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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop large production teams in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.
- Company: Join a leading global food ingredients manufacturer with growth opportunities.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, flexible hours, and clear career progression.
- Why this job: Shape site performance and drive continuous improvement in a dynamic role.
- Qualifications: Experience in senior production roles and managing large teams in FMCG.
- Other info: Be part of a growing international business with a passion for food manufacturing.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 80000 £ per year.
Location: Banbury (commutable within 1 hour)
Salary: £80,000 + Bonus + Benefits
The Opportunity
We are working in partnership with a leading, privately owned global food ingredients manufacturer to appoint a Production Manager at a key site in Banbury. This is a highly visible and business-critical leadership role within a fast-paced food manufacturing environment. It offers significant scope for progression, with a clear pathway toward Plant Manager level over time.
The Role
This is a hands-on leadership position overseeing a large-scale blending operation running across multiple shifts. You will lead a sizeable team (circa 100–200 employees across shifts), ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality production performance in a demanding and dynamic environment. Reporting directly to the Plant Manager, you will act as their deputy and take full site responsibility when required. The role requires a high level of resilience, energy, and commitment, including being on-call and maintaining a strong on-site presence.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, coach, and develop multi-shift production teams (4 shifts, 40 employees per shift)
- Create a high-performance culture with clear accountability and strong engagement
- Deliver production targets in line with the Master Production Schedule, maintaining quality and service standards
- Ensure all plant and equipment operate at optimal performance levels
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives across efficiency, waste reduction, and process stability
- Maintain rigorous Health & Safety, hygiene, and environmental standards
- Ensure all training is current, effective, and properly documented
- Oversee accurate completion of manufacturing documentation
- Lead root cause analysis and resolution of technical or quality issues
- Work closely with engineering to maximise equipment reliability and minimise downtime
- Step into full site leadership responsibilities in the absence of the Plant Manager
About You
- Proven experience in a senior production/manufacturing leadership role within FMCG or food manufacturing
- Experience managing large teams in a fast-paced, multi-shift environment (ideally 100–200 employees or equivalent)
- Strong technical and operational understanding of manufacturing processes
- Deep knowledge of Health & Safety and food hygiene standards
- A resilient, hands-on leader who thrives in demanding environments
- Passion for food manufacturing and operational excellence
- Strong communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills
- Able to commit to being on-site and within a realistic one-hour commute of Banbury
What’s on Offer
- Salary circa £80,000
- Discretionary bonus (2%, typically paid at Christmas)
- Contracted 37-hour week (with flexibility required due to the nature of the role)
- Long-term career progression toward Plant Manager level
Why Apply?
This is a rare opportunity to step into a senior operational leadership role within a well-established and growing international business. You’ll play a key role in shaping site performance, leading large teams, and driving continuous improvement - while building a clear pathway toward Plant leadership.
Production Manager in Banbury employer: Will's Talent
Contact Detail:
Will's Talent Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Production Manager in Banbury
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend local events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that Production Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. We recommend practising common interview questions and tailoring your answers to highlight your experience in managing large teams and driving continuous improvement.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've led teams in fast-paced environments. We want to hear about your successes in maintaining high-quality production and ensuring safety standards.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and eager to join our team in Banbury.
We think you need these skills to ace Production Manager in Banbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Production Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing large teams and your knowledge of food manufacturing processes. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about food manufacturing and how you can contribute to our team. Keep it engaging and relevant to the role, showing us your personality.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of how you've driven continuous improvement or led successful projects in previous roles. We love seeing results!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Will's Talent
✨Know Your Production Metrics
Before the interview, brush up on key production metrics relevant to the food manufacturing industry. Be ready to discuss how you've used these metrics to drive performance in your previous roles. This shows you understand the business and can contribute from day one.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples of how you've led large teams in a fast-paced environment. Highlight specific instances where you’ve developed team members or improved engagement. This will demonstrate your ability to create a high-performance culture, which is crucial for the role.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Think of concrete examples where you've implemented continuous improvement initiatives. Discuss the impact these had on efficiency and waste reduction. This aligns perfectly with the company's focus on operational excellence and will set you apart as a candidate.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and resilience. Prepare to discuss how you would handle technical or quality issues, especially in a multi-shift environment. This will showcase your readiness for the challenges of the role.