Production Manager in Ipswich

Production Manager Permanent £45,000.00 - £50,000.00 per annum Days Ipswich A rare opportunity to step into a senior operational role at a pivotal moment in our clients journey. With a massive heritage in designing and manufacturing high‑quality machinery for the food industry, they are entering a new phase of investment, modernisation and strategic growth. Their three‑year strategy is currently being written — and you will be expected to shape it. The factory is set for reorganisation, refresh and reinvestment. This is the ideal time for an ambitious Production Manager to influence how operations evolve, perform and scale. The Role As Production Manager, you will lead all manufacturing operations on site, ensuring efficiency, quality and safety across the plant. You’ll be responsible for production planning, resource utilisation, customer service requirements and delivering the monthly plan OTIF. This is a hands‑on leadership role where you’ll mentor and develop a team of leaders, fitters and production staff, driving a culture of accountability, empowerment and continuous improvement. You’ll also represent Operations at all senior management meetings, contributing directly to strategic decision‑making. Key Responsibilities Operational Leadership * Oversee daily production operations, planning, scheduling and execution. * Ensure optimal use of manpower, machinery and materials. * Implement and monitor KPIs to drive performance, efficiency and quality. People & Team Development * Lead, coach and develop production teams. * Conduct performance reviews and identify training needs. * Foster a positive, collaborative and high‑performance culture. Continuous Improvement * Identify opportunities for process optimisation, cost reduction and waste minimisation. * Champion CI across the plant, embedding structured problem solving and operational discipline. Quality, Safety & Compliance * Ensure adherence to quality standards and regulatory requirements. * Work with Quality Control to resolve non‑conformities and implement corrective actions. * Lead Health & Safety across the company. * Write internal risk assessments and complete RAMS for Service Engineers. Supply Chain & Inventory * Manage subcontractor relationships to ensure timely delivery of materials and components. * Work with Purchasing to negotiate contracts and achieve cost‑effective procurement. Strategic & Financial Contribution * Contribute to the development and execution of company strategy. * Manage the operational budget and ensure cost control. * Provide regular performance reports to senior management. About You You bring strong manufacturing and engineering experience, ideally from machinery, capital equipment or industrial environments. You’re a confident leader who thrives under pressure, solves problems proactively and drives teams to deliver. You’ll also have: * 5–7 years’ experience in a similar manufacturing leadership role. * Excellent communication, leadership and organisational skills. * A data‑driven approach to decision‑making. * Strong Health & Safety management experience. * The ability to challenge, improve and modernise existing processes. * A collaborative mindset and commitment to developing people. * A valid driver’s licence and willingness to travel when required. What We Offer * £50k salary + benefits. * 20% management bonus (with potential for more if company objectives are exceeded). * Senior team position with genuine influence with the opportunity to shape a new 3‑year strategy. * A factory undergoing investment, modernisation and reorganisation. * A supportive, collaborative environment with strong heritage and global reach offering professional development and training opportunities. To be considered for this position, please send us your CV ASAP by applying to this advert