Production Area Manager

Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I; Coleford; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I is seeking a Production/Operations Lead to oversee multiple production lines at the Coleford site, driving safety, quality, delivery, cost and sustainability improvements. You will lead a team, manage budgets, and embed a culture of continuous improvement.

The role requires strong leadership, a track record in FMCG manufacturing, and experience with Lean/Six Sigma, TPM and SAP. You will work across cross-functional teams to deliver transformational change.

Qualifications

• HND or degree in a numerate discipline or ops management
• Formal Continuous Improvement qualification (Six Sigma Green Belt)
• Experience in FMCG high-volume manufacturing
• Strong leadership and people management skills
• Knowledge of health & safety, quality systems and Lean/Six Sigma
• Proven ability to drive operational excellence
• Experience with TPM principles
• Familiarity with SAP production IT systems
• Experience managing multi-shift teams
• Advanced coaching and conflict management

Responsibilities

• Lead and ensure safety compliance through Zero Harm and Just & Fair culture
• Drive product quality and audits, ensure compliance with quality systems
• Manage delivery performance across lines and improve OEE
• Develop people through coaching, performance management and succession planning
• Control operational costs via efficiency, waste reduction and budgets
• Champion continuous improvement using Monozukuri Way and values
• Ensure SOPs, risk assessments and manufacturing records compliance
• Collaborate with Engineering, Planning, Brand, and Commercial teams
• Manage transformational change in a multi-line environment
• Balance performance across safety, quality, delivery, cost, sustainability and people

Skills

Safety leadership

People management

Continuous improvement

Lean/Six Sigma

TPM

SAP

Cost management

Coaching

Education

HND or Degree in a numerate discipline

Continuous Improvement qualification (e.g., Six Sigma Green Belt)

Tools

SAP

Job description

Suntory is a fast moving, agile and entrepreneurial business that is home to some of the nations most loved brands. The Suntory Group is one of the largest soft drinks companies and among the world’s leading consumer products companies. We offer a uniquely diverse portfolio of beverages enjoyed by millions across the globe

About your role

The purpose of this position is: Oversee multiple production lines to ensure performance across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, Sustainability, People and Culture, driving operational excellence and transformational change at the Coleford site.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and ensure safety compliance through Zero Harm programme and Just & Fair Culture embedding.


• Drive high standards of product quality and compliance with quality systems and audits.


• Manage delivery performance across multiple production lines, ensuring adherence to production plans and OEE improvement.


• Develop and engage people through effective leadership, coaching, performance management, and succession planning.


• Control operational costs by maximizing efficiency, reducing waste, and managing budgets.


• Champion operational excellence using Suntory Monozukuri Way and Values, fostering continuous improvement and problem solving.


• Ensure adherence to SOPs, Work Instructions, Risk Assessments, and manufacturing records for safety, quality, and traceability.


• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Engineering, Planning, Brand, and Commercial to support production and NPI activities.


• Managing transformational change at pace within a complex, multi-line production environment.


• Balancing performance across a broad balanced scorecard including safety, quality, delivery, cost, sustainability, and people.


• Coordinating shift teams working varied patterns (24/7 and 24/5) to maintain consistent operational standards.


• Applying governance and policy management for KPIs across multiple operational dimensions.


• Driving continuous improvement while maintaining compliance with strict regulatory and internal standards.

What's in it for you

Joining Suntory isn’t just about taking on a role, it’s about embarking on a career journey. You have the opportunity to work with talented, inspiring and authentic leaders and have the freedom to dream big and go for it (Yatte Minahare). At Suntory you’ll find a supportive work environment that values work life balance and that will help you realise your full potential and grow for good. Our People and Culture team are a team that genuinely care about creating a great experience for our employees and we would love you to be part of it.

What You need to be successful

• HND, Degree or equivalent in a numerate discipline or vocational training in Operations Management


• Formal qualification in Continuous Improvement Principles (e.g., 6-Sigma Green Belt)


• Experience in FMCG high-volume manufacturing, preferably Food or Beverage sector


• Strong leadership and people management skills


• Knowledge of health & safety, quality management systems, and Lean/Six Sigma methodologies


• Proven ability to drive operational excellence and transformational change


• Experience with Total Productive Management (TPM) principles


• Familiarity with SAP and relevant production IT systems


• Previous experience managing multi-shift teams in a manufacturing environment


• Advanced coaching and conflict management skills

Our DEI Commitment

At Suntory, we recognize that diverse knowledge, perspectives, and backgrounds contribute to our collective success. We are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where all individuals can bring their whole selves to work every day, regardless of race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, neurodiversity, or differing abilities, age, or any other protected characteristic.

Our recruitment and selection processes are designed to highlight what Suntory offers as an employer while allowing candidates to share their unique skills and experiences. We understand that career trajectories vary, and if you believe your experience/background can benefit our team, we encourage you to apply. We endeavor to make our interview process as inclusive as possible and offer reasonable accommodations as needed. Together, we can cultivate a workplace where everyone can thrive and propel our mission of Growing for Good.