Production Manager

DK Recruitment; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

DK Recruitment is seeking a Production Manager to lead a premium handmade manufacturing operation in the UK. You will drive Lean initiatives, oversee planning, and ensure craftsmanship and quality across all products.

The role requires an experienced operations leader with a strong track record in manufacturing, continuous improvement, and people management within a luxury brand context.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent in Manufacturing/Engineering or related field.
• Lean Manufacturing qualification desirable (Lean Practitioner, Six Sigma, CI).
• Health & Safety qualification desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily production to deliver output, quality, service and cost targets.
• Develop and execute production plans aligning capacity with demand.
• Ensure products meet luxury craftsmanship and quality standards.
• Monitor KPIs and implement corrective actions to optimise performance.
• Collaborate with Planning, Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality and Commercial teams.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Continuous Improvement

People Leadership

Production Planning

SAP

Quality Management

Health & Safety

Operational Excellence

Education

Degree in Manufacturing/Engineering

HND or equivalent

Tools

SAP

MS Excel

Job description

As the Production Manager, you will lead the manufacturing operations of a prestigious luxury manufacturing business renowned for exceptional craftsmanship, uncompromising quality, and bespoke customer service.

You will combine modern manufacturing excellence with traditional artisan skills to ensure the efficient production of premium handmade products. The role requires a highly visible operational leader with a strong background in manufacturing, continuous improvement, and people management, capable of driving performance whilst preserving the craftsmanship and quality standards synonymous with a luxury brand.

You will be accountable for production output, labour utilisation, material efficiency, quality performance, and health and safety, while developing a culture of continuous improvement, engagement, and operational excellence.

Main Duties:

Operational Leadership

• Lead all daily production activities to ensure delivery of agreed output, quality, service, and cost objectives.
• Develop and execute production plans that align manufacturing capacity with customer demand and business priorities.
• Ensure products are manufactured to the highest standards of craftsmanship and quality expected within a luxury manufacturing environment.
• Monitor operational performance through KPIs and implement corrective actions where required.
• Collaborate closely with Planning, Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, and Commercial teams to optimise operational performance.

Manufacturing Engineering & Continuous Improvement

• Apply Lean Manufacturing and Manufacturing Engineering principles to improve workflow, productivity, and operational efficiency.
• Analyse production processes and identify opportunities to remove waste, reduce non-value-added activities, and improve throughput.
• Optimise workshop layouts, workstation design, material flows, and production sequencing.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on productivity, lead time reduction, quality enhancement, and cost control.
• Establish measurable performance standards and promote a culture of operational excellence and accountability.

Materials & Cost Management

• Drive improvements in material utilisation across luxury fabrics, fillings, timber, upholstery components, and packaging materials.
• Identify opportunities to reduce waste while maintaining product quality and brand standards.
• Monitor production costs and work closely with procurement and operations teams to improve manufacturing efficiency.
• Ensure accurate inventory usage and support stock control processes.

Production Planning & Systems

• Utilise SAP and associated manufacturing systems to support production planning, labour deployment, scheduling, and performance reporting.
• Ensure accurate production data is captured and analysed to support informed decision-making.
• Develop capacity plans to support fluctuations in demand while maintaining operational efficiency.
• Ensure resources, equipment, and labour are effectively allocated to meet business requirements.

People Leadership & Development

Lead, coach, and develop a team, ensuring clear accountability and strong succession planning.

Create a high-performance culture focused on safety, quality, craftsmanship, and continuous improvement.

Manage workforce planning, shift allocation, and labour deployment across the workforce.

Develop training plans to enhance technical skills, cross-functional flexibility, and artisan craftsmanship.

Support apprentice development programmes and knowledge transfer of traditional manufacturing techniques.

Conduct performance reviews and manage disciplinary, grievance, attendance, and capability matters in accordance with company policies.

Quality & Customer Excellence

Champion a quality-first culture that reflects the standards of a luxury manufacturing business.

Ensure all products consistently meet internal specifications and customer expectations.

Investigate quality issues and implement robust corrective and preventive actions.

Work closely with Quality teams to drive right-first-time manufacturing and reduce rework.

Health, Safety & Environment

Maintain the highest standards of Health & Safety throughout the manufacturing operation.

Ensure compliance with all legal requirements, company policies, and safe working practices.

Promote and maintain world-class housekeeping standards through the implementation of 5S principles.

Lead risk reduction initiatives and ensure all incidents are thoroughly investigated and addressed.

KPI’s

• Labour efficiency (%)
• Production volume achieved vs target
• Quality defect rate
• Safety, accident and near miss reporting

Qualifications

Degree, HND, or equivalent experience in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or a related discipline.

Lean Manufacturing qualification (Lean Practitioner, Six Sigma, CI qualification or equivalent) desirable.

Health & Safety qualification desirable.

Essential Experience

Minimum 5 years' experience in a senior manufacturing leadership role managing large production teams of 100+ employees.

Proven track record of delivering operational improvements within a manufacturing environment.

Demonstrable experience implementing Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement methodologies.

Strong experience in production planning, workforce management, and performance optimisation.

Experience using SAP or equivalent ERP systems.

Desirable Experience

Experience managing skilled craftspeople within a quality-focused production environment.

Exposure to both traditional hand-crafted and modern manufacturing techniques