Production Manager - Interim

Danish Crown A/S; Rochdale; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Danish Crown UK is seeking an interim Production Lead for a six-month contract on site in Rochdale. You will manage one production shift (AM/PM), taking ownership of safety, quality and output targets across lines with a focus on continuous improvement and coaching of staff.

The role requires hands-on leadership, effective communication, and solid experience in FMCG/food manufacturing, with Lean and SAP familiarity.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of leading production or operations within an FMCG environment, ideally within food manufacturing.
• Hands-on, inspiring leadership style with excellent communication skills.
• In-depth knowledge of food production processes, Lean principles, safety and quality compliance, along with working knowledge of SAP.

Responsibilities

• Execute daily production on shift and meet targets across active lines.
• Lead and develop the shift supervisor team and broader workforce.
• Promote safety and quality, uphold SOPs and regulatory standards.
• Identify root causes, apply Lean methods, collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Report key shift metrics and participate in Tier 1 governance meetings.

Skills

Leadership

Lean principles

Communication

Tools

SAP

Job description

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Step into a high-impact, six-month interim role driving operational excellence, safety and shift performance across our production lines in Rochdale.

What you will be doing

In this dynamic interim position, you will lead one of our key production shifts (AM or PM), taking full ownership of safety, quality standards and output targets across all active lines.

• Executing Daily Production: Deliver planned shift production targets on time and to exact specifications, managing task allocations and daily workflows effectively.
• Leading & Developing People: Motivate and develop the shift supervisor team and broader workforce, fostering a performance-driven culture through regular feedback and coaching.
• Championing Safety & Quality: Promote a safety-first culture while upholding strict quality regulations, compliance standards and site standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Problem-Solving & Continuous Improvement: Identify root causes of production issues, implement Lean methodologies and partner with cross-functional site teams to ensure continuous workflow efficiency.
• Operational Reporting & Governance: Ensure accurate reporting of key shift metrics and figures, whilst deputising for the Operations Manager and leading Tier 1 meetings when required.

What you will bring

We are looking for a proactive operational leader who thrives in fast-paced environments and leads by example on the shop floor. You will combine sharp decision-making with a strong focus on continuous improvement and team coaching.

• Experience: Proven track record of leading production or operations within an FMCG environment, ideally within food manufacturing.
• Soft Skills: A hands-on, inspiring leadership style with excellent communication skills, strong initiative and the ability to build collaborative, accountable teams.
• Hard Skills: In-depth knowledge of food production processes, Lean principles, safety and quality compliance, along with working knowledge of ERP systems such as SAP.

This six-month fixed-term contract offers a competitive salary, working 37.5 hours per week across flexible shift patterns between 05:15 and 23:30. It provides an excellent platform to bring your expertise to a high-volume site where your work will directly influence output, safety and shift efficiency.

At Danish Crown, you will enjoy real operational autonomy within a supportive, teamwork-focused culture. You will collaborate with dedicated colleagues who value open communication, practical problem-solving and mutual respect, giving you the space to make a genuine mark on our UK operations.

About us

Danish Crown UK is a business built on trust, teamwork and ambition. We exist to deliver food that people believe in, and we know that takes strong leadership and collaborative cultures.

Our leadership principles guide us. We act for the good of the whole organisation. We hire brilliant people and help them grow. We are ambitious, curious and open to new ideas. We build trust by accepting mistakes as part of development. We believe real leadership is earned through example, not title.

Whoever joins us will help create a workplace where people feel safe to speak up, share ideas, challenge old ways of working and stretch themselves to achieve more. If that sounds like the environment where you thrive, we would love to hear from you.