Assistant Production Manager

Veetee Group; Rochester; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Veetee Group is seeking an Assistant Production Manager to lead the shift production team, ensuring high-quality FMCG output and compliance with safety and quality standards. You will drive daily targets, monitor KPIs, and collaborate with maintenance and QA to minimise downtime.

You will develop and coach a skilled team, manage attendance and training needs, and lead continuous improvement initiatives across the shift. A proactive approach to problem-solving is essential.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a production shift in FMCG or food manufacturing.
• Familiarity with ERP systems, especially Microsoft Business Central.
• Strong people management and team development skills.
• Solid knowledge of safety, food safety, and quality compliance.
• Proactive in continuous improvement and problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Oversee shift production to meet daily, weekly, monthly targets and allocate manpower across lines.
• Monitor KPIs (OEE, waste, downtime) with real-time data reporting.
• Record all production activity and materials in ERP (Microsoft Business Central).
• Manage stock counts and reconciliations (start/end of shift).
• Collaborate with maintenance and QA to minimise downtime.
• Uphold safety, HACCP, GMP and hygiene standards.
• Lead and develop shift workforce, managing discipline, attendance and training needs.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across the shift.

Skills

Shift leadership

ERP systems

People management

Safety & quality

Continuous improvement

Tools

Microsoft Business Central

Job description

The Assistant Production Manager is responsible for leading and motivating the shift production team to deliver consistent, high-quality manufacturing performance. This includes achieving production targets, maintaining efficiency and quality standards, and upholding safety compliance, while supporting a culture of continuous improvement across the shift.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee shift production to meet daily, weekly, and monthly targets, planning and allocating manpower efficiently across production lines
• Monitor and report on production KPIs, including output, OEE, waste, and downtime, ensuring accurate real-time data
• Ensure all production activity, raw material consumption, and finished goods are accurately recorded in the ERP system (Microsoft Business Central)
• Manage material returns and stock reconciliation, including start and end-of-shift stock counts
• Work closely with maintenance and QA teams to minimise downtime
• Enforce safety, food safety (HACCP & GMP), and hygiene standards, promoting a zero-accident culture
• Maintain audit-ready documentation, ensuring SOPs, checklists, and logs are up to date
• Support internal and external quality, safety, and regulatory audits
• Lead, supervise, and develop the shift workforce, managing discipline, attendance, and training needs
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across the shift, engaging CI team members in relevant projects

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience leading a production shift in a manufacturing environment, ideally FMCG or food production
• Working knowledge of ERP systems; experience with Microsoft Business Central is advantageous
• Strong people management skills, with the ability to motivate and develop a team
• A solid understanding of safety, food safety, and quality compliance requirements
• A proactive approach to continuous improvement and problem-solving