Manufacturing Manager

At Valeo Foods UK we bring together a family of much-loved UK food brands supported by the scale and ambition of a global investment partner. From Kettle’s bold crunch to Rowse’s natural sweetness, through to Matthew Walker and Barratt Sweets, our portfolio blends heritage, craft and category-leading innovation. Alongside our branded portfolio, we are also one of the UK’s largest suppliers of private label products, partnering with major retailers to deliver quality and category expertise that meets the needs of millions of households every week. As a business, we’re on a journey of transformation. We’re strengthening our operations, driving quality and investing in our people. It’s an exciting, fast-moving environment where heritage meets new thinking, and where every colleague contributes to shaping the future of food across the UK. Join us and play your part in building the next chapter of some of Britain’s most loved brands.

Location: Blackpool

Department: Operations / Manufacturing

Reports to: Factory General Manager

Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent

About the Role

We’re looking for an experienced and driven Manufacturing Manager to join our team in Blackpool. This role is central to delivering operational excellence, leading production performance, driving continuous improvement, and creating a safe, motivated, and high-performing workplace. As Manufacturing Manager, you’ll partner closely with the Factory General Manager to deliver the site’s strategic objectives, ensuring safety, quality, and efficiency targets are consistently achieved. You’ll inspire your team to challenge the status quo, embrace change, and deliver best‑in‑class manufacturing performance.

What You’ll Do

• Support the Factory General Manager in delivering the strategic vision and daily operational plan for your area.
• Monitor production performance to ensure operations are within plan; yield, wastage, energy, labour, and material costs, recommending actions where required.
• Lead improvement projects in line with the operations strategy.
• Ensure effective management control systems are in place across production areas.
• Reduce workplace accidents through proactive engagement and participation in the Valeo Site Safety Audit Programme.
• Maintain product quality standards through strict adherence to high manufacturing and hygiene standards.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure the site remains audit‑ready.
• Drive continuous improvement of Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and other key performance metrics.
• Champion corporate programs across Safety, Quality, Lean, Environmental and People initiatives.
• Build and lead a high-performing team through coaching, mentoring, and performance management.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in manufacturing leadership and best practice techniques.
• Experience engaging and mobilising front‑line teams toward common goals.
• Strong background in quality control, cost management, and health, safety & environmental compliance.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver operational excellence in a fast‑paced production environment.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Commercial acumen with a customer‑focused mindset.

What we offer you in return

• Matched pension scheme up to 10%
• Death in service
• Cycle to work scheme
• Retailer discount platform
• Staff discount
• And plenty more!