Senior Production Manager

About the Position

CPL NI are proud to partner with one of the region’s most respected and established drinks manufacturers, a business renowned for its commitment to quality, innovation, and continuous growth. Operating from a state-of-the-art production facility in the North West, our client supplies an extensive range of products to leading retailers and consumers across the UK and Ireland. As they continue to invest in their people and operations, an exciting opportunity has arisen to join their high-performing team.

The Senior Production Manager is responsible for ensuring day-to-day operational standards. This role provides leadership to Production Managers, who in turn manage Production Supervisors. This position plays a critical role in optimising production processes, meeting key operational targets, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Salary: £50,000 - £70,000 depending on experience

Location: Sion Mills, United Kingdom

Responsibilities

• Team Leadership and Development

  • Lead, mentor, and develop the Production Managers and wider operations team, fostering a high-performance culture.
  • Conduct regular performance reviews, set clear objectives, and provide constructive feedback.
  • Identify training and development needs, ensuring that staff are equipped with the necessary skills.
  • Promote teamwork and collaboration across the production teams.
  • Manage workforce planning, including recruitment, succession planning, and resource allocation.
  • Review age demographics and skills profiling of the team to ensure the business protects its cover and capability.
  • Oversee absence management, including timekeeping, shift changes, and break management.
  • Address and resolve interpersonal conflicts or performance issues within the team in alignment with Human Resources policies.

• Production Performance

  • Ensure efficient allocation of resources to meet production demands and maintain quality standards.
  • Manage raw material supply and understand recipe requirements to facilitate production planning.
  • Optimise yields, reduce overfill, and minimise waste in line with company targets.
  • Monitor and report on production efficiencies, identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
  • Work with maintenance teams to ensure production equipment is well-maintained, proactively identifying areas for repair or improvement.
  • Plan and implement capacity management strategies to address fluctuations in demand and meet production schedules.

• Quality and Compliance

  • Oversee traceability protocols to ensure all products meet regulatory and company standards.
  • Manage Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards across the site(s), ensuring ongoing audit readiness and quality compliance.
  • Ensure that non-conformance issues are resolved with appropriate root cause analysis and corrective actions.
  • Ensure chemical usage records are reviewed as well as ensure safe and compliant practices.
  • Ensure the team conducts regular in-line quality checks, working with Quality Assurance to identify and address potential product quality issues.
  • Lead initiatives to identify and reduce quality variances, conducting post-audit reviews and implementing lessons learned.

• Documentation and Audit Management

  • Oversee quality systems and documentation, ensuring records are kept up-to-date for audits and regulatory inspections.
  • Lead start-up meetings and pre-audit preparations to ensure quality system compliance.
  • Maintain and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in line with best practices and regulatory requirements.
  • Implement a tracking system for compliance-related actions, ensuring timely completion and documentation.

• Cross-Departmental Collaboration

  • Work closely with the Supply Chain, Maintenance, and Quality departments to ensure cohesive operations and resolve production-related issues.
  • Collaborate with the Planning team to schedule production runs efficiently, based on demand forecasts and raw material availability.
  • Act as the primary point of contact between operations and other departments, sharing production performance data and discussing areas for improvement.

• Continuous Improvement and Innovation

  • Lead continuous improvement projects aimed at increasing productivity, reducing costs, and improving quality.
  • Conduct regular reviews of production workflows to identify inefficiencies and implement solutions.
  • Evaluate production processes and recommend adjustments to reduce cycle times, energy usage, and labour costs.

• Financial and Budget Management

  • Assist the Head of Operations in preparing the operational budget for the Ballybofey and Sion Mills sites.
  • Track and control operational expenses, ensuring adherence to the budget.
  • Identify areas where cost savings can be achieved without compromising product quality or operational efficiency.

• Health, Safety, and Environmental Management

  • Champion a safe working environment, conducting regular safety audits and risk assessments.
  • Ensure waste management practices comply with environmental standards, focusing on minimising cardboard, carton, and plastic waste.
  • Collaborate with the H&S Manager and other stakeholders site management to enforce safety procedures and promote a safety-first culture.
  • Oversee the investigation of accidents or incidents, ensuring proper reporting and corrective actions are taken.
  • Identify and implement best practices for environmental sustainability, including energy reduction and waste management programmes.
  • Lead by example, promoting a strong safety culture within the team.
  • Ensure all operational activities are conducted in compliance with health and safety regulations.

Requirements

• Essential:

  • Demonstrated experience in operations management within a fast-moving consumer goods environment.
  • Strong leadership skills with experience in managing, developing, and motivating large teams.
  • Strong understanding of production key performance indicators, Good Manufacturing Practice, and audit processes.
  • Skilled in data analysis and problem-solving to drive production efficiencies and manage waste.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to lead meetings and produce clear reports.
  • Excellent communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills with a focus on data-driven decision-making.
  • Experience managing health, safety, and compliance within an operations environment.
  • Proactive, hands-on approach with a strong sense of accountability and adaptability.

• Desirable:

  • Degree in Operations Management, Business, or a related field.
  • Familiarity with quality standards and health and safety practices in the food or beverage sector.
  • Experience in managing improvement projects within production settings.
  • Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma methodologies.
  • Proven experience in leading change management initiatives and driving continuous improvement.

We Offer

• Competitive salary range of £50,000 - £70,000 per annum.
• Opportunity to work in a state-of-the-art production facility.
• Career growth and development opportunities.
• A dynamic and innovative work environment.

About the Company

CPL NI is a leading recruitment and managed services company, dedicated to connecting talented professionals with exciting career opportunities. Our client is a renowned drinks manufacturer known for its commitment to quality, innovation, and continuous growth.