Production Manager

Blackfield Associates; England; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Blackfield Associates is recruiting an experienced Production Manager to lead GMP pharmaceutical manufacturing operations in a highly regulated environment. You will drive safety, quality, and efficiency while delivering production targets and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

The role involves leading a team of production leaders and technical specialists, handling deviations, CAPAs, change controls, audits, and technology transfers, with a strong emphasis on coaching and

Qualifications

• Degree in Life Sciences, Engineering, or related discipline.
• Significant experience leading GMP manufacturing operations.
• Proven leadership of teams in a regulated environment.
• Strong GMP knowledge: deviations, CAPAs, change controls, and audit support.
• Excellent communication, organisational and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with Lean, Six Sigma or continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead GMP manufacturing operations with a focus on safety and quality.
• Manage production schedules, resources and performance.
• Own deviations, CAPAs, change controls and complaints.
• Drive continuous improvement using Lean and Six Sigma.
• Monitor KPIs: productivity, schedule adherence, quality, safety.
• Oversee OPEX, labour utilisation, waste reduction and costs.
• Support tech transfer, scale-up, new products, equipment projects.
• Develop and coach manufacturing teams, including recruitment.
• Collaborate with Engineering to maximise equipment reliability.
• Ensure audit readiness across manufacturing area.

Skills

GMP leadership

GMP compliance

Change controls

CAPAs

Audit support

Lean Six Sigma

Team leadership

Communication skills

Education

Life Sciences or Engineering degree

Job description

Are you an experienced Production Manager with a strong background in GMP pharmaceutical manufacturing? We're recruiting for an exciting leadership opportunity within a highly regulated manufacturing environment, where you'll play a pivotal role in driving operational excellence, quality, safety, and continuous improvement across production operations.

The Opportunity

As Production Manager, you will take ownership of day-to-day GMP manufacturing operations, ensuring the safe, compliant, and efficient delivery of production activities. Leading a team of production leaders and technical specialists, you'll be responsible for achieving key performance targets across safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people development while maintaining a culture of continuous improvement and inspection readiness.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and promote a strong GMP, quality, and EHS culture across manufacturing operations.
• Manage production schedules, resources, and operational performance to meet customer and business objectives.
• Take ownership of deviations, CAPAs, change controls, and complaints, ensuring robust investigations and effective corrective actions.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, and structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Monitor and improve key manufacturing KPIs including productivity, schedule adherence, quality, and safety metrics.
• Lead operational expenditure performance, labour utilisation, waste reduction, and cost control activities.
• Support technology transfer, process scale-up, new product introductions, and equipment implementation projects.
• Develop, coach, and manage manufacturing teams, including recruitment, training, succession planning, and performance management.
• Partner with Engineering and cross-functional teams to maximise equipment reliability and operational effectiveness.
• Ensure ongoing audit and inspection readiness within the manufacturing area.

About You

We're looking for an accomplished manufacturing leader who can demonstrate:

• Degree qualification in Life Sciences, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Significant experience leading GMP manufacturing operations within the pharmaceutical sector.
• Proven leadership experience managing teams within a regulated manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of GMP compliance, deviations, CAPAs, change controls, and audit support.
• Experience presenting manufacturing performance and quality matters to internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, organisational, and problem-solving skills.
• Exposure to Lean, Six Sigma, or formal continuous improvement methodologies.