Manufacturing Manager

pladis; Carlisle; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A global biscuits and confectionery company in Carlisle seeks a Manufacturing Manager responsible for ensuring operational safety, quality, and performance across a historic site. You'll lead a diverse team, champion continuous improvement initiatives, and collaborate on strategic decisions to drive company objectives forward. Ideal candidates will have proven manufacturing experience, strong leadership skills, and the ability to engage and inspire teams towards excellence within a dynamic production environment.

Benefits

Annual Car allowance

Private medical Insurance

Life Assurance Cover

Holiday Enhancement Scheme

Discounted gym membership

Qualifications

• Proven manufacturing experience with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience leading diverse teams to achieve goals.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver KPIs.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safe and efficient operation of the manufacturing area.
• Lead departmental safety improvement plans.
• Deliver quality improvement plans and maintain audit compliance.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Strong communication

Job description

Want to help us bring happiness to the world? Want to join an ambitious and fast growing global biscuits and confectionery business investing heavily in iconic global brands, infrastructure and people? Then this is the place for you.

As proud bakers and chocolatiers and custodians of iconic global brands, we don’t compromise on the quality of ingredients in our products or on the people we hire. We are looking for entrepreneurial spirits who share our passion for bringing happiness to our consumers and who embody our Winning Traits.

To succeed at pladis you need to be purpose-led , resilient and positive to succeed here because we expect pace and agility , we insist on collaboration and demand accountability. If that is your thing, then pladis offers global ambition, a clear Vision and roadmap for success, challenge, and unrivalled opportunities to learn and make an impact

Click “Apply” to get started.

Site introduction:

Our Carlisle site holds a special place in biscuit‑making history, proudly recognised as the oldest biscuit factory in the world, dating back to 1831. Today, it’s powered by a dedicated team of over 980 colleagues, each playing a vital role in shaping our heritage and driving our production capabilities forward. Home to beloved brands like Carr’s and Jacobs, the site operates 9 ovens and 19 packing lines, processing an incredible 42,000 tonnes of flour every year. Conveniently located near Carlisle Train Station, this historic site continues to be a cornerstone of British biscuit tradition, blending generations of expertise with modern innovation to bring joy to biscuit lovers across the UK and beyond.

What will this role achieve?

You’ll have overall responsibility for ensuring the manufacturing area operates safely, efficiently, and with a strong focus on quality, meeting pladis standards and customer expectations. You’ll play a key role in shaping the site’s continuous improvement strategy, supporting teams, and delivering medium‑to‑long‑term goals to keep Carlisle fit for the future.

As part of the Site Leadership Team, you will collaborate on strategic decisions, lead transformation projects, and foster a culture of operational excellence and innovation.

What will be your key deliverables?

• Safety Leadership: Promote a safety‑first culture and lead departmental safety improvement plans, ensuring compliance with statutory regulations and company standards.
• Quality Excellence: Deliver quality improvement plans, maintain audit compliance, and champion a mindset of “Right First Time”.
• People Development: Inspire, mentor, coach, and support performance to build a culture of growth, inclusion, and engagement.
• Performance & Cost: Work with teams to improve operating performance and deliver year‑on‑year cost efficiencies through continuous improvement initiatives.
• Budget & Utilisation: Manage manufacturing budgets and optimise plant utilisation for maximum efficiency.
• Innovation & Collaboration: Partner with Marketing, NPD, Engineering, and HR teams to deliver successful new product launches and strategic projects.
• Continuous Improvement: Champion Lean manufacturing techniques and Carlisle Excellence programmes to embed problem‑solving and root cause analysis.
• Leadership Contribution: Actively contribute to site leadership and strategic planning, influencing long‑term operational goals.

Bring your experience!

Essential

• Proven manufacturing experience with strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Experience leading and supporting diverse teams to achieve shared goals.
• Strong communication skills and ability to engage and inspire teams.
• Experience in change management and continuous improvement tools.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver KPIs.

Desirable

• FMCG experience.
• Project management and budget management expertise.
• Experience in unionised environments and leading culture change.
• Engineering understanding in FMCG.
• Operate as part of a collaborative senior leadership team.
• Led large teams and complex operations.

What will the interview process be?

• Initial Telephone call with Talent Acquisition
• 1st stage interview – 45 minutes competency‑based interview based on our company values and your experiences.
• Online Leadership Assessment
• 2nd stage interview – 60 minutes – a technical interview to understand your skill set/case study or presentation interview.

pladis does also use both Psychometric and Aptitude tests to support our processes so you may be asked to complete these as part of your process. Some processes may differ, but we will keep you updated!

What does pladis offer you?

• Annual Car allowance, paid monthly, with optional Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme (
• Annual Incentive Plan (AIP)– this is the business’s annual bonus scheme.
• Private medical Insurance
• Enhanced parental leave and a supportive phased return‑to‑work program to help colleagues balance family and career.
• Stakeholder Pension Scheme
• Life Assurance Cover ~ upon enrolment to Stakeholder Pension Scheme
• 25 days + bank holidays
• Holiday Enhancement Scheme
• 1 Volunteering Day per year
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounted gym membership – Carlisle and Chiswick only
• Discount and Cashback Scheme – make your everyday spending work hard for you on major high street brands, supermarkets and services
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme
• Financial Wellbeing Support
• Access to great training and development opportunities

Our Values

Purpose led – We’re energised and guided by our purpose to bring happiness with every bite

Agile – We’re ever evolving, we never stand still, always improving for our customers and our consumers.

Positive – We’re highly motivated optimistic, courageous, and we inspire each other to be better

Resilient - We’re persistent in the face of setbacks, quick to adapt, learn and move forward

Collaborative – We gain strength from operating as one pladis, winning and succeeding together

Best mix of ingredients

pladis is an equal opportunities employer, like every great recipe we’re a thoughtful mix. A happy and inclusive place to work that’s as diverse as our consumers and the communities we support, live and work in, all around the world. Where every voice is heard, and difference is celebrated. Where fresh perspectives and new ideas help us grow and thrive.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform key job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

pladis is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to hiring a diverse workforce. All openings will be filled based on qualifications without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, religion or any other classification protected by law.

We operate a strict Preferred Supplier List. If you are a recruitment agency and wish to submit candidate to be considered for this vacancy, you must have agreed to, and signed, our terms of business.
We will not accept CVs from any other sources other than those currently on our PSL. We will not pay a fee for any candidate that has not been represented by a provider on our PSL.