About this role
Production Manager - Food Manufacturing
Lead the operation. Develop the team. Drive performance.
Caught & Cured Ltd produces premium smoked salmon for customers who expect outstanding quality, consistency and service. Behind every finished product is a complex operation involving skilled people, careful planning, exacting food safety standards and countless decisions that must be made well.
We are looking for an experienced food manufacturing leader to play a pivotal role in the day-to-day performance of our production operation.
Working closely with the Factory Manager, you will turn operational priorities into effective action on the production floor. You will lead the production team, strengthen performance and ensure that demanding production, quality and food safety standards are consistently achieved.
This is not a desk-based management position. We need a visible and decisive leader who understands food manufacturing, enjoys being present on the production floor and knows how to turn plans, standards and performance data into results.
The Role
Our expectations are straightforward but demanding: produce the right product, in the right quantity, at the right time, safely, efficiently and to an exceptional standard.
Working in partnership with the Factory Manager, you will help translate the wider operational plan into effective daily production activity. You will understand what is happening across the production floor, anticipate risks, challenge inefficiencies and ensure that problems are properly resolved rather than repeatedly worked around.
Your key areas of responsibility will include:
Coordinating daily production activity in line with the priorities and direction agreed with the Factory ManagerDelivering the production plan and meeting customer requirementsLeading, organising and developing the production teamPlanning labour and deploying production resources effectivelyMonitoring productivity, labour efficiency, yield, waste, downtime and production costsMaintaining food safety, product quality, hygiene and GMP standardsEnsuring effective communication and handovers between shiftsIdentifying production risks and escalating significant operational concerns promptlyInvestigating production and quality issues and implementing agreed corrective actionsIntroducing practical and sustainable improvements to working methods and performanceProviding accurate production information, analysis and recommendationsMaintaining high health and safety standards throughout production You will work collaboratively with colleagues across Technical, Quality, Engineering and Supply Chain to ensure that production decisions support the performance of the entire factory and the wider objectives of the business. You will also provide appropriate operational management support and cover when reasonably required.
About You
We are not looking for someone who manages solely through spreadsheets, emails or instructions passed down from an office.
We need a Production Manager who is visible, credible and confident on the production floor. You will set clear expectations, develop your supervisors and hold people accountable while maintaining a positive and respectful working environment.
You will use data intelligently but understand the operational reality behind it. You will remain composed when priorities change, make sound decisions under pressure and turn improvement ideas into lasting working practices.
You will need:
At least five years’ management experience within food manufacturingPractical knowledge of HACCP, GMP, hygiene and food safety requirementsExperience of managing production plans, labour, productivity, yield, waste and costsA proven ability to lead, develop and hold production teams accountableStrong problem-solving and decision-making skillsA practical, organised and hands-on management styleThe confidence to challenge inefficient practices and introduce improvementsStrong communication, numerical and reporting skillsThe ability to work effectively with the Factory Manager and other departmentsCompetence in Microsoft Office and the use of production data Experience within seafood, chilled food or a high-care environment would be particularly valuable. Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing or another continuous improvement methodology would also be advantageous.
Why Join Us
Because your contribution will be visible and your results will matter.
You will join an established and growing business with a premium product, ambitious standards and a genuine commitment to improvement. Working alongside the Factory Manager, you will have the opportunity to influence how production is organised, how its people are developed and how performance is measured and improved.
This role offers:
A significant leadership position within the production operationMeaningful influence over production performance and team developmentThe opportunity to lead improvements with visible and measurable resultsA competitive salaryProfessional development and future career opportunities Interested
Tell us what you have improved, not simply what you have managed.
Please submit your CV and a covering letter outlining your food manufacturing experience, a measurable improvement you have led and why you are suitable for this opportunity.
Caught & Cured Ltd is an equal opportunities employer. We value different experiences and perspectives and welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates from all backgrounds.