Factory Manager

First Recruitment Services Ltd.; Uckfield; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

24 days holiday

Company pension

Private healthcare

Bonus scheme after 12 months

Job summary

First Recruitment Services Ltd. is seeking a Factory Manager near Uckfield, East Sussex. The role leads a busy manufacturing site with a hands-on, results-driven approach to ensure safety, quality and productivity.

You will drive continuous improvement and team development in a fast-paced FMCG environment. The position is full-time, Monday–Friday, on-site with parking. Salary ranges £50,000–£60,000 per year, with a profit-based bonus after 12 months, plus 24 days holiday, pension and private

Qualifications

• Experience as a Factory/Operations Manager or similar leadership role.
• Proven track record in FMCG/packaging production environments.
• Strong leadership and people-management skills.
• Commercial awareness and KPI management; lean experience desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead andDevelop the operational management team to drive performance.
• Drive productivity, efficiency and overall factory performance.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives across processes.
• Manage production planning, resource allocation and site capacity.
• Collaborate with Engineering to maximise equipment reliability and uptime.
• Monitor budgets and deliver against KPIs; ensure safety and quality standards.
• Support cost reduction and operational efficiency programmes.
• Engage with senior leadership to support growth and strategy.
• Foster a positive, high-performance culture across the site.

Skills

Manufacturing leadership

Team development

Continuous improvement

Production planning

Stakeholder management

Safety compliance

Job description

We are very pleased to be working alongside our established, reputable and professional client as they seek to recruit a Factory Manager on a full time permanent at their busy site close to Uckfield, East Sussex.

This is an exciting opportunity for a proven operational leader from a manufacturing, FMCG or production environment who thrives on delivering results, developing teams and driving continuous improvement. You will lead a friendly team within a fast-paced and busy facility, ensuring high standards of productivity, quality, safety and customer service whilst helping shape the future direction of the site.

If you're a hands‑on leader with a passion for operational excellence, we'd love to hear from you.

Factory Manager

Uckfield - with plenty of parking available for all staff on site. Due to site located, it is essential to be a driver and have your own transport

Full time permanent role - Monday - Friday (Apply online only), with some flexibility on working hours.

£50000 - £60000 per year (scope to go higher), plus very generous bonus scheme available (after 12 months service) - this is based on company profit. 24 days holiday plus all UK bank holidays, good company pension and private healthcare (available after 12 months)

The role - Factory Manager

As Factory Manager, you will be responsible for the day-to-day leadership and performance of the manufacturing operation, ensuring the site operates efficiently, safely and in line with customer expectations. You will have three direct reports and around another 10-15 indirect reports.

Duties and responsibilities include:

• Leading, motivating and developing the operational management team
• Driving productivity, efficiency and overall factory performance
• Identifying and implementing continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing processes
• Managing production planning, resource allocation and site capacity
• Working closely with the Engineering team to maximise equipment reliability and uptime
• Monitoring operational budgets and delivering against agreed KPIs
• Ensuring compliance with Health & Safety and quality standards
• Supporting cost reduction and operational efficiency programmes
• Collaborating with senior leadership to achieve business objectives and support future growth
• Building a positive, high-performance culture across the site

Experience, skills and competencies required:

We're looking for a confident and experienced manufacturing leader who can inspire teams and deliver operational results.

You'll ideally have:

• Previous experience in a Factory Manager, Production Manager, Operations Manager or similar leadership role
• Proven experience within the FMCG sector, packaging or a related production environment
• Strong leadership and people management skills
• A track record of driving operational improvements and performance enhancements
• Commercial awareness and understanding of manufacturing costs, efficiencies and KPI management
• Strong organisational, planning and problem-solving abilities
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• A proactive, hands‑on and results-driven approach

Desirable:

• Knowledge of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies

Please note that no terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate on the grounds of a person's gender, marital status, race, religion, colour, age, disability or sexual orientation. Every candidate will be assessed only in accordance with their merits, qualifications and ability to perform the duties of the job