Production Manager – Food Manufacturing in South Kirkby

Production Manager – Food Manufacturing (make sure this is the title of the job with the "Food manufacturing" included please 🙂)

Location: South Kirkby / Pontefract
Salary: £55,000
Employment Type: Permanent, Full-Time

We are recruiting an experienced Production Manager to join a well-established food manufacturing business near Pontefract.

Reporting to the Factory Manager, this is a senior operational role with responsibility for leading production teams, managing Shift Managers and ensuring production targets are achieved safely, efficiently and to the required quality standards.

The role will suit a hands-on manufacturing leader who is confident managing people, performance, labour, compliance and continuous improvement within a fast-paced production environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and motivate production teams to achieve output, quality and efficiency targets.
• Manage and develop Shift Managers and wider production teams.
• Oversee day-to-day production operations and ensure effective labour deployment.
• Monitor production KPIs and provide accurate performance reporting.
• Ensure raw materials are used effectively in line with stock allocations and minimise avoidable losses.
• Support and promote a strong food-safety culture across the site.
• Ensure production activities comply with health, safety, environmental and regulatory requirements.
• Work closely with Engineering and Maintenance teams around breakdowns, repairs, upgrades and planned preventative maintenance.
• Support and lead site improvement, capital and modernisation projects.
• Coordinate compliance audits, inspections and remedial actions.
• Identify training needs and support employee development and succession planning.
• Communicate effectively with senior management and key internal stakeholders.
• Deputise for the Factory Manager when required.

Candidate Requirements

• Previous management experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Previous experience within food production.
• Strong leadership and people-management skills.
• Experience managing production targets, KPIs and operational performance.
• Confident managing labour and resource requirements.
• Strong understanding of food safety, quality and compliance.
• HACCP Level 2.
• IOSH Managing Safely.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Target-driven, proactive and focused on continuous improvement.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

The Opportunity

This is a strong opportunity for an experienced Production Manager, Manufacturing Manager or Senior Shift Manager looking to take on broader responsibility within a food manufacturing operation.

The role offers genuine influence across production performance, people development, operational improvement and site standards.

Salary: £55,000
Location: South Kirkby / Pontefract