Interim Production Manager

Euro-Projects Recruitment Ltd; Oxford; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Euro-Projects Recruitment Ltd is seeking an experienced Interim Production Manager for a 3-6 month assignment in Oxfordshire. You will lead a small production team, take responsibility for day-to-day operations, and ensure production, quality and delivery targets are met while the business undergoes change.

This hands-on role requires fast credibility, practical problem solving, and strong communication with production planning, purchasing, quality and senior management to maintain continuity.

Qualifications

• Experienced interim Production Manager in SME manufacturing.
• Able to lead a small team and maintain production, quality and delivery.
• Comfortable working with senior leadership during transition.

Responsibilities

• Own the day-to-day production function and team.
• Provide hands-on leadership and direction.
• Ensure schedules and customer requirements are met.
• Monitor performance and take corrective action.
• Coordinate with production planning, purchasing and quality.
• Maintain health & safety and housekeeping.
• Communicate updates to senior management.

Skills

Production management

Leadership

Interim management

SME environment

Job description

Interim Production Manager – Manufacturing. OX1, Oxford.

• 3-6 month interim assignment, SME manufacturing business
• We are recruiting an experienced interim Production Manager to join a well-established SME manufacturing business on an initial 3-6 months assignment.
• This is a key interim appointment, providing additional leadership and continuity during a period of change within the senior leadership structure. The successful candidate will take responsibility for the day-to-day production function, leading a small manufacturing team and ensuring that production, quality and delivery requirements continue to be met.
• This is an ideal opportunity for an experienced Production Manager, Manufacturing Manager or Operations professional who is comfortable stepping into an established manufacturing environment, quickly understanding how the business operates and providing calm, effective leadership from day one.

This Interim Production Manager job role will involve:

Working closely with the senior leadership team, you will take ownership of the production operation and provide stability across the manufacturing function.

You will be responsible for managing a small production team and working closely with colleagues across production planning, purchasing, quality and the wider business.

The role will include:

• Taking day-to-day responsibility for the production function and manufacturing team.
• Providing visible, hands-on leadership and direction to the production team.
• Ensuring production schedules and customer requirements are achieved.
• Monitoring production performance, identifying issues and taking corrective action where required.
• Working closely with Production Planning and Purchasing to ensure materials, resources and capacity are aligned.
• Managing priorities across the shop floor and ensuring work progresses efficiently.
• Supporting communication between production and the wider management team.
• Maintaining appropriate standards of quality, health & safety and housekeeping.
• Identifying opportunities to improve production processes, efficiency and communication.
• Providing regular updates and management information to the senior leadership team.
• Supporting the business through a period of transition and ensuring continuity within the production function.

This is a hands-on interim management position, rather than a purely strategic role. You will need to be comfortable spending time with the production team, understanding problems at source and making decisions to keep the operation moving.

The Production Manager job’s will suit:

This assignment would suit an experienced manufacturing professional who can quickly establish credibility and take ownership of an existing production operation.

You are likely to have experience as a:

Production Manager, Manufacturing Manager, Operations Manager, Production Leader, Works Manager, Factory Manager, Interim Production Manager

You will ideally have:

• Previous experience managing a production or manufacturing team within an SME environment.
• Strong people-management and leadership skills.
• Experience working within an engineering, machining or technical manufacturing environment.
• A good understanding of production planning, manufacturing processes and delivery requirements.
• The ability to assess an existing operation quickly and identify immediate priorities.
• Strong communication skills, with the confidence to work with both shop‑floor employees and senior management.
• A practical, hands‑on approach to managing production.
• Good organisational and problem‑solving skills.
• The ability to remain calm and effective in a changing environment.
• Strong IT and reporting skills, with the ability to provide clear updates to senior management.

Previous interim management experience would be advantageous, but is not essential. We would also consider an experienced permanent Production Manager who is available immediately and is interested in a defined interim assignment.

This job is commutable from Oxford, Aylesbury, Bicester, High Wycombe. Oxfordshire and surrounding areas.