Production Manager

Macfarlane Packaging; Cricklade; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

23 days annual leave

Long service awards (10-40 years)

Contributory pension scheme

Free on-site parking

Employee assistance programme

Job summary

Macfarlane Packaging in Cricklade (Swindon area) is seeking a Production Manager to lead manufacturing operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and high‑quality output across multi‑shift production in line with business objectives.

You will develop and coach production teams, manage resources, monitor KPIs, and drive continuous improvement while maintaining focus on health and safety. The role offers a salary up to £50,000 plus bonus and benefits.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading production in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong ability to coach and develop production teams.
• Experience driving efficiency, quality, and on-time delivery.
• Knowledge of health and safety requirements in manufacturing.
• Experience with KPI reporting and production planning tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all production activities to meet output targets, quality standards, and delivery schedules.
• Drive operational efficiency and continuous improvement across manufacturing processes.
• Own production execution and ensure resources are allocated to meet demand.
• Develop and coach production teams to achieve high performance and accountability.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and quality standards.
• Monitor KPIs and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Collaborate with stakeholders for planning and issue resolution.
• Contribute to overall operational strategy and growth initiatives.

Skills

Strong leadership

Production planning

KPI reporting

Health & safety

Communication

Team development

Lean awareness

Tools

Production planning systems

Job description

Location: Cricklade (Swindon area)

Package: Salary up to £50,000 (depending on experience) +Bonus & Benefits

Hours: 40 total (Monay to Friday)

Rotating Shifts: (Week 1: 07:00-15:00/Week 2: 15:15-23:15)

The Company GWP Group / Macfarlane Packaging, one of the UK's leading packaging manufacturers, are looking for a Production Manager to join our established team. You will become part of a business established for over 75 years, with a strong history of distributing and producing sustainable and environmentally friendly packaging. Being part of Macfarlane PLC (the UK's largest packaging distributor) GWP Packaging offer stability along with continual growth that will offer opportunities for personal and professional development.

The Production Manager Role

The Production Managers are responsible for leading manufacturing operations at the site, ensuring efficient, safe, and high-quality production in line with business objectives and customer requirements. This role provides leadership across multi-shift operations, driving performance, operational efficiency, and continuous improvement while developing a high-performing production team.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all production activities to ensure output targets, quality standards, and delivery schedules are consistently achieved.
• Drive operational efficiency and continuous improvement across all manufacturing processes.
• Take ownership of production execution, ensuring resources are effectively allocated to meet business demands.
• Develop, coach, and lead production teams, fostering a culture of accountability, engagement, and high performance.
• Ensure full compliance with health, safety, and quality standards across all operations.
• Monitor and manage performance against KPIs, implementing corrective actions where required.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure effective communication, planning, and problem resolution.
• Contribute to the overall operational strategy, supporting business growth and continuous improvement initiatives.

What You’ll Bring

We are looking for a confident and experienced Production Manager with a strong background in manufacturing environments, ideally within the packaging sector.

You will be a natural leader, capable of managing and developing teams while maintaining a clear focus on performance, quality, and continuous improvement.

Key Skills And Experience Include

• Proven experience managing production within a manufacturing environment (corrugated packaging experience beneficial)
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to engage, develop, and motivate teams
• A structured and proactive approach to managing performance and driving efficiency
• Experience working with production planning systems and KPI reporting
• A practical understanding of health & safety and quality requirements in manufacturing
• Strong communication and organisational skills
• A forward-thinking mindset with the ability to contribute to operational improvements

Desirable (not Essential)

• IOSH or Nebosh health & safety qualification
• Lean manufacturing knowledge (Six Sigma, Kaizen, etc.)
• Leadership or management qualification (ILM, CMI or similar)

What You’ll Get

We provide a competitive basic starting salary and operate a rewarding bonus scheme. The flexible employee benefits can include:

• 23 days annual leave plus all public / bank holidays
• Long service awards (10-40 years)
• Contributory pension scheme
• Free on-site parking
• Employee assistance programme to support and advise with well-being and any issues

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds irrespective of your age, gender, disability, race, nationality, ethnicity, gender expression, religion or sexual orientation. Should you require any specific support or adjustments during the recruitment process, please email our recruitment team directly.