Title: Production Manager
Department: Operations/Manufacturing
Location: Sutton Forest Production Facility
Reports To: Managing Director
Direct Reports: Production Supervisors, Line Leaders, Production Operators

Position Summary

The Production Manager is responsible for overseeing daily manufacturing operations within the beverage production facility. This includes ensuring production targets are met in terms of volume, quality, cost, safety, and delivery. The role requires strong mechanical and technical acumen, people leadership, and a drive for continuous improvement to optimize processes and maintain high operational standards.

The ideal candidate will have previous experience in the beverage or food manufacturing industry, a technical or engineering qualification, and a proven track record in managing and developing teams within a fast-paced production environment.

Key Responsibilities

Production Management

Plan, organise, and manage production schedules to meet daily, weekly, and monthly production targets.

Ensure compliance with production standards, safety regulations, and quality assurance procedures.

Monitor production metrics (e.g., yields, downtime, output, OEE) and implement corrective actions to achieve operational goals.

Collaborate with the planning, quality, engineering, and maintenance teams to ensure smooth operation of all manufacturing lines.

People & Team Leadership

Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing production team, fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Conduct regular performance reviews, provide constructive feedback, and create individual development plans for direct reports.

Manage staffing levels and shift schedules to ensure optimal coverage across all production shifts.

Promote and enforce a safe working environment, ensuring all team members follow health and safety guidelines.

Lead daily tool box talks and maintain open communication channels with all staff

Continuous Improvement

Identify and drive initiatives for process improvement, cost reduction, efficiency gains, and waste minimization (e.g., Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma).

Champion a continuous improvement culture across the production team with skills growth scaled in conjunction with the Skills Matrix format, working within the scope of capability for each staff member.

Analyse production data and trends to proactively identify issues and develop solutions.

Technical/Engineering Oversight

Collaborate with Engineering and Maintenance teams to troubleshoot technical issues on production lines.

Provide input into capital projects, equipment upgrades, and new product introductions from a production perspective.

Leverage technical knowledge to optimize machinery performance and ensure equipment is operating at maximum efficiency.

Quality Assurance and Compliance

Work closely with Quality Assurance (QA) to ensure all products meet company and regulatory standards.

Support and participate in internal and external audits (e.g., HACCP, GMP, ISO standards).

Ensure all documentation and reporting related to production are maintained accurately and in a timely manner.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Production throughput vs. target

Labor and production cost management

OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness)

First-time quality (FTQ) rate

Safety incident rate

Staff engagement and retention

Required Skills & Qualifications

Qualification in Engineering (Diploma or higher in Mechanical, Industrial, or related field) or similar technical discipline.

Minimum 5–7 years of production/operations experience in beverage, food, or FMCG manufacturing.

3+ years in a leadership role managing teams in a manufacturing environment.

Strong understanding of manufacturing best practices including Lean, Six Sigma, GMP, and HACCP.

Experience with automated bottling/canning/packaging lines.

Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Solid problem-solving, decision-making, and analytical skills.

Ability to work effectively under pressure and adapt to changing priorities.

Strong technical aptitude related to production equipment and processes.

Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and manufacturing systems (e.g., ERP, MES).

Desirable (but not essential)

Formal Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or higher).

ERP system experience (e.g., SAP, Oracle).

Work Environment

Plant floor and office environment.

Occasional requirement to work extended hours and weekends to meet production demands.