Job Title:
Production Manager
Job Purpose:
Our client is seeking a Production Manager responsible for full accountability of the operational performance of a manufacturing plant, including safety, quality, delivery, waste reduction, labour productivity, machine efficiency, cost control, and team leadership. The role leads production operations, develops high-performing teams, and drives operational excellence across all manufacturing processes. It plays a key role in supporting the long-term growth and sustainability of the business through continuous improvement and strong operational discipline. This position is identified as a succession role for future progression into Operations Management, based on performance, leadership capability, and consistent operational delivery.
Responsibilities:
- Take full accountability for production performance, including OTIF/MTOIF delivery, output vs plan, labour productivity, waste reduction, and overall operational efficiency.
- Ensure production plans are executed effectively within required quality, cost, and delivery parameters.
- Drive improvements in machine efficiency, uptime, throughput, and labour utilisation.
- Lead daily production meetings and ensure timely implementation of corrective actions.
- Identify operational bottlenecks and implement sustainable, data-driven solutions.
- Analyse production data and trends to support continuous improvement initiatives.
People Leadership & Culture
- Build and sustain a high-performance, accountable production culture.
- Develop supervisors and strengthen leadership capability within the production team.
- Manage attendance, discipline, performance, and labour productivity effectively.
- Ensure employees are trained, competent, and able to perform their duties safely and effectively.
- Maintain and update departmental skills matrices and succession planning frameworks.
- Break down silo working between production, maintenance, quality, dispatch, and warehouse teams.
Quality Management
- Ensure all products meet customer specifications and internal quality standards.
- Reduce defects, rework, waste, and customer complaints.
- Support root cause analysis, corrective actions, and CAPA effectiveness reviews.
- Ensure compliance with ISO systems, procedures, and documentation requirements.
Health, Safety & Housekeeping
- Ensure full compliance with health and safety requirements across all production activities.
- Promote and embed a zero-harm safety culture.
- Maintain high housekeeping standards throughout the plant.
- Identify and mitigate operational and safety risks proactively.
Maintenance & Asset Care
- Work closely with maintenance teams to improve equipment reliability and reduce downtime.
- Support preventative maintenance planning and execution.
- Ensure operators perform basic autonomous maintenance and equipment care.
- Identify equipment risks and contribute to improvement opportunities.
Warehouse & Stock Control
- Ensure accurate stock control, inventory integrity, and warehouse discipline.
- Ensure safe and correct storage of raw materials and finished goods.
- Support stock counts, investigations, and variance reduction initiatives.
- Ensure adherence to stock issuing and booking procedures.
Financial & Cost Management
- Analyse manufacturing costs, overtime, labour efficiency, waste, and downtime losses.
- Drive cost-saving initiatives without compromising safety or quality.
- Support budgeting and cost control processes.
- Improve operational profitability through continuous process optimisation.
Continuous Improvement
- Lead lean manufacturing and operational excellence initiatives.
- Drive structured problem-solving, root cause analysis, and process improvements.
- Identify and implement opportunities to improve efficiency, quality, and productivity.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- OTIF / MTOIF performance
- Production output vs plan
- Waste reduction percentage
- Labour productivity and discipline
- Machine efficiency
- Downtime reduction
- Overtime control
- Customer complaint reduction
- Stock variance reduction
- Safety performance
- Housekeeping audit scores
- CAPA closure effectiveness
Qualifications and Experience:
- Diploma or Degree in Production Management, Operations Management, Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field
- 7–10 years’ manufacturing experience
- 3–5 years’ experience in a production management leadership role
- Experience within FMCG, packaging, corrugated, print, or converting industries preferred
- Strong understanding of ERP/MRP systems and manufacturing KPIs
- Advanced Excel and data analysis skills
- Strong problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills
- Valid driver’s license.