Manufacturing Manager

WALLACE HIND SELECTION LIMITED; Southampton; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

22 Days Holiday + Bank Holidays

Job summary

Wallace Hind Selection Limited is seeking an experienced Manufacturing Manager to own production operations at a fast-paced FMCG site. You will lead a small direct team and a larger indirect workforce across a double day shift, liaising with supply chain, warehousing and quality teams.

The role reports to the Operations Director and requires hands-on shop-floor leadership, robust technical know-how, and a clear plan for safety, efficiency and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Proven Production/Manufacturing Manager experience in fast-paced FMCG.
• Experience leading multi-skilled production teams and MES systems.
• Strong leadership and succession-planning abilities.
• Hands-on on the shop floor and in planning meetings.
• Analytical with data (OEE, KPIs) to drive decisions.

Responsibilities

• People management, coaching and performance development.
• Plan, schedule, monitor capacity and KPI delivery.
• Oversee engineering, ppm, asset management and contractors.
• Ensure health, safety and regulatory compliance.
• Drive continuous improvement and lean initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Shop floor

Data analysis

Cross-functional

Communication

Job description

Are you an experienced leader from the food industry who wants to take ownership of our production operations as our new Manufacturing Manager? You will be managing and leading a team of 3 direct and 30 indirect reports across a double day shift. We are a multi-site FMCG operation in Basingstoke.

BASIC SALARY

Up to £45,000 dependant on your relevant experience.

BENEFITS

• 22 Days Holiday + Bank Holidays

LOCATION

Basingstoke

COMMUTABLE LOCATIONS

Hook, Fleet, Farnham, Aldershot, Farnborough, Frimley, Camberley, Alton, Andover, Thatcham, Newbury, Reading, Wokingham.

WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN US

• Brand new role - as our new Manufacturing Manager, you'll take on responsibility for the production operations. Own it and develop it with your knowledge and expertise in food manufacturing and food safety.
• We are growing quickly in headcount and turnover, so it is an exciting time to join us with strong development opportunities for you too

JOB DESCRIPTION

Manufacturing Manager, Production Manager - FMCG, Food Manufacturing

As our new Manufacturing Manager, you will be responsible for leading production operations including planning through your Production Manager, whilst overseeing engineering through your Engineers and driving continuous improvement and the Health and Safety, in your department, personally.

With a small direct team of 3 reports and an indirect team of circa 30 people, you will work closely with supply-chain, warehousing and quality and you'll report into our Operations Director.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Manufacturing Manager, Production Manager - FMCG, Food Manufacturing

• People management and leadership - coaching, training, mentorship, performance management and developing a succession plan so you can grow
• Production operations - planning, scheduling, capacity, labour and production KPI's
• Engineering and maintenance - own the ppm schedule, asset management, capital expenditure utilising the in-house team and external suppliers / contractors
• Health, Safety & Compliance of your production operation insuring everything is carried out safely
• Continuous improvement of your department - you'll identify opportunities to improve processes, SOP's, lean manufacturing and problem solving

YOUR BACKGROUND

Manufacturing Manager, Production Manager - FMCG, Food Manufacturing

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE

• Proven experience as a Production Manager or Manufacturing Manager in a fast-paced manufacturing, packing or FMCG environment
• Experience managing multi-skilled production teams utilising a production / MES system
• Strong leadership and people-management skills, with the ability to develop a team through a structured career pathway
• Hands-on, practical problem-solver comfortable working on the shop floor as well as in planning meetings
• Good analytical skills - comfortable using data (OEE, downtime, KPIs) to drive decisions
• Clear communicator, able to work cross-functionally with Warehouse, Client Services and Quality
• Organised, with the ability to prioritise competing production and maintenance demands.
• Recognised qualification in engineering, manufacturing or operations management desirable (e.g. NVQ, HNC or HND in Engineering or Manufacturing, IOSH or NEBOSH for H&S)
• Full UK driving licence - we have two sites within a short distance of each other

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE

• Nulogy software experience is advantageous
• Previously ran a production operation across a multi shift pattern
• Working knowledge of plant maintenance and a planned preventative maintenance schedule, breakdown response and contractor management
• Understanding of relevant H&S and statutory compliance requirements for production machinery (e.g. PUWER, LOLER)
• We will consider a senior Shift Leader / Manager ready to step up into this Manufacturing Managers role

THE COMPANY

We are a multi-site FMCG operation and support our customers with a range of services including storage, eCommerce fulfilment, contract packing, shrink sleeving, pick & pack, and distribution - letting you focus on selling, scaling, and being shelf ready.

We already work with businesses of all sizes, from start up brands to global FMCG players, delivering tailored, no-fuss logistics solutions.

PROSPECTS

Development - with business growth comes opportunity, people who work here wear many hats, but as the business expands, your opportunities will be endless - potential for progressions as well as your own personal development. To create something to look back at and say, "we did that". It will be difficult, but the rewards are there to be had.

It is highly likely you will have worked in any of the following roles and/or markets, and worked with the following products and/or services: Manufacturing Manager, Production Manager, Team Leader - food, BRC, FMCG, fulfilment, contract packing.

Wallace Hind Selection, alongside our client embrace diversity, champion equality, and foster inclusion to create a work environment where everyone belongs and thrives.