Production Manager

Production Manager

An established manufacturing business in Devon is seeking an experienced Production Manager to take ownership of its production function and support continued operational growth. This is an excellent opportunity for a proactive leader with a strong background in manufacturing environments who enjoys driving performance, developing teams, and implementing operational improvements.

The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring production activities run efficiently, safely, and in line with customer requirements, while promoting a culture of continuous improvement across the operation.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate day-to-day production activities to achieve operational, quality, and delivery objectives.
• Create and maintain robust production schedules that align resources, capacity, and customer demand.
• Identify opportunities to improve manufacturing performance through process optimisation, waste reduction, and efficiency initiatives.
• Lead operational improvement and investment projects, including the delivery of capital expenditure programmes.
• Work closely with departments including Supply Chain, Purchasing, Engineering, and Quality to ensure smooth and effective business operations.
• Develop, mentor, and support production teams, encouraging engagement, accountability, and high performance.
• Maintain compliance with all relevant health, safety, and quality standards.
• Review production KPIs and operational data to support informed decision-making and drive ongoing improvements.
• Promote best practice methodologies and continuous improvement techniques throughout the manufacturing environment.

Candidate Profile

• Previous experience in a Production Manager or Manufacturing Manager position within a manufacturing or engineering setting.
• Strong understanding of production planning, resource allocation, and capacity management.
• Demonstrable experience delivering operational improvement projects and managing organisational change.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop teams within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Experience managing significant capital investment or facility improvement projects.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a data-driven approach.
• Leadership training or professional qualifications such as CMI, ILM, or equivalent.
• Experience supporting skills development and cross-training initiatives across production teams.

Desirable

• Six Sigma certification or practical application of Lean/Six Sigma principles.
• Continuous Improvement qualification or related operational excellence training.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package. £50,000-£65,000 DOE
• Private healthcare provision.
• Company pension scheme.
• Mobile phone and IT equipment provided.
• Opportunity to join a progressive organisation committed to operational excellence and employee development.