Production Manager - Darlington

Cepac; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

33 days holiday

Up to 6% employer pension contribution

Performance-related bonus

Private medical cover

Income Protection Insurance

4x salary death in service benefit

Job summary

A leading corrugated packaging producer in the UK is seeking an experienced Production Manager for their Darlington site. This role involves leading operational planning, championing health and safety, and driving continuous improvement initiatives. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in manufacturing and strong leadership skills. A competitive salary and benefits package includes 33 days holiday and private medical cover.

Qualifications

• Significant senior management experience in corrugated or fast-paced manufacturing.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Proven ability to drive change and operational improvements.
• Analytical mindset with data-driven decision-making.
• Six Sigma or similar continuous improvement qualifications are desirable.
• Flexible and proactive approach to major projects and busy periods.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the operational plan for profitable production.
• Champion health and safety best practices.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure accurate data capture and reporting on downtime, waste and quality metrics.
• Maintain BRC AA accreditation standards and 5S site hygiene protocols.
• Collaborate with Print, Corrugation, Conversion and Engineering teams to optimise performance.
• Manage costs and identify opportunities for capital investment.
• Provide engaging leadership, set clear targets and support team development through PDRs and training plans.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Change Management

Analytical Skills

Coaching

Education

Qualifications in management and continuous improvement

Job description

Job vacancies: Production Manager - Darlington

Your role

Are you an experienced manufacturing leader with a passion for operational excellence and continuous improvement?

Cepac Darlington is looking for a Production Manager to join our senior leadership team and drive performance across our high-speed corrugated packaging operation. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a measurable impact in a business committed to innovation, quality, and world-class standards.

The Role

• Lead and develop the operational plan to deliver reliable, profitable production and exceptional customer service.
• Champion Health & Safety best practice across all departments.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and improve quality.
• Ensure accurate data capture and reporting on key metrics such as downtime, waste, and quality.
• Maintain BRC AA accreditation standards and 5S site hygiene protocols.
• Collaborate with Print, Corrugation, Conversion, and Engineering teams to optimise performance.
• Manage costs effectively and identify opportunities for capital investment.
• Provide engaging leadership, set clear targets, and support team development through PDRs and training plans.

The Person

• Significant senior management experience in corrugated or fast paced manufacturing.
• Strong leadership, communication, and coaching skills.
• Proven ability to drive change and deliver operational improvements.
• Analytical mindset with a focus on data-driven decision-making.
• Qualifications in management and continuous improvement (e.g., Six Sigma) are highly desirable.
• Flexible and proactive approach to managing major projects and busy periods.

The Package

We recognise that great people drive great results — that’s why we offer a competitive salary and benefits package, including:

• 33 days holiday (including bank holidays)
• Up to 6% employer pension contribution
• Performance-related bonus
• Private medical cover for you and your family
• Income Protection Insurance
• 4x salary death in service benefit

The Company

Cepac is the UK’s leading independent corrugated packaging producer. At our Darlington site, we specialise in Flutepac – a brand of sustainable, paper-based food packaging designed for the “food-to-go” market, fresh produce, baked goods, ready meals and more. Flutepac provides innovative alternatives to plastic packaging, supporting our customers in meeting consumer demand for eco-friendly solutions while reducing environmental impact.

Join a forward-thinking team where your expertise will help shape the future of our Darlington site and deliver outstanding results for our customers.

Meadows Road, Brookfield Park
Manvers, Wath Upon Dearne
Rotherham
S63 5DJ
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Paper Mill Road, Rawcliffe Bridge
Goole
East Riding of Yorkshire
DN14 8SL
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]