Production Manager - Packaging & Print

Kairos Recruitment; Derby; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Kairos Recruitment partners with a Derby-based manufacturing business to recruit an experienced Production Manager. You will lead a 40-strong team across Print, Lamination and Conversion, driving safe, efficient and high-quality production.

You will develop the team, implement SOPs, and steward continuous improvement, 5S and Right First Time while delivering against Safety, Delivery, Quality, Cost and People KPIs.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as Production Manager or senior leader.
• Experience in Print, Lamination and Conversion.
• Experience managing large production teams.
• Strong knowledge of KPIs, production planning and resource management.
• Track record of driving continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and develop a team of approximately 40 production employees across Print, Lamination and Conversion.
• Oversee Print, Lamination and Conversion operations.
• Drive performance against Safety, Delivery, Quality, Cost and People KPIs.
• Manage production planning, labour, machinery and resources.
• Lead daily production meetings and drive effective problem-solving.
• Champion Continuous Improvement, Right First Time (RFT) and 5S.
• Develop and maintain SOPs and best-practice processes.
• Support recruitment, training, development and succession planning.
• Maintain high standards of Health & Safety.
• Monitor performance and identify opportunities to improve productivity and efficiency.

Skills

Production management

Leadership

Team development

Print/Lamination/Conversion

KPIs & planning

Health & Safety

Continuous Improvement

Problem solving

Job description

Production Manager - Packaging

Location: Derby
Salary: Dependent on experience
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8:30am-5:30pm | Friday, 8:30am-3:00pm

The Opportunity

We are working exclusively with a successful and growing manufacturing business in Derby to recruit an experienced Production Manager.

This is a key leadership position responsible for managing a production workforce of approximately 40 people across Print, Lamination and Conversion.

The successful candidate will be responsible for driving safe, efficient and high-quality production, while developing the team and supporting the business through an exciting period of planned growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and develop a team of approximately 40 production employees.
• Oversee Print, Lamination and Conversion operations.
• Drive performance against Safety, Delivery, Quality, Cost and People KPIs.
• Manage production planning, labour, machinery and resources.
• Lead daily production meetings and drive effective problem-solving.
• Champion Continuous Improvement, Right First Time (RFT) and 5S.
• Develop and maintain SOPs and best-practice processes.
• Support recruitment, training, development and succession planning.
• Maintain high standards of Health & Safety.
• Monitor performance and identify opportunities to improve productivity and efficiency.

About You

• Proven experience as a Production Manager or senior production leader.
• Essential: experience and knowledge within Print, Lamination and Conversion.
• Experience managing and developing sizeable production teams.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing KPIs, production planning and resource management.
• A proven track record of driving Continuous Improvement.
• Strong leadership, communication and people-management skills.
• A hands‑on and proactive approach to operational management.