At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team in food production, ensuring quality and efficiency.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking organisation in the food and drinks manufacturing sector.
- Benefits: Enjoy career growth, hands-on leadership, and a supportive work culture.
- Other info: Be part of a company that values its people and invests in their development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while collaborating with diverse teams in a positive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in food manufacturing leadership and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Overview
I'm partnering with an ambitious and expanding food manufacturer in West London that has reached an exciting point in its journey. As the business continues to grow, they're looking to appoint a hands‑on Production Manager who can help shape the next chapter of their manufacturing operation.
What You'll Be Doing
Leadership & Team Development
- Lead, coach, and develop Production Managers and Assistant Managers across multiple shifts.
- Create a culture of accountability, engagement, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
- Conduct regular performance reviews, appraisals, and 1‑2‑1s to support development and succession planning.
- Ensure clear communication and alignment between day and night shift operations.
Driving Operational Excellence
- Take ownership of daily production performance, ensuring targets for output, yield, waste, labour efficiency, and service levels are achieved.
- Maintain a strong factory‑floor presence, supporting teams and resolving operational challenges in real time.
- Identify opportunities to improve productivity, reduce downtime, and optimise manufacturing performance.
- Ensure production plans are executed effectively while responding to changing business demands.
Food Safety, Quality & Compliance
- Champion the highest standards of food safety, quality, and legality across the operation.
- Ensure full compliance with BRC, HACCP, customer requirements, and internal quality systems.
- Work closely with Technical and QA teams to maintain exceptional standards.
- Support audits, investigations, corrective actions, and continuous compliance improvement.
Health & Safety
- Promote a strong safety culture throughout the production function.
- Ensure policies, procedures, and risk assessments are embedded into everyday operations.
- Lead accident prevention initiatives and take ownership of Health & Safety performance indicators.
Continuous Improvement
- Drive lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives across production.
- Review existing processes and implement best practices to improve efficiency.
- Identify opportunities to improve labour utilisation, process flow, equipment performance, and operational effectiveness.
- Play an active role in supporting the company's growth journey through operational excellence.
What We're Looking For
Essential Experience
- Proven leadership experience within food manufacturing, ideally in a senior production, shift management, or operational leadership role.
- Strong understanding of BRC, HACCP, food safety, and quality systems.
- Experience leading large teams across multiple shifts.
- A track record of delivering results in fast‑paced manufacturing environments.
- Strong communication, leadership, and people management skills.
- Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office and production management systems.
Desirable Experience
- Experience within chilled or high‑care food manufacturing.
- Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma knowledge and experience.
- IOSH or NEBOSH qualifications.
- Experience supplying major retailers and working within their audit standards and expectations.
The Person
This role requires someone who is as comfortable rolling up their sleeves on the factory floor as they are reviewing performance data and driving strategic improvements. You'll be a visible and engaging leader who enjoys developing people, solving problems, and making things better every day. Commercially aware, operationally strong, and passionate about food manufacturing, you'll thrive in an environment where your ideas are welcomed and your contribution genuinely matters.
Why This Opportunity?
The real attraction here is the future. This is a growing SME where you'll have the chance to make a visible impact, influence the direction of the operation, and progress your career as the business continues to expand. If you're looking for a role where your contribution will be recognised, your voice will be heard, and your career can develop alongside an ambitious food manufacturing business, I'd love to tell you more.
Production Manager employer: Zest Recruitment
Join a leading food manufacturer in Newark, where you will thrive in a modern, well-invested facility that prioritises ongoing training and development. Our supportive engineering team fosters a collaborative work culture, ensuring that you have the resources and encouragement needed to excel in your role as a Multi-Skilled Engineer, while contributing to meaningful projects that drive continuous improvement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Production Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in food manufacturing and operational excellence. This knowledge will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to staying ahead in the industry.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the food and drinks manufacturing sector. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with others who can provide insights or even refer you to opportunities at companies like ours.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've led teams through change or improved production processes in your previous roles. Being able to share tangible results will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership style by highlighting your ability to motivate and engage teams. Think about how you can convey your people-focused approach during conversations with us, as this aligns perfectly with our company culture.
We think you need these skills to ace Production Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in food manufacturing and operational leadership. Emphasise your achievements in previous roles, particularly those that demonstrate your ability to lead teams and drive change.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Write a cover letter that showcases your leadership style and problem-solving mindset. Use specific examples from your past experiences to illustrate how you can contribute to the company's high-performance culture.
Highlight Cross-Functional Experience:In your application, mention any experience you have working with cross-functional teams, such as engineering or quality departments. This will show that you understand the importance of collaboration in achieving production goals.
Showcase Your People Skills:Demonstrate your ability to motivate and engage teams in your application. Include examples of how you've successfully coached team members or led training initiatives to improve performance and foster a positive team culture.
How to prepare for a job interview at Zest Recruitment
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Production Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, focusing on how you motivated them and achieved production targets.
✨Understand Cross-Functional Collaboration
Familiarise yourself with how different departments like engineering, quality, and warehousing interact within the production process. Be ready to discuss how you can facilitate collaboration and improve communication between these teams.
✨Emphasise Problem-Solving Abilities
The role requires a proactive approach to problem-solving. Think of specific instances where you've identified issues and implemented effective solutions, especially in a fast-paced environment.
✨Align with Company Culture
Research the company's values and culture. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs, particularly around being positive, solutions-driven, and committed to growth.
