Production Manager

KP Snacks; Eggleston; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food manufacturer is seeking a Production Manager to lead their manufacturing team in Billingham. Responsibilities include optimizing production efficiency, ensuring quality standards, and developing team capabilities. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in food manufacturing, leadership skills, and a commitment to high performance. The position offers an annual bonus scheme, healthcare support, pension plan, and generous holiday allowance.

Benefits

Annual bonus scheme

Comprehensive healthcare support

KP Pension Plan

25 days holiday plus options to buy more

Online benefits platform

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of food manufacturing.
• Experience in a similar role in a fast-paced production environment.
• Proven success in achieving production KPIs and SLAs.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the team effectively to meet performance targets.
• Shape the daily production plan focusing on efficiency.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to maintain quality and safety standards.
• Optimize resources and ensure compliance with quality processes.
• Develop and coach the team to drive engagement and improvement.

Skills

Food manufacturing knowledge

Leadership skills

Problem-solving skills

Adaptability

Strong teamwork

Job description

Job Title

Production Manager (Line Lead) – Billingham, On‑site, Day shift (Monday – Friday, 07:30 – 16:00)

About the role

As Manufacturing Line Lead you will be responsible for people, plant, product and process delivery against clearly defined role outputs, with specific responsibility for developing, managing and leading a manufacturing team.

What will you be doing?

• Lead and manage your team effectively – drive daily performance, ensuring all targets and standards are met while fostering a high‑performing culture.
• Shape the daily plan with a loss‑focused approach – take charge in setting direction, identifying opportunities to reduce inefficiencies and improve operations.
• Collaborate for success – work closely with colleagues, internal and external stakeholders, to exceed customer expectations and maintain high standards of quality, safety and hygiene.
• Make a real impact on production efficiency – optimise resources, manage stock and waste, and ensure compliance with quality processes to deliver Right‑First‑Time production.
• Develop and coach your team – conduct regular appraisals, monitor performance and build capability to drive engagement, motivation and continuous improvement.

What’s in it for you?

• Annual bonus scheme, with a strong track record of overachievement.
• Comprehensive healthcare support – Medicash Health Cash Plan or Private Healthcare, Digital GP, Best Doctors second‑opinion service and specialist cancer care.
• KP Pension Plan – contribution matching up to 7% of your salary.
• 25 days holiday, plus the option to buy more.
• KP4ME – our online platform for benefits, discounts, wellbeing tools and more.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of food manufacturing.
• Experience in a similar role ensuring quality, safety and efficiency in a fast‑paced production environment.
• Leadership and problem‑solving skills – ability to coach and guide a team, fostering a safety‑first and customer‑focused culture while tackling challenges with logical solutions.
• Proven success in delivering results – track record of achieving production KPIs and SLAs, demonstrating adaptability and accountability in a dynamic setting.
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing and Six Sigma (desirable, but a willingness to learn is encouraged).
• Commitment to KP values – a positive, can‑do approach, strong teamwork and the ability to embrace change.

We’re committed to inclusion

We’re building a workplace where everyone belongs. If you don’t tick every box, we’d still love to hear from you – your unique perspective could be just what we need. If there’s anything we can do to make the process easier for you, just let us know.