An exciting opportunity has arisen for a skilled Production Manager to join a fast-paced food manufacturing environment in Essex. This role will take full ownership of production activities across a busy site, ensuring operations run efficiently while maintaining the highest standards of quality, safety, and service.
The business produces a diverse range of ambient food products supplied to major UK retailers and foodservice channels.
What’s on Offer
- Competitive salary of £40,000 - £50,000 depending on experience
- Monday to Friday working days
- Enhanced holidays
- Pension scheme and employee benefits platform
Key Responsibilities
- Lead daily production operations, ensuring output, quality, and safety targets are consistently delivered
- Develop, coach, and motivate production teams to create a high-performing and accountable culture
- Oversee staffing matters including performance management, absence, and employee development
- Coordinate production plans and schedules to meet customer demand while maximising efficiency
- Monitor performance metrics and drive accountability through KPI tracking and reporting
- Identify areas for improvement and implement practical solutions to enhance productivity and reduce waste
- Maintain high standards of food safety, hygiene, and health & safety compliance across all operations
- Collaborate closely with departments such as Technical, Engineering, Planning, and Supply Chain
- Support and lead site audits, ensuring compliance with both internal standards and external requirements
About You
- Demonstrated experience in a Production Manager role within food manufacturing or FMCG
- Strong leadership skills with a track record of managing and developing teams in a fast-moving environment
- Practical, hands-on approach with a visible presence on the factory floor
- Solid understanding of food safety and compliance standards (e.g. HACCP, BRC)
- Comfortable working in a high-volume, fast-paced production setting
- Strong organisational and problem-solving abilities with a proactive mindset
- Experience working with major UK retailers and understanding of their operational expectations is advantageous
- Knowledge of audit processes and experience supporting site audits