Production Manager

The JobsBoard; Sittingbourne; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-related bonus

Employee share scheme

Health & wellbeing benefits

Ongoing training and development

Long-term career progression

Job summary

Senex Recruitment is partnered with a well‑established manufacturing business in Kent seeking an experienced Production Manager to lead a busy operation. You will drive productivity, ensure quality, develop teams and foster a culture of continuous improvement and safety on the shop floor.

You’ll support Team Leaders, tackle operational challenges, and ensure production targets are met efficiently and safely while maintaining compliance with standards.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a Production Manager or similar leadership role.
• Strong people management and team development capabilities.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.
• Ability to analyse production performance data and implement improvements.
• Strong IT skills and confidence using manufacturing systems.
• Experience of working within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement techniques is advantageous.
• Experience within process manufacturing, assembly, or high-volume production environments would be beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and develop Team Leaders and production teams.
• Drive daily and weekly production performance against agreed KPIs.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and employee engagement.
• Manage performance, training, absence management, and employee development.
• Analyse production data to identify opportunities for efficiency improvements.
• Reduce waste, improve productivity, and support lean manufacturing initiatives.
• Collaborate closely with planning, maintenance, and operational teams.
• Ensure production schedules and customer requirements are achieved.
• Produce operational reports covering output, efficiencies, and performance metrics.
• Maintain compliance with quality, health & safety, and environmental standards.
• Lead investigations relating to incidents, near misses, and operational issues.

Skills

People management

Communication

Leadership

Data analysis

IT skills

Lean manufacturing

High-volume production

Tools

Manufacturing systems

Job description

Sittingbourne, Kent | Competitive + Benefits | Day Shift

Manufacturing Leadership | Lean Manufacturing | Continuous Improvement

Senex Recruitment is working with a successful and well-established manufacturing business seeking an experienced Production Manager to lead a busy production operation in Kent.

This is a hands‑on leadership position where you will play a key role in driving productivity, maintaining quality standards, developing teams, and fostering a strong culture of continuous improvement and safety.

You’ll be a visible presence on the shop floor, supporting Team Leaders, solving operational challenges, and ensuring production targets are achieved efficiently and safely.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and develop Team Leaders and production teams.
• Drive daily and weekly production performance against agreed KPIs.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and employee engagement.
• Manage performance, training, absence management, and employee development.
• Analyse production data to identify opportunities for efficiency improvements.
• Reduce waste, improve productivity, and support lean manufacturing initiatives.
• Collaborate closely with planning, maintenance, and operational teams.
• Ensure production schedules and customer requirements are achieved.
• Produce operational reports covering output, efficiencies, and performance metrics.
• Maintain compliance with quality, health & safety, and environmental standards.
• Lead investigations relating to incidents, near misses, and operational issues.

Skills & Experience Required

• Proven experience in a Production Manager, Manufacturing Manager, or similar leadership role.
• Strong people management and team development capabilities.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.
• Ability to analyse production performance data and implement improvements.
• Strong IT skills and confidence using manufacturing systems.
• Experience of working within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement techniques is advantageous.
• Experience within process manufacturing, assembly, or high-volume production environments would be beneficial.

What’s On Offer?

• Competitive annual salary
• Permanent day-shift position (early morning to mid-afternoon)
• Performance-related bonus opportunities
• Employee share scheme
• Health & well being benefits
• Discount and rewards platform
• Ongoing training and development
• Long-term career progression opportunities

If you’re an experienced Production Manager looking for an opportunity to lead a manufacturing team and make a real impact on performance, we’d like to hear from you.