Production Manager

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Role: Production Manager
Reports to: Managing Director
Salary: £55,000
Location: On-site, 5 days per week
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Pattern: Flexible 2-shift rotation

Week 1: 07:30 - 16:30, Monday to Friday/ Week 2: 21:00 - 06:00, Monday to Friday

Role Purpose

As Production Manager, you will lead all manufacturing operations on-site, ensuring production targets are met safely, efficiently, and to the highest quality standards. You will drive performance through strong leadership, effective planning, and a culture of continuous improvement-empowering your teams across shifts to deliver outstanding results.

You will be a key link between operational teams, engineering, planning, technical, and quality functions, ensuring seamless communication and collaboration across the business.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, coach, and develop your shift teams, conducting regular performance reviews, mentoring sessions, and skills gap analyses.
• Lead a culture of collaboration, accountability, and shared success across shifts and departments.
• Communicate performance expectations clearly and provide regular feedback through briefings, team meetings, and one-to-one sessions.

Production Management

• Oversee daily manufacturing operations to meet agreed production plans and KPIs.
• Work closely with key personnel (H&S, Technical, Engineering, Planning, and Quality) to ensure alignment and resolve operational challenges quickly.
• Conduct daily audits of equipment, processes, and workplace standards, taking action to optimise Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and minimise downtime, waste, and scrap.

Continuous Improvement

• Drive Lean manufacturing practices, including 5S, and RCA, to eliminate inefficiencies and improve productivity.
• Implement best-practice manufacturing methods, training routines, and process enhancements to support operational excellence.
• Use data and trend analysis to make informed decisions, tracking and communicating progress on improvement initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to apply AI, automation, and data analyticsto optimise production planning, predictive maintenance, and quality control.

Quality & Compliance

• Ensure all products meet strict manufacturing tolerances and quality specifications.
• Maintain compliance with health and safety legislation, championing a proactive behavioural safety culture.
• Maintain the highest housekeeping standards, ensuring visual management and workplace organisation are consistently applied.

Strategic Contribution

• Contribute to the development and execution of a best-practice manufacturing strategy that supports business growth and profitability.
• Collaborate on change management initiatives to improve operational agility and resilience.
• Identify and deliver cost savings through waste reduction, process improvements, and smarter resource utilisation.

About You

Qualifications & Training

• IOSH Managing Safely / NEBOSH certification
• NVQ/SVQ in Manufacturing Management or Team Leadership
• ILM or CMI Level 3-7 in Leadership & Management
• Lean Six Sigma Green or Black Belt

• Awareness training or certification in AI, data analytics, or digital manufacturing (desirable)
• Awareness training in sustainability, carbon reduction, or environmental management qualifications (desirable)

Experience

• Minimum 5 years' experience in a comparable leadership role within manufacturing or industrial environments.
• Proven track record in delivering measurable performance improvements.
• Demonstrated success in leading diverse teams in a fast-paced, 24/7 operational environment.
• Experience managing change initiatives.

Skills & Knowledge

• Engineering background (desirable).
• Strong understanding of automated production and warehousing systems.
• Skilled in Lean tools, Kaizen, Six Sigma, and Root Cause Analysis.
• Proficient in MS Office and manufacturing data capture systems.
• Awareness of sustainable manufacturing techniques.

Personal Attributes

• Exceptional communicator with the ability to influence and engage at all levels.
• Highly organised with strong problem-solving skills.
• Results-driven, with a continuous improvement, innovative and systems thinking mindset.
• Collaborative and approachable, with strong people management skills.
• Creative and solutions-focused, able to challenge established practices constructively.
• Committed to fairness, professionalism, and timely resolution of issues.