Production Manager

STADA Arzneimittel AG; Preston; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Annual bonus

Pension scheme

Life Assurance 4X

Free fruit on site

Private medical insurance

Employee assistance programme

EV charging

Enhanced family leave

Job summary

STADA UK |Natures Aid in Kirkham, Preston, is seeking a Production Manager to own the end‑to‑end manufacturing, packing and cleaning operations, driving high‑performances output while safeguarding GMP standards.

You will lead a production team, analyse production data to improve OEE, implement RCA/5 Whys and Fishbone tools, and manage day‑to‑day people issues while supporting investment in new equipment and facilities. This role demands strong leadership, planning and a safety‑driven culture.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a Production Manager or similar operational leadership role within a manufacturing or production environment.
• Experience in tablet compression / encapsulation or FMCG/food manufacturing.
• Strong leadership to motivate, develop, and manage high-performing teams.
• Experience delivering productivity, quality, cost and delivery targets.
• Knowledge of Health & Safety legislation and promoting a strong safety culture.
• Experience driving continuous improvement initiatives, including Lean manufacturing principles.
• Strong planning, organisational and resource management skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Drive manufacturing operations to hit targets on volume, yield, efficiency, cost, safety and quality.
• Lead production team, coach and develop staff.
• Analyse production data to improve OEE; use RCA, 5 Whys and Fishbone.
• Oversee day-to-day people management, including reviews, absence and holidays.
• Embed GMP standards and promote a strong safety culture.
• Support investment plans into new machinery and upgraded facilities.

Skills

Leadership

Problem solving

Data analysis

Lean manufacturing

Health & Safety

Continuous improvement

Stakeholder management

People management

Planning

Job description

Natures Aid, part of STADA Group was established in 1981 and is a leading UK manufacturer of Vitamins, Minerals & Supplements to health food stores, pharmacies, e-commerce and grocery, with over 200 products throughout 15 main health categories. Together we are shaping the future of Natures Aid by living our values of Integrity, Entrepreneurship, Agility and One STADA.

STADA UK |Natures Aid – Production Manager

Kirkham, Preston |U.K.| Full-time | Permanent

Step into a role where you own the entire production heartbeat of the site. As our Production Manager, you’ll lead all manufacturing, packing and cleaning operations, driving high‑performance output while safeguarding impeccable GMP standards. You’ll be the force behind hitting ambitious volume, yield and efficiency targets – ensuring every batch is right first time, every time.

Play a leading role in driving forward our significant and ambitious investment plans into new machinery and upgraded facilities.

How You Will Make an Impact

• Drive high-performing manufacturing operations, hitting targets on volume, yield, efficiency, cost, safety and quality.
• Lead by example with a positive, proactive, problem-solving mindset, working closely with other departments to deliver business objectives.
• Own the numbers: analyse production data, improve OEE and tackle issues using proven tools such as RCA, 5 Whys and Fishbone.
• Lead, coach and develop a strong production team, managing performance, training, motivation and development plans to unlock their full potential.
• Take charge of day-to-day people management, including reviews, absence and holidays, while embedding the company’s vision, values and behaviours.
• Champion health & safety on site, ensuring safe systems of work, thorough incident reporting and follow-through on risk assessments and GEMBA activity.

What We Are Looking For

• Proven experience in a Production Manager or similar operational leadership role within a manufacturing or production environment.
• Ideally experienced within tablet compression / encapsulation industry or similar FMCG or food manufacturing environment
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, develop, and manage high-performing teams.
• Demonstrable experience delivering productivity, quality, cost, and delivery targets.
• Excellent knowledge of Health & Safety legislation and promoting a strong safety culture.
• Experience driving continuous improvement initiatives, including Lean manufacturing principles.
• Strong planning, organisational, and resource management skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Effective problem-solving and analytical skills, using data and performance metrics to support decision‑making.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build positive working relationships across all levels of the business.

How we care for you

At Natures Aid our purpose “Caring for people’s health as a trusted partner” motivates us every day. And what would be a better place than starting with our own employees. Which is why we give much in return:

• Competitive salary, car allowance and annual bonus scheme.
• Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme offering 8% employer contribution rates.
• 23.5 days of annual leave plus bank holidays with the potential to buy up to 5 additional days.
• Life Assurance of 4X salary.
• Free fruit on site.
• Health benefits provided through our Vitality Private Medical Insurance
• Wellbeing support through our Employee Assistance Programme and KYAN Wellbeing – offering free coaching and counselling services for you and your family.
• Salary sacrifice Tech-Scheme.
• Electric Car Scheme through Octopus Energy, plus free on-site EV charging.
• Enhanced Family Leave.
• Plus, many more employee benefits & celebration events.

STADA Group values and promotes its diverse culture, regardless of gender, age, social or ethnic origin, disabilities, religion, ideology, or sexual orientation. We use the strength of our uniqueness to develop creative ideas, expand our experience and increase innovative strength. Our focus is on equal opportunities, respectful cooperation, and the promotion of an inclusive working environment. We are looking forward to your application and welcome applications without a pharmaceutical background.