HEAD OF PRODUCTION

The Carling Partnership; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A food and beverage producer based in London is seeking a Head of Production to lead their production function. The successful candidate will manage the production processes, ensure product quality, and oversee a team while driving growth in a dynamic environment. The ideal applicant has experience running large manufacturing sites and a strong background in regulatory compliance, project management, and team development. This role is vital to scaling operations amidst a brewery relocation.

Qualifications

• Experience in running a large food or drink manufacturing site.
• Deep understanding of production processes and LEAN manufacturing principles.
• Proven track record in capital investment and process optimisation.

Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of production processes, ensuring quality and compliance.
• Support direct reports and empower team structures.
• Drive growth and scaling of production operations effectively.

Skills

Leadership and team development skills

Project management experience

Strong health & safety expertise

Exceptional communication skills

Strategic mindset

Flexibility and adaptability

Job description

Our client, a producer of high quality Kombucha based in London, is looking to recruit a Head of Production who will lead the production function, overseeing a talented team and ensuring the delivery of best-in-class product quality, safety, and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of the production processes, from brewing and packaging to quality assurance, engineering and compliance, ensuring products meet their exacting standards and customer expectations.
• Manage and support your direct reports : Production Manager, Compliance Lead, and Innovation Manager (responsible for engineering), empowering them to structure their teams effectively and deliver results.
• Drive the ongoing growth and scaling of our production operations, balancing output, efficiency, and quality as production volumes scale.
• Lead capital investment projects, working closely with your team and the Head of Finance to implement new equipment and process improvements.
• Own production performance metrics, budgets, and cost efficiency, ensuring production scales sustainably and profitably.
• Take ownership of the production side of an upcoming brewery relocation including production layout planning, space utilisation, and equipment installation.
• Champion health, safety, and quality standards across the business, embedding a culture of compliance, continuous improvement, and accountability.
• You will act as the senior production voice in cross-functional decision-making, shaping commercial plans, launch timelines, and growth strategy based on manufacturing reality.

Qualifications and experience

• While kombucha experience is not essential, you should be experienced in running a large food or drink manufacturing site, with a deep understanding of production processes, LEAN manufacturing principles, quality systems, and regulatory compliance.
• Leadership and team development skills, with the ability to structure teams effectively, coach managers, and drive high performance.
• Project management experience, particularly in capital investment, equipment installation, and process optimisation.
• Strong health & safety expertise, ensuring operational practices meet or exceed regulatory requirements.
• Exceptional communication skills, capable of working across multiple teams and functions to achieve business goals.
• A track record of delivering results in a high-growth environment, with experience of being accountable for balancing output, cost, safety, and people simultaneously.
• Strategic mindset, able to anticipate operational challenges and implement scalable solutions.
• Flexibility and adaptability, with the ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-growing business, including supporting the brewery relocation in mid-.