Production Manager

Permanent Futures Limited; Leeds; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Permanent Futures Limited is seeking an experienced Production Manager to lead manufacturing operations in a busy, quality-focused environment in Leeds. You will drive Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement, oversee day-to-day production, and develop teams to deliver safe, efficient, and reliable output.

The role requires a hands-on leader who can improve productivity, quality, cost and overall operational performance while fostering a strong culture of safety and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a Production Manager or similar leadership role.
• Strong background in manufacturing or engineering-led production.
• Practical application of Lean Manufacturing and CI.
• Experience using Lean tools: 5S, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, Standard Work, Visual Management, RCA and waste reduction.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage day-to-day manufacturing operations, ensuring targets are achieved safely, efficiently and to quality standards.
• Coach and develop production teams, including supervisors and operators.
• Drive a culture around health & safety, quality, delivery, cost and people development.
• Plan and coordinate production resources to meet demand and schedules.
• Monitor KPIs and address performance gaps.

Job description

We are looking to recruit an experienced Production Manager to lead manufacturing operations within a busy, quality-focused production environment.

This is a hands‑on leadership role with responsibility for delivering safe, efficient and reliable production while developing people, improving processes and driving a strong culture of Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement.

The successful candidate will be an experienced manufacturing leader who is comfortable managing day-to-day operational challenges while also identifying and delivering longer-term improvements in productivity, quality, cost and overall operational performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage day-to-day manufacturing operations, ensuring production targets are achieved safely, efficiently and to the required quality standards.
• Manage, coach and develop production teams, including supervisors, team leaders and operators.
• Drive a positive culture around health & safety, quality, delivery, cost and people development.
• Plan and coordinate production resources to meet customer demand and manufacturing schedules.
• Monitor production KPIs and take appropriate action to address performance gaps.
• Lead and embed Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement principles across the production environment.
• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, reduce waste, increase capacity and improve process flow.
• Lead structured improvement activities using appropriate Lean/CI tools and methodologies.
• Reduce downtime, scrap, rework and other forms of operational waste.
• Work closely with Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Supply Chain and other functions to resolve production issues and improve overall plant performance.
• Support root cause analysis and implementation of sustainable corrective actions.
• Ensure appropriate production standards, procedures and processes are established and consistently followed.
• Develop team capability through coaching, performance management, training and succession planning.
• Support the introduction of new products, equipment and manufacturing processes where required.
• Contribute to wider site operational strategy, budgeting and improvement plans.

About You

• Proven experience in a Production Manager, Manufacturing Manager, Operations Manager or similar production leadership role.
• Strong experience within a manufacturing or engineering‑led production environment.
• Demonstrable knowledge and practical application of Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement (CI).
• Experience using Lean tools and techniques such as 5S, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, Standard Work, Visual Management, Root Cause Analysis and waste reduction.
• A strong track record of delivering measurable improvements in manufacturing performance.
• Experience managing production KPIs across areas such as safety, quality, delivery, productivity, efficiency, scrap and downtime.
• Strong people leadership skills with the ability to engage, coach and develop production teams.
• A structured, data‑driven approach to problem solving and decision making.
• Good commercial awareness and an understanding of the relationship between operational performance, cost and customer service.
• The ability to balance daily production requirements with longer-term improvement initiatives.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively across multiple departments