At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead food manufacturing operations and ensure compliance with safety and quality standards.
- Company: Fast-growing and innovative food manufacturing business.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a team that values accountability and fosters a culture of innovation.
- Why this job: Shape operational excellence and drive continuous improvement in a thriving industry.
- Qualifications: Experience in food manufacturing leadership and strong knowledge of food safety standards.
Our client, a fast-growing and innovative food manufacturing business, is seeking an experienced and commercially focused Manufacturing Manager to lead end-to-end site operations.
This is a senior leadership role with full accountability for manufacturing, logistics, food safety compliance, health & safety, planning, maintenance, and continuous improvement across the operation.
This position offers an exciting opportunity to shape operational excellence within a dynamic and scaling environment.
Job Role
Reporting to the senior leadership team, the Manufacturing Manager will take full ownership of production and logistics performance, ensuring safe, compliant, efficient, and cost-effective operations.
You will lead site compliance (SALSA & BRC), production planning, labour management, maintenance strategy, and supply chain coordination, embedding structure, accountability, and a culture of continuous improvement across the business.
Responsibilities
- Act as site lead for SALSA & BRC certification, audits, corrective actions, and ongoing compliance.
- Ensure HACCP systems, allergen controls, traceability, and recall readiness are robust and maintained.
- Promote and embed a strong food safety and quality culture across the site.
- Ensure full compliance with health & safety legislation and internal policies.
- Conduct risk assessments, accident investigations, and implement corrective actions.
- Develop and manage short- and medium-term production plans aligned to demand forecasts.
- Balance labour, capacity, and materials to optimise output and efficiency.
- Monitor daily production performance and resolve operational bottlenecks.
- Coordinate inbound materials and outbound finished goods to maintain OTIF performance.
- Manage supplier performance, warehousing standards, stock accuracy, and FIFO compliance.
- Lead labour planning including recruitment, onboarding, training, performance management, and rota planning.
- Oversee preventative and reactive maintenance programmes to maximise equipment reliability and uptime.
- Manage maintenance contractors and support capital expenditure planning.
- Monitor and improve KPIs including yield, waste, labour efficiency, downtime, and cost per unit.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance productivity and margin.
- Develop SOPs and embed operational discipline across manufacturing and logistics teams.
- Provide strong, visible leadership and foster a culture of accountability and ownership.
- Personal Profile
- Proven experience in food manufacturing operations leadership.
- Strong working knowledge of SALSA, BRC, or equivalent food safety standards.
- Demonstrated people leadership and team development capability.
- Experience in production planning, supply chain coordination, and cost control.
- Strong understanding of health & safety legislation and compliance.
- Hands-on, structured, and solutions-focused approach.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Commercially aware with experience managing operational budgets.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders.
- Continuous improvement mindset with a track record of driving measurable results.
- Ref Code: CV13324
To apply, please send your comprehensive CV in strict confidence, quoting the reference above and for the attention of Jon Hemming-Nash.
Please include current salary details within your application.
Due to high response levels, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
If you have not received a response within one week, regrettably your application has not been successful on this occasion
Manufacturing Manager in Chelmsford employer: The People Co.
Join a forward-thinking food manufacturing group that prioritises food safety, supplier quality, and sustainable sourcing. With a strong emphasis on collaboration and continuous improvement, this company offers a dynamic work culture where your expertise can drive meaningful change across multiple UK sites. Employees benefit from professional growth opportunities, a commitment to ethical practices, and the chance to make a significant impact on the supply chain's resilience and responsibility.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Manufacturing Manager in Chelmsford
✨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 The People Co., 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 Manufacturing Manager in Chelmsford
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 The People Co. 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 The People Co.
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with The People Co., 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 The People Co. 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.
