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.

Qualifications, skills, and all relevant experience needed for this role can be found in the full description below.
The business produces a diverse range of ambient food products supplied to major UK retailers and foodservice channels.
Whats 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
• Strong leadership skills with a track xbpsjku 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 audit