Head of Manufacturing

Zest Food Jobs; Reading; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A rapid-growth food manufacturer in Reading is seeking a hands-on Manufacturing Manager. In this influential role, you will oversee the day-to-day manufacturing operations, ensuring efficiency and fostering a high-performance culture. Responsibilities include leading production planning, team development, and upholding food safety standards. This position offers the chance to impact a growing business while collaborating directly with passionate founders. Ideal candidates will have experience in food manufacturing and a practical approach to team leadership.

Benefits

Direct access to founders

Opportunity for progression

Supportive team culture

Modern working environment

Qualifications

• Experience in food manufacturing, ideally chilled.
• Hands-on and visible leadership style on the shop floor.
• Experience in an SME, start-up, or scale-up environment.

Responsibilities

• Own daily and weekly production planning to meet customer demand.
• Lead, coach and motivate production teams.
• Ensure compliance with food safety standards.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities.
• Partner closely with Founders on operational decisions.

Skills

Hands-on leadership

Food manufacturing experience

Problem-solving

Organizational skills

Continuous Improvement mindset

Team motivation

Job description

Chilled Food Manufacturing | High-Growth SME

There’s a certain type of role that doesn’t come along very often.

The kind where you’re not just “running a shift” or “keeping the wheels turning” but genuinely shaping how a food manufacturing business grows. Where your decisions matter, your voice is heard, and the systems you put in place today will still be standing years from now.

This is one of those opportunities.

We’re exclusively partnering with a fast‑growing food manufacturer that has built an impressive reputation in a short space of time. Backed by loyal customers, strong retail relationships and ambitious founders and is now entering an exciting scale‑up phase.

To support this next chapter, they’re looking for a Manufacturing Manager — someone hands‑on, practical and people‑focused, who thrives in an SME environment and enjoys building structure without stifling momentum.

The Opportunity

This is a broad, influential leadership role, sitting at the heart of the operation and working closely with the Founders.

You’ll own the day‑to‑day manufacturing operation end‑to‑end: planning, people, performance, food safety and continuous improvement. You’ll be visible on the factory floor, setting standards, solving problems and helping the team deliver consistently as volumes increase.

If you’ve ever felt frustrated by red tape, slow decision‑making or being “one step removed” from real impact — this role offers something very different.

What You’ll Be Doing

Running a Safe, Efficient Operation

• Own daily and weekly production planning to meet customer demand
• Balance efficiency, allergen management and service levels
• Ensure smooth changeovers, start‑ups and shut‑downs as the operation scales
• Deliver against key metrics: labour efficiency, yield, waste and downtime

Leading & Developing the Team

• Lead, coach and motivate production teams and shift leaders
• Build clear structure, accountability and standards on the factory floor
• Support recruitment, onboarding and training as the business grows
• Create a positive, high‑standards culture where people feel supported and challenged

Food Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Operate in line with BRCGS / SALSA / EHO and customer standards
• Ensure SOPs, CCPs and production records are consistently followed
• Work closely with Technical to maintain audit readiness
• Champion hygiene, allergen control and traceability across site

Driving Continuous Improvement

• Identify practical CI opportunities across labour, yield and machine utilisation
• Improve planning accuracy and production reporting
• Introduce simple, scalable systems that grow with the business
• Support NPD launches and process optimisation
• Act as the link between production, logistics, technical and commercial teams
• Provide clear production input into forecasting and capacity planning
• Partner closely with the Founders on operational decisions and growth plans

This Role Would Suit Someone Who…

• Has experience in food manufacturing (ideally chilled) in a production or operations leadership role
• Enjoys being hands‑on and visible on the shop floor
• Has worked in an SME, start‑up or scale‑up environment — or wants to
• Is practical, organised and solutions‑driven
• Can build structure and discipline without losing pace or culture
• Wants to grow with a business and take on more responsibility over time

Experience with major UK retailers, Lean / CI projects or factory scale‑ups would be beneficial, but mindset and attitude are just as important here.

Why Join?

• A genuine opportunity to shape and scale a growing food manufacturing business
• Direct access to, and influence with, passionate Founders
• Clear progression as the company continues to grow
• A close‑knit team where your contribution truly matters
• Modern production environment and an ambitious, positive culture

If you’re at a stage in your career where you want ownership, influence and the chance to build something meaningful, this could be a brilliant next step.

As a specialist recruiter in food manufacturing, I’m proud to be exclusively supporting this business — and I’d love to tell you more about the journey they’re on.

I'm contactable on [e-mail] / 01780 483999.

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