Factory Manager

Brook Street; Uckfield; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Employee ownership model

Holiday purchase scheme

Charity volunteering days

Ongoing training and career growth

Investment in facilities and equipment

Collaborative working environment

Job summary

Brook Street is seeking a Factory Manager in East Sussex to lead the day-to-day manufacturing operation, ensuring productivity, quality and customer expectations are met. You will drive performance and build high-performing teams in a fast-paced environment.

The role requires hands-on leadership, strong commercial awareness and a track record of delivering results. You will partner with engineering, production planning and quality to optimise operations and drive growth.

Qualifications

• Proven management experience in manufacturing or fast-paced production environments.
• Strong leadership with ability to inspire and develop teams.
• Track record of improving operational performance and efficiencies.
• Good commercial awareness and understanding of manufacturing costs.
• Excellent planning, communication and problem-solving abilities.
• Proactive, hands-on and results-driven mindset.
• Experience in co-packing, contract manufacturing or FMCG is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and develop operational management teams.
• Drive factory performance across productivity, quality and service targets.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage production planning, resource allocation and capacity.
• Collaborate with Engineering to maximise equipment efficiency and reliability.
• Oversee operational budgets and KPIs.
• Champion health & safety, food safety and regulatory compliance.
• Support wider business objectives and growth plans.

Skills

Leadership

Team development

Operational performance

Manufacturing costs

Planning & communication

Hands-on approach

FMCG / co-packing experience

Job description

Factory Manager

Uckfield, East Sussex
£50,000 - £60,000 DOE + Excellent Benefits

Lead Operations. Drive Performance. Shape the Future.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Factory Manager to join a successful and growing food manufacturing business based in East Sussex.

This is a key leadership role, offering the chance to take ownership of a busy production operation, drive continuous improvement initiatives, and develop high-performing teams in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

We are looking for a hands-on leader who combines strong operational expertise with commercial awareness and a passion for delivering results.

The Role

As Factory Manager, you will be responsible for the day-to-day leadership and performance of the manufacturing operation, ensuring productivity, quality and customer expectations are consistently achieved.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading, motivating and developing operational management teams
• Driving factory performance across productivity, quality and service targets
• Identifying and implementing continuous improvement initiatives
• Managing production planning, resource allocation and capacity requirements
• Working closely with Engineering to maximise equipment efficiency and reliability
• Managing operational budgets and delivering against key performance indicators
• Championing health & safety, food safety and regulatory compliance
• Supporting wider business objectives and future growth plans

About You

To be successful in this role, you will ideally have:

• Previous management experience within manufacturing or a similar fast-paced production environment
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and develop teams
• A proven track record of improving operational performance and efficiencies
• Good commercial awareness and understanding of manufacturing costs
• Excellent planning, communication and problem-solving abilities
• A proactive, hands-on and results-driven approach
• Experience within co-packing, contract manufacturing or FMCG environments would be advantageous

What's On Offer?

This business prides itself on creating a supportive, people-focused culture where employees are valued, developed and encouraged to contribute to the company's ongoing success.

Benefits include:

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Employee ownership model, giving employees a genuine stake in the future success of the business
• Holiday purchase scheme for greater flexibility
• Charity volunteering days
• Ongoing training and career development opportunities
• Continued investment in people, facilities and equipment
• Friendly, collaborative and supportive working environment