Production Manager

Northwood; Bardwell; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension

Life assurance

Sick pay

Free company products

Free on-site parking

Discounts: food, retail, holidays, gym

Wellness programmes & EAP

OnDemand GP service

Salary sacrifice schemes

Employee referral scheme

Job summary

Northwood is seeking a hands-on Continuous Improvement leader to drive end-to-end CI projects in a fast-paced manufacturing setting. You will mentor high‑performing teams, validate SOPs for effectiveness, and sustain quality standards across day and night shifts.

Expect a role focused on Lean practices, waste reduction and audit readiness, with a strong emphasis on accountability, mentorship, and delivering tangible productivity gains.

Qualifications

• Hands-on approach to production with proven experience delivering CI.

Responsibilities

• Lead CI projects end to end and mentor teams.
• Maintain SOPs to ensure effectiveness and efficiency.
• Foster a high‑energy, accountable culture across production shifts.
• Drive waste reduction, productivity gains and cost consciousness.
• Maintain audit readiness for BRCGS, ISO 9001, ISO 45001 and SMETA Sedex.

Skills

Leadership

Lean manufacturing

Continuous Improvement

Gemba walks

1:1s

Team meetings

Change management

Job description

Are you a hands-on leader, close to day to day manufacturing operations, with experience leading CI projects through to completion?

In this instrumental role, you'll be leading high-performing teams with a hands‑on approach, ensuring our SOPs are effective, ways of working are efficient and sustainable, and quality is at a high standard.

About the Role

You will provide support and mentorship regarding Continuous Improvement, leading projects end to end, getting the team involved and cultivating their buy‑in, and fostering accountability. Your role will be predominantly Days‑based where you'll instill a supportive, high‑energy culture across our continental shift, setting high standards, educating and developing our talent. Occasionally, you may need to adjust your working times to meet with crews on the night shift to ensure everyone is aligned on priorities, and to provide consistent visibility and support. You'll bring your expertise in maximising productivity and minimising waste ethically and responsibly, with cost consciousness regarding waste control, resourcing, and materials. You'll also play an integral role in maintaining audit standards relating to BRCGS, ISO 9001, ISO 45001, and SMETA Sedex.

Benefits

• Company pension
• Life assurance
• Sick pay
• Free company products
• Free on‑site parking
• Food, retail, holidays, cinema, and gyms discounts
• Wellness programmes, including Employee Assistance Program and OnDemand GP service
• Free early access to pay scheme
• Salary sacrifice schemes
• Employee referral scheme

Requirements

We are looking for a commercially‑minded and people‑centred leader with resilience, a drive for results, and commitment to empowering colleagues. We're looking for:

• Hands‑on approach to production with proven experience delivering CI.
• Visible presence and morale nurturing through Gemba walks, 1:1s, and regular team meetings.
• Solid understanding and experience in application of Lean manufacturing methodologies.
• Improvement focused approach, instilling this throughout the team.
• Robust experience in delivering a significant changes or transformation projects for Production or Manufacturing environments.
• FMCG or Converting background due to the fast pace of our operations.