Production Manager

Production Manager

Holton Heath, Dorset

£40,000 - £55,000 + Benefits (Salary Flexible for the Right Person)

Are you a hands-on Production Manager who thrives on bringing structure, driving efficiency, and leading teams through periods of growth and change?

We're recruiting for a well-established food manufacturing business that has experienced significant growth through new contract wins and recent business changes. As a result, they're looking for a strong Production Manager to take ownership of the production operation, improve processes, develop the team, and help build a more efficient and scalable manufacturing environment.

The Role

Reporting into senior leadership, you'll be responsible for the day-to-day running of the production facility, ensuring products are manufactured safely, efficiently, and to the highest quality standards.

This is a highly visible role where you'll work closely with Operations, Technical/Quality, Purchasing, and Warehouse teams to improve performance while maintaining excellent product standards.

Key Responsibilities

Manage daily and weekly production planning and scheduling
Lead, coach, and develop production teams
Ensure production targets, KPIs, and customer deadlines are achieved
Drive improvements in productivity, efficiency, and operational performance
Maintain product quality and consistency standards
Oversee manufacturing processes from production through to packing
Monitor ingredient and packaging stock levels
Work closely with Purchasing and Warehouse teams
Ensure compliance with food safety, hygiene, and health & safety requirementsAbout You

We're looking for a strong character who is comfortable rolling up their sleeves and taking ownership. This business is growing quickly, winning new contracts, and presents a fantastic opportunity for someone who enjoys driving positive change and creating structure within a busy manufacturing environment.

You'll likely have experience as a:

Production Manager
Senior Production Manager
Head of Production
Manufacturing Manager
Operations Manager within food manufacturing

Ideally, you'll bring experience from:

Confectionery manufacturing
Chocolate production
Sweet bakery manufacturing
Similar food production environments

You'll also have:

Strong leadership and people management skills
Experience improving processes, systems, and operational efficiency
A proactive, hands-on approach
The ability to influence change and drive performance
Strong planning, organisational, and communication skills
Experience managing KPIs, production targets, and production performance

Why Apply?

Opportunity to genuinely shape and improve a growing manufacturing operation
Join a business experiencing strong growth and securing new customer contracts
Highly visible role with genuine influence across the operation
Autonomy to implement change and drive continuous improvement
Salary in the region of £40,000 - £55,000, with flexibility for an exceptional candidate
Chance to combine a rewarding career move with living and working in one of the UK's most desirable coastal locations

Location

The role is based in Holton Heath, Dorset, and would suit candidates within a commutable distance or those considering relocation to the area.

If you're an experienced Production Manager who thrives on improving operations, developing teams, and making a real impact, we'd love to hear from you