Production Manager Job Description
Production Manager Job Description
Job Title: Production Manager
Contract Type: Permanent
Location: Bedford & Milton Keynes area
Client: Global FMCG Manufacturer
Job Reward: £55-65k Target Band
Days based role, 37.5-hour week
We're searching for a Site Production Manager, a highly visible and inclusive leader, reporting to the Site General Manager. You will inspire positive change and drive efficiency within a modern, purpose-built FMCG manufacturing site.
You will be at the forefront of leading a dedicated, highly skilled and diverse operations team. Your role isn't just to lead – it's to improve, challenge, transform, empower, mentor, and win every day.
Key Responsibilities:
* Provide leadership to diverse production, process and packaging units, leading and driving change through your shift managers and FLM's, ensuring efficient operations and adherence to quality standards
* Accountable for developing, executing and owning the long-term efficiency improvement plan for the factory
* Drive Autonomous Maintenance progress in line with the Autonomous Maintenance plan with engineering
* Direct line management of the production team members, up to 280, including performance management, absence management and reporting
* Work closely with the Site Engineering Manager to ensure asset reliability is delivered, through adherence to planned maintenance
* Own production plans for short- and long-term planning
* Use operational metrics to identify and analyse root cause, implementing corrective actions, to win every day
* Develop and own productivity roadmap, delivering cost savings to agreed target levels through operational excellence programme
* Management, alongside the Shift Leaders of the daily processes and labour to consistently deliver the production plan
* Develop and drive strategies for process optimisation, cost reduction, and meeting production targets
* Analyse production metrics for continuous improvement and lead initiatives to enhance performance
* Ensure the effective running of the Production function on a day-to-day basis to deliver the site's Production Plan in line with Group initiatives to achieve service excellence
* Responsible for driving productivity through effective monitoring of process performance to ensure the production plan can be delivered
Requirements:
* Demonstrable experience in managing large manufacturing operations, with a focus on driving performance and efficiency
* A natural leader with a history of inspiring teams and a commitment to safety and quality, undergoing cultural transformation
* Effective communicator with strong problem-solving skills
* Working knowledge of production logistics, supply management, and contract negotiation
* Strong operational & manufacturing leadership experience in the Complex Manufacturing/Food and Drink Manufacturing/FMCG related industry, with experience in TPM, 5s, LEAN, 6 sigma tools
* Demonstrated abilities in Analytics, problem solving and team building
* Ideally FMCG or food and drink preferred, open to time sensitive complex manufacturing
* Strong Production background, related degree desirable
* Must have experience of managing teams in a manufacturing environment
* Strong understanding of lean process and experience in lean manufacturing environments
* Strong/proven leadership skill and experience
* Can lead and inspire teams
* Has specific knowledge and experience of Operational Management
What's on Offer:
* Highly competitive salary and benefits programme including bonus
* Autonomy to shape and execute your vision
* A highly skilled, long serving production team
* A global employer, with Global career development opportunities
* Chance to work with an awesome established SLT team embarking upon the next stage of business growth