Associate Production Manager- Arla Food Ingredients, Taw Valley

Arla foods; Devon and Torbay; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A global food ingredient company located in Devon and Torbay is seeking an Associate Production Manager to oversee production operations and lead a team to ensure compliance with management systems. The role demands proven leadership skills and FMCG experience in a dynamic environment. Responsibilities include managing budgets, KPIs, and collaboration across teams to drive performance and uphold food safety standards. Competitive salary and benefits package, including a Christmas cheese hamper, are offered.

Benefits

Competitive salary

26 days holiday & Bank Holidays

Annual pay review

Pension contribution matched up to 6%

Life assurance 4x annual salary

Access to discounted staff products

Training and development opportunities

Flexible benefits for additional annual leave

Cheese hamper at Christmas

Qualifications

• Solid FMCG experience in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven leadership skills with a track record of developing high-performing teams.
• Strong communication and interpersonal abilities.

Responsibilities

• Oversee production operations ensuring compliance with management systems.
• Manage budgets and KPIs to maintain efficiency.
• Lead and inspire the team for exceptional performance.
• Collaborate with engineering and finance teams.
• Ensure food safety and quality standards.
• Support audits and champion continuous improvement.

Skills

FMCG experience

Leadership

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Team-oriented mindset

Resilience

Autonomy

Tools

SAP

Management systems

Job description

Join Arla Foods Ingredients (AFI) at Taw Valley as an Associate Production Manager and help feed the world by transforming whey into high-quality food ingredients!

At Arla Foods Ingredients, we produce approximately 18,00 tons of permeate powder and 3,000 tons of why protein concentrate annually. These are manufactured using advance membrane filtration, evaporation, and drying technologies. Our ingredients are trusted by food manufacturers worldwide, and we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of quality, safety, and consistency in everything we do.

What do we offer?

• Competitive salary (salary discussed at application stage)
• 26 days holiday & Bank Holidays
• Annual pay review
• Pension contribution matched up to 6%
• 4 x annual salary life assurance
• Access to discounted products in our Staff Shop
• People agenda commitment to training and development
• Flexible Benefits- buy up to 5 days annual leave, reward gateway scheme- discounts with various retailers via my benefit platform.
• Most importantly- cheese hamper at Christmas!

How will you make an impact?

Reporting into the Head of AFI, you’ll play a key role in driving operational performance, setting strategic direction, ensuring quality and safety, and inspiring your team to deliver excellence every day.

Key responsibilities include :

• Oversee production operations, ensuring full compliance with management systems such as LIA, SAP, VIW, and COUPA.
• Manage budgets, KPIs, and resources effectively to maintain smooth and efficient operations.
• Lead, inspire, and develop your team to deliver exceptional performance and results.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Engineering, Finance, and EHS teams to drive operational efficiency and uphold safety standards.
• Ensure excellence in quality, food safety, and environmental performance, meeting all regulatory and company requirements.
• Support internal and external audits and champion continuous improvement initiatives to enhance process and performance.

What will make you successful?

You’ll bring solid FMCG experience and the ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate will demonstrate proven leadership skills with a track record in building, developing, and motivating high-performing teams.

Strong communication and interpersonal abilities, combined with a team-oriented mindset, are essential to foster collaboration and a positive working culture. You’ll demonstrate resilience, autonomy, and energy to drive results and make things happen. Knowledge of SAP or similar systems would be an advantage.