Production Manager (Manufacturing)

Production Manager

Are you a hands-on Production Manager who thrives on improving performance, developing people and driving manufacturing excellence?

We’re looking for an ambitious and commercially minded Production Manager to take ownership of a busy manufacturing operation. This is an exciting opportunity to lead multiple assembly lines, develop a high-performing team and make a real impact on productivity, quality, efficiency and customer satisfaction.

You’ll oversee a team of two Production Team Leaders and approximately 30 Production Operators, ensuring production runs smoothly, customer deadlines are achieved and resources are used effectively. From optimising production schedules and controlling inventory to championing Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the department’s success.

We’re looking for someone who can combine strong operational leadership with a proactive, improvement-driven mindset. If you enjoy solving problems, empowering your team and turning production challenges into measurable results, this could be the ideal next step in your career.

Production Manager Key Responsibilities

Production & Operational Management

• Plan, develop and manage production schedules to meet customer demand and achieve OTIF delivery targets.

• Oversee multiple assembly lines, ensuring workloads are balanced against staffing levels, production capacity and delivery commitments.

• Develop, implement and maintain clear work instructions across all assembly lines and monitor production performance, identify bottlenecks and resolve operational issues to maintain an efficient workflow.

• Drive improvements in OEE, labour utilisation, line efficiency and production output and monitor manufacturing costs and ensure resources are used effectively to maximise productivity.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, motivate and develop two Production Team Leaders and approximately 30 Production Operators and coach Team Leaders to strengthen day-to-day operational management, improve performance and support succession planning.

• Manage workforce planning, training and performance management and maintain accurate training matrices and records, ensuring employees are appropriately trained and cross-skilled across multiple production lines.

Continuous Improvement

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to improve productivity, quality, safety, cost and delivery performance and apply Lean Manufacturing principles, including 5S, Kanban, bottleneck analysis and waste reduction.

• Identify opportunities to reduce downtime, scrap, rework and unnecessary work in progress (WIP) and drive improvements in manufacturing processes, operational efficiency and overall performance.

• Monitor departmental KPIs and implement action plans to address underperformance.

Stock Control & Production Planning

• Monitor raw material availability and proactively resolve shortages that could disrupt production and maintain appropriate inventory levels, minimising stockouts, excess stock and obsolete materials.

• Control work in progress and finished goods to support efficient production flow.

• Work closely with the Warehouse and other departments to ensure materials and products are available when required and manage Engineering Change Notices (ECNs), ensuring product changes are communicated, implemented and controlled effectively.

Quality, Health & Safety

• Ensure products consistently meet the required quality standards and specifications.

• Work closely with Quality Assurance and Engineering to resolve issues and improve manufacturing performance.

• Maintain high standards of health, safety and regulatory compliance throughout the production department and ensure production processes and working practices support a safe, organised and efficient environment.

Reporting & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Own and report departmental KPIs, including output, efficiency, downtime, WIP, scrap, rework, stock shortages, training compliance and OTIF performance.

• Use ERP systems, Excel and other reporting tools to monitor performance and support informed decision-making.

• Collaborate with Quality, Engineering, Warehouse and other operational departments to achieve wider business objectives and undertake additional responsibilities as required by the Operations Manager.

Production Manager What We’re Looking For

• At least 5 years’ experience within a manufacturing environment.

• Proven experience managing production teams and coordinating manufacturing activities.

• Strong production planning, scheduling and workload management skills and experience with inventory control and stock management and confident monitoring and reporting KPIs to drive operational performance.

• Good understanding of quality standards and health and safety compliance.

• Competent with ERP systems and Microsoft Excel.

Production Manager What’s on Offer?

• Competitive salary of up to £47K DOE with a merit-based bonus scheme.

• Work-life balance: Monday to Thursday, 8:00 am–415 pm, and Friday, 8:00 am–3:15 pm - 39-hour working week, with an earlier finish on Fridays.

• 24 days’ annual leave, plus bank holidays and Christmas shutdown: Enjoy additional time off over the Christmas period

• Free on-site parking / EV charging facilities available on-site

• Pension scheme

• Performance-related bonuses: Annual bonus opportunities linked to both company performance and individual performance

• Career development: The opportunity to take ownership of production operations, lead a team and contribute to ongoing business improvement.

Ready for Your Next Challenge?

If you’re an experienced Production Manager who enjoys leading people, improving processes and delivering results, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply today to find out more about this opportunity and how you could make a difference to the manufacturing operation