, FEFO/FIFO, bin discipline) and real-time transactions/scanning.
• Materials & Inventory Coordination
  • Work hand-in-hand with Purchasing & Supply Chain to ensure raw/pack availability and call-offs.
  • Validate CoAs, shelf-life, and allergen status before issue; minimise shortages and expedite critical items.
• Performance Management & Continuous Improvement
  • Own daily/weekly KPIs; lead stand-ups and weekly ops reviews.
  • Implement LEAN principles to reduce waste and cost.
  • Standardise work, visual controls, and training documentation.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Warehouse & Logistics Manager: despatch readiness, OTIF, dock scheduling, space planning.
  • Purchasing & Supply Chain Manager: supply plans, MOQ/lead-time constraints, supplier OTIF.

Experience & Qualifications

Required

• Proven experience in food, beverage, nutraceutical, cosmetics, or FMCG manufacturing in a Production Manager or Senior Team Leader role.
• Hands-on ERP experience (ideally NetSuite): WOs, BOMs, routings, backflushing, inventory transactions.
• Demonstrable leadership of Team Leaders and multi-disciplinary operator teams.
• Confident with data, KPIs, and Excel/Sheets for analysis and reporting.
• Excellent communication across Ops, QA, Warehouse, and Supply Chain.
• Right to work in the UK.
• Strong production planning and scheduling background; comfortable with changeovers and multi-SKU environments.

Desirable

• Formal HACCP certification (Level 3+), Food Safety Supervisor, IOSH Managing Safely.
• Liquid filling, powder blending, pouching/bottling experience.
• Amazon/e-commerce fulfilment understanding (pace, cut-offs, prep standards).

Working Pattern & Environment

Full-time, on-site. Standard day shift with flexibility for early/late cover when needed. Occasional Saturday work in peak periods by rota. Hands-on role on the factory floor with frequent line walks and presence at start-ups/changeovers.

Documentation & Compliance

Ensure accurate completion and retention of Batch Manufacturing Records and Batch Packaging Records. Maintain SOPs, Work Instructions, and training records; control document versions with QA. Support recalls/mock recalls and mass-balance exercises to standard.

Schedule:

Site-based: Monday to Friday 08:00 – 17:00

The SIMPLE COMPANY is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment, where all of our employees have equal access to opportunities and everyone’s voices are heard. We respect and value all differences (seen and unseen) and strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds, which will be considered regardless of race, colour, religion or belief, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, pregnancy and maternity, disability, or age.

Due to the evolving nature of the business, the job holder may be required to carry out duties that are not detailed within this job description.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary
• 20 days holiday + bank holidays
• Staff discounts on products
• On-site parking
• Casual dress and energetic team culture
• Regular team events
• Opportunity to join a fast-growing, purpose-driven business at a pivotal growth stage
• Cycle to work scheme

Ability to commute/relocate:

Crawley RH10 9RW: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)