Production Manager

dnata Catering; Wideopen; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading catering service provider in the UK is looking for a team leader to manage production and assembly of meals, ensuring compliance with food quality standards and delivering exceptional customer service. The ideal candidate will have strong people management skills, experience in food safety, and the ability to drive performance through teamwork. This position offers a range of employee benefits including free meals on-site and discounted gym memberships.

Benefits

Free breakfast, lunch and dinner on site

Cycle to Work Scheme

Discounted gym membership

Qualifications

• Must have people management skills and knowledge of health and safety regulations.
• Experience in food hygiene practices is essential.
• Computer literacy is required for record-keeping.

Responsibilities

• Achieve production cost targets through effective planning and scheduling.
• Organise holidays, rosters and work schedules using best practice tools.
• Maintain internal delivery schedules and coordinate stock takes.

Skills

People management skills

Attention to detail and accuracy

Communication skills – must be able to communicate at all levels

Education

Food Hygiene certificate and/or IOSH

Knowledge of the latest H&S policies

Job description

Job Summary

This role is responsible for interfacing with customers, providing operational and administrative support, and providing support services. You will be responsible for the production and assembly of meals in line with scheduled activity and deadlines. You will ensure that required food product is managed effectively to ensure that food quality standards are preserved at all stages of the production process.

Responsibilities

• Achieve production cost targets through effective planning and scheduling.
• Organise holidays, rosters and work schedules using best practice tools.
• Maintain internal delivery schedules and coordinate period‑end stock takes.
• Design and review contingency plans for assembly changes.
• Conduct yield testing to verify theoretical yields.
• Apply best practice assembly processes.
• Manage waste through documentation, analysis, corrective actions and progress tracking.
• Control substitution and wastage costs with targeted action plans.
• Drive performance through clear objectives and teamwork.
• Monitor team performance daily, weekly and periodically.
• Conduct appraisals and review action plans monthly.
• Attend daily meetings to resolve issues and align on targets.
• Ensure recruitment meets current and future needs.
• Maintain compliance with legislation, customer and company standards.
• Perform daily compliance checks and initiate improvements.
• Complete due diligence and security checks.
• Plan and deliver training to ensure compliance.
• Observe health and safety policies and report hazards.
• Communicate effectively using established structures.
• Ensure high levels of internal and external customer service.
• Maintain contact with customers and resolve assembly issues.
• Review and implement changes based on customer requirements.
• Provide expert production knowledge and manage Category A incidents.
• Accountable for Labour costs/Wastage Costs.

Benefits

• Free breakfast, lunch and dinner on site.
• Free tea and coffee.
• Simply health Plan.
• Refer a Friend Scheme.
• Discounted gym membership at over 2000 gyms nationwide.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Opportunity to enhance your learning through our in‑house apprenticeship programme.

Interview and Accessibility

If you're invited to interview, please let us know if there are any adjustments we can make to ensure you're cleared for take-off and able to perform at your best. We're committed to making the recruitment journey as smooth and inclusive as possible.

Qualifications

• People management skills.
• Food Hygiene certificate and/or IOSH.
• Knowledge of the latest H&S policies.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Computer literate.
• Communication skills – must be able to communicate at all levels.
• Understanding of health and safety regulations.

Preferred Skills

• Ability to plan, organise and delegate.
• Must be methodical and logical in their approach to work.

Dnata is one of the world's largest air and travel services providers. We provide a comprehensive range of inflight catering, onboard retail, supply chain and logistics services at all major and regional airports across the UK. Dnata Catering provide expertly crafted inflight catering services, delivering fresh and high‑quality meals at major and regional airports across the UK. As the leading Halal caterer in the UK, we also provide tailored experiences to meet each customer's unique needs. We're a leader in VIP catering, offering bespoke inflight to private and charter clients.