Production Manager

Are you an experienced manufacturing leader who thrives on developing people, driving operational excellence and leading cultural transformation in a large-scale FMCG environment?

Join Arla Foods at Westbury and become a key member of the site leadership team. As LCO Butter Core Team Leader, you'll play a pivotal role in driving our operational excellence journey, developing future leaders and helping one of the UK's largest dairy sites achieve world-class manufacturing standards. Working closely with functional teams across the UK and wider Arla network, you'll influence performance, capability and continuous improvement across the operation.

How you will make an impact

Reporting to the Operations Manager, you will lead the Butter production area and support the continued implementation of the Line Centric Organisation model while creating a high-performing, engaged and safety-focused culture. You will lead through others, develop leadership capability and deliver sustainable improvements across safety, quality, delivery, cost and people performance.

• Lead, coach and develop a large operational team through Shift Team Leaders and technical specialists.
• Drive Line Centric Organisation capability, ownership and accountability across the production area.
• Deliver improvements in safety, quality, service, waste reduction and operational performance.
• Use operational data and continuous improvement methodologies to drive decision making and problem solving.
• Collaborate across Production, Engineering, QEHS, Logistics, Finance and People teams to achieve site objectives.

What will make you successful

You are an established manufacturing leader with experience leading large operational teams in a fast-paced production environment. You have a proven track record of driving performance improvement, building capability and leading change through structured continuous improvement practices.

Experience within FMCG, food manufacturing or other highly regulated manufacturing environments will be highly valued. Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, TPM, IL6S, IWS, APS or comparable systems will help you succeed. Strong stakeholder management, coaching capability and data-led decision making are core requirements.

Personally, you are an engaging leader who develops others, influences effectively across functions and inspires teams through change while maintaining high standards for safety and performance.

What do we offer?

Alongside a competitive salary, you'll receive annual pay reviews, pension contributions matched up to 6%, life assurance, flexible benefits, discounted products and access to ongoing development opportunities. This role provides significant exposure to senior operational leadership and the opportunity to help shape the future of manufacturing within Arla.

As a global dairy leader, we invest heavily in developing talent and promoting from within. You'll join a collaborative leadership team where continuous improvement, learning and innovation are genuinely embedded in the culture.

Would you like to join us?

If you're looking for a leadership opportunity where you can make a real impact on performance, culture and people development, we'd love to hear from you.

For further information please contact Oliver Hickson-Burr TA Partner

Application deadline30th August 2026