Manufacturing Manager

Manufacturing Manager

Newton Aycliffe Full Time

Summary and Purpose

As a dynamic and tactical Manufacturing Manager, you will steer our business toward achieving key strategic objectives through robust cross-functional collaboration. You will spearhead the transition to a world-class manufacturing function, enhancing our customer experience by ensuring the delivery of high-quality products with a right-first-time approach. The Manufacturing Manager’s role is crucial in upholding our commitment to customer-centricity, with a strong focus on maximizing customer satisfaction.

Immediate Priorities

• Site Familiarity – Get to know the site, the business and most importantly, the people. We are looking for someone who connects well with people at every level, makes people feel valued and is very comfortable being on the shop floor every day.
• Operational Capability – Gather a baseline understanding of our current operational capability. Whilst it will take time to develop our people capabilities, it will be key to bring our people onboard to grasp the basics quickly to create a foundation to build daily, weekly routines to enable a safe and successful environment with 100% colleague engagement.
• Safety and Compliance – Review current safety protocols and ensure compliance with health, safety and environmental regulations to maintain a safe working environment for all employees.

Main Responsibilities

Leadership

• Vision Setting – Defining a clear vision and goals for the manufacturing team.
• Strategic Tactical Planning – Developing and executing tactical plans to achieve organisational objectives.
• Decision Making – Making informed and timely decisions that align with organisational goals.
• Team Building – Fostering a positive and collaborative culture, promoting effective communication and teamwork.
• Motivation – Inspiring and motivating team members to achieve their best and contribute to organisational success.
• Performance Management – Evaluating and managing individual and team performance, creating an environment for two-way constructive feedback, and facilitating growth.
• Conflict Resolution – Addressing conflicts within the team or functions by finding timely constructive resolutions.
• Communication – Communicating a clear and compelling vision, ensuring transparency and keeping all team members informed and engaged.
• Strategic Alignment – Ensuring that the team’s efforts align with the broader organisational strategy and goals by providing clarity of their contribution.

General & Task Management

• Prioritisation – Ability to identify and prioritise tasks based on urgency, importance and impact on production goals, ensuring that critical activities receive appropriate attention and resources.
• Time Management – Skill in allocating time efficiently to different tasks and activities, setting realistic deadlines and managing workflow to meet production schedules and deadlines.
• Task Delegation – Capacity to delegate tasks appropriately to team members based on their skills, strengths, and workload, while providing clear instructions and support to ensure successful task completion.
• Goal Setting – Proficiency in setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals for production targets, departmental objectives and individual performance, guiding efforts toward desired outcomes.
• Communication – Ability to communicate effectively with team members, supervisors and key stakeholders, providing updates, seeking clarification and addressing concerns to ensure alignment and collaboration across all functions.
• Continuous Improvement – Seek opportunities to optimise manufacturing processes to reduce costs. Stay informed about industry best practices and implement improvements accordingly.
• Performance Monitoring – Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for manufacturing and identify areas of improvement and implement corrective actions.
• Adaptability – Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities, unexpected events and evolving business requirements, adjusting plans and strategies as needed to maintain productivity and meet overall production goals.

People

• Team Leadership – Provide clear direction, motivation, and leadership to the direct team by fostering a positive and collaborative culture.
• Recruitment and Onboarding – Participate in the recruitment process to select qualified team members and facilitate their onboarding.
• Training and Development – Identify training needs and provide ongoing professional development opportunities, supporting team members in acquiring new skills and knowledge.
• Goal Setting – Set short‑term production goals and targets in alignment with overall business objectives to drive performance and accountability.
• Resource Allocation Prioritisation – Assess resource availability, including skills, equipment, materials to ensure efficient utilisation and smooth running of daily manufacturing.
• Continuous Improvement – Foster a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging feedback, implementing best practices and promoting innovation within the manufacturing facility.

Desirable but Not Essential

• Experience in kitchen manufacturing or KBB industry.
• Relevant degree or management qualification.
• Quality management expertise (e.g., ISO 9001).
• Minimum Green Belt or equivalent Lean qualification.
• Change management qualification (e.g., ADKAR).

Personal Attributes

• Confident and self‑assured.
• Challenges constructively using helpful feedback.
• Debates topics and gains consensus on core issues.
• Engages and inspires others.
• Coaching and supportive.
• Curious and perceptive.

Technical Experience

• 3‑5 years of senior management experience within a manufacturing background.
• 5‑10 years of manufacturing leadership experience.
• Management of teams with a minimum of 20–70 staff.
• Coaching and motivating experience – ideally in a manufacturing environment achieving results through others.
• Data analysis – experience turning data into action plans.
• Communicating with impact – presentation skills in creation and delivery.
• Proactive leadership – energy and drive.
• Computer literate (Windows) and able to pick up new applications quickly.

Benefits

We offer an environment that is friendly, welcoming and supportive. We encourage everyone to be the best they can be, working together to achieve great results.

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