Production Manager

HOLOS Kombucha; England; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading kombucha brewery in the United Kingdom is seeking a Production Manager to oversee manufacturing operations. This role involves managing production, overseeing quality, and developing a small, dedicated team. The ideal candidate will have experience in food or drink manufacturing, strong skills in inventory management, and a focus on food safety compliance. A competitive salary and benefits are offered, alongside an opportunity to work in a purpose-driven environment that supports social impact initiatives.

Benefits

Share option package

Pension plan with employer contribution

Contribution towards relocation cost

BUPA cash plan

Unlimited kombucha

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience in drinks or food manufacturing at commercial volume.
• Experience with bottling lines or similar.
• Strong understanding of food safety systems and audits.
• Must have the right to work in the UK, with access to rural site.
• Highly organised and detail-focused.

Responsibilities

• Oversee packaging, inventory management, and production efficiency.
• Lead and develop a committed manufacturing team.
• Manage HACCP system and ensure documentation is audit-ready.
• Troubleshoot machinery and maintain production quality.
• Work closely with founders on production planning and culture.

Skills

Organisational skills

Detail-oriented

Management skills

Problem-solving

Team culture building

Tools

Inventory management software

Production data software (e.g. Unleashed)

Job description

Holos is an award-winning kombucha brewery, producing authentic, small-batch kombucha for nationwide distribution. Our drinks can be found in Waitrose, Whole Foods Market, Selfridges, Ocado and more, but we are scaling faster than ever. We’re also a purpose-driven company: alongside making delicious kombucha, we provide paid work placements for survivors of exploitation and have our own charity arm, the Holos Foundation — every bottle is Brewed for Good™

The Role

We’re looking for a Production Manager to take ownership of our manufacturing operations and systems. This role sits between hands-on production and operational leadership. You will oversee packaging, inventory management, food safety and organic certification while working closely with the founders to scale up operations. This role suits someone who loves detail, systems, audits and quality control, and is comfortable being both on the floor and at a desk. This is a fantastic growth opportunity to work with a scaling challenger brand, and as we grow, potential to evolve the role into Head of Production.

Key Responsibilities

Production & Manufacturing

• Take end-to-end ownership of daily production across brewing, bottling, cleaning, and packaging
• Keep things running smoothly by managing changeovers, start-ups, shutdowns, and preventative maintenance
• Roll up your sleeves when needed, supporting brewing, fermentation, and blending to maintain quality and consistency
• Have a good understanding of machinery and mechanical systems in particular bottling lines and be able to troubleshoot and problem solve appropriately

Quality, Food Safety & Integrity

• Be the guardian of our HACCP system, ensuring documentation, SOPs, and records are always audit-ready
• Lead SALSA and Organic Certification audits with confidence, closing actions quickly and thoughtfully
• Champion food safety, quality, and compliance as non-negotiables that reflect our values

Inventory, Traceability & Responsibility

• Own inventory management and batch traceability from raw materials through to finished product
• Sign off accurate production records, taking pride in transparency, accountability, and doing things properly

People, Culture & Care

• Lead and develop a small, committed manufacturing team, including apprentices and early-career talent. Manage rotas to ensure continuity of team.
• Create an environment built on trust, respect, and open communication
• Support people to learn, grow, and take ownership of the work they do
• Support the social impact element of our business through completing relevant safeguarding training and protocol, as provided.

Continuous Improvement & Thoughtful Growth

• Look for practical ways to improve efficiency, reliability, and ways of working — without compromising quality
• Encourage curiosity, problem-solving, and continuous improvement on the production floor
• Play a central role in scaling our facility, introducing new equipment, and building systems that will last

Working With the Founders

• Partner closely with the founders on production planning and priorities
• Contribute towards the leadership and positive culture of the business
• Bring a calm, practical voice to growth decisions, helping turn ambition into sustainable reality.

About You

You’re an organised and responsible Production Manager who takes ownership of day-to-day operations, systems, and team performance while keeping an eye on the bigger picture. You use software, data, and clear processes to ensure production runs efficiently, while still enjoying getting hands-on when needed. You build a collaborative, accountable team culture where people feel supported and motivated to hit targets, solve problems, and continuously improve. Curious, adaptable, and results-focused, you thrive in a challenger brand setting, helping the business scale thoughtfully without compromising quality or integrity.

Experience & Knowledge

• Hands on experience working in drinks (or food) manufacturing at commercial volume
• Experience working on bottling lines/ similar
• Experience in brewing desirable
• Experienced in supplying major UK retailers
• Strong understanding of food safety systems and audits
• Confident with inventory management software and production data (eg. Unleashed)
• Must have the right to work in the UK and be able to travel daily to our rural site (car essential)
• Highly organised and detail-focused
• A growth Growth mindset - looking to learn quickly and get stuck in
• Calm and confident management style
• A competitive base salary (£45-55k per year, based on experience)
• Share option package
• Pension plan with employer contribution (when eligible)
• Contribution towards relocation cost
• BUPA cash plan
• To work in a collaborative, supportive environment of friendly people in a social impact business
• As much kombucha as you can drink!

How to apply

How to apply:

Apply with your CV and a covering letter answering the following 6 questions:

Questions

• What excites you most about this opportunity at Holos?
• What role or experience do you believe has best prepared you for this and why?
• What software or digital tools have you used on a day-to-day basis to manage production?
• Which types of food or drink packaging have you handled, either as an operator, team leader, or manager?
• Which safety or quality audits do you have experience with or have been responsible for?
• What\'s your current notice period and where are you based?