Production Manager in Walsall, West Midlands (County)

Production Manager

Location: Walsall
Salary: £50,000 – £55,000 per annum
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00am – 4:00pm  
Contract: Full-time, permanent

Role Overview

We are recruiting for an experienced Production Manager to oversee the day-to-day operations of a busy manufacturing environment. This is a key management position, responsible for ensuring production targets are achieved while maintaining high standards of quality, efficiency, health and safety. You will lead and develop production teams, drive continuous improvement and work closely with other departments to maximise output and minimise downtime.

The successful candidate will have previous production management experience within a manufacturing or conversion environment, alongside strong leadership skills and the ability to motivate teams to achieve operational objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Overseeing the daily operation of the production department, ensuring all machinery and processes run safely and efficiently.
• Working with senior management to establish and achieve production, quality, waste and cost targets.
• Monitoring daily, weekly and monthly performance, identifying areas for improvement and implementing appropriate action plans.
• Driving continuous improvement initiatives to increase productivity, reduce waste and improve operational efficiency.
• Managing, developing and motivating production teams, including Team Leaders and machine operators.
• Identifying training requirements and improving employee skills and flexibility across different production processes.
• Ensuring staffing levels, shift patterns and holiday planning are effectively managed to maintain production output.
• Maintaining accurate training records and ensuring all employees follow established working procedures.
• Promoting a strong health and safety culture, ensuring all company policies and legal requirements are met.
• Maintaining high standards of housekeeping, cleanliness and workplace organisation.
• Working closely with engineering and maintenance teams to minimise machinery downtime and improve performance.
• Liaising with quality teams to ensure products meet required standards and customer expectations.
• Supporting the introduction of new equipment, production trials and machinery improvement projects.
• Implementing and maintaining structured improvement programmes across the department.
• Providing regular performance updates to senior management and contributing to wider operational planning.

Candidate Requirements

• Previous experience in a Production Manager or similar senior supervisory role within a manufacturing environment.
• Previous conversion experience is essential.
• Strong people management skills, with the ability to lead, coach and develop production teams.
• Proven ability to set targets, monitor performance and deliver against operational objectives.
• Experience implementing continuous improvement initiatives and improving production efficiency.
• Strong understanding of health and safety, quality standards and production procedures.
• Confident decision-maker with the ability to manage both strategic objectives and day-to-day operational challenges.
• Highly motivated, organised and commercially aware.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively across different departments.

Key Objectives

• Achieve production and output targets across all machinery and shifts.
• Improve productivity, efficiency and overall operational performance.
• Develop a flexible, multi-skilled workforce through effective training and development.
• Establish consistent procedures, standards and accountability across the production department.
• Identify and deliver cost-saving initiatives and ongoing improvements.