Production Manager

First Recruitment Services Ltd.; Uckfield; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site parking

Bonus scheme after 12 months

Pension

Private healthcare after 12 months

24 days holiday plus bank holidays

Job summary

First Recruitment Services Ltd. in the Uckfield area is recruiting a Production Manager for a full-time permanent role at a busy site. You will lead a team to deliver safe, efficient production while driving continuous improvement and customer satisfaction.

The role reports into site leadership with 3 direct reports and 10–15 indirect reports, with hours Monday to Friday and some flexibility. Salary £50,000–£60,000 per year, plus a generous bonus after 12 months, 24 days holiday and pension plus

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a Factory Manager, Production Manager, Operations Manager or similar leadership role.
• Proven FMCG, packaging or related production sector experience.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Track record of driving operational improvements and performance gains.
• Commercial awareness of manufacturing costs, efficiencies and KPI management.
• Strong organisational, planning and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Proactive, hands-on and results-driven approach.

Responsibilities

• Leading, motivating and developing the operational management team.
• Driving productivity, efficiency and overall factory performance.
• Identifying and implementing continuous improvement initiatives across processes.
• Managing production planning, resource allocation and site capacity.
• Working with Engineering to maximise equipment reliability and uptime.
• Monitoring budgets and delivering against KPIs.
• Ensuring Health & Safety and quality standards compliance.
• Supporting cost reduction and efficiency programmes.
• Collaborating with senior leadership to support growth and culture.

Skills

Factory Manager experience

Production Manager experience

Operations Manager experience

Leadership

People management

Continuous improvement

Commercial awareness

KPI management

Organisational skills

Problem-solving

Communication & stakeholder management

Hands-on & results-driven

Job description

We are very pleased to be working alongside our established, reputable and professional client as they seek to recruit a Production Manager on a full time permanent at their busy site close to Uckfield, East Sussex.

This is an exciting opportunity for a proven operational leader from a manufacturing, FMCG or production environment who thrives on delivering results, developing teams and driving continuous improvement. You will lead a friendly team within a fast-paced and busy facility, ensuring high standards of productivity, quality, safety and customer service whilst helping shape the future direction of the site.

If you're a hands-on leader with a passion for operational excellence, we'd love to hear from you.

Production Manager

Uckfield - with plenty of parking available for all staff on site. Due to site located, it is essential to be a driver and have your own transport

Full time permanent role - Monday - Friday , with some flexibility on working hours.

50000 - 60000 per year (scope to go higher), plus very generous bonus scheme available (after 12 months service) - this is based on company profit. 24 days holiday plus all UK bank holidays, good company pension and private healthcare (available after 12 months)

The role - Production Manager

As Production Manager, you will be responsible for the day-to-day leadership and performance of the manufacturing operation, ensuring the site operates efficiently, safely and in line with customer expectations. You will have three direct reports and around another 10-15 indirect reports.

Duties and responsibilities include:

• Leading, motivating and developing the operational management team
• Driving productivity, efficiency and overall factory performance
• Identifying and implementing continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing processes
• Managing production planning, resource allocation and site capacity
• Working closely with the Engineering team to maximise equipment reliability and uptime
• Monitoring operational budgets and delivering against agreed KPIs
• Ensuring compliance with Health & Safety and quality standards
• Supporting cost reduction and operational efficiency programmes
• Collaborating with senior leadership to achieve business objectives and support future growth
• Building a positive, high-performance culture across the site

Experience, skills and competencies required:

We're looking for a confident and experienced manufacturing leader who can inspire teams and deliver operational results.

You'll ideally have:

• Previous experience in a Factory Manager, Production Manager, Operations Manager or similar leadership role
• Proven experience within the FMCG sector, packaging or a related production environment
• Strong leadership and people management skills
• A track record of driving operational improvements and performance enhancements
• Commercial awareness and understanding of manufacturing costs, efficiencies and KPI management
• Strong organisational, planning and problem-solving abilities
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• A proactive, hands-on and results-driven approach

Desirable:

• Knowledge of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies

Please note that no terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate on the grounds of a person's gender, marital status, race, religion, colour, age, disability or sexual orientation. Every candidate will be assessed only in accordance with their merits, qualifications and ability to perform the duties of the job