Production Manager - Bottling & Canning

Production Manager - Bottling & CanningRole Description

This is a full-time, on-site role for a Production Manager at Edwin Holden's Bottling Co. Ltd. The Production Manager will oversee day-to-day bottling and canning operations, ensuring production runs safely, efficiently, and to the highest quality standards. The role requires a hands-on leader with excellent organisational and people-management skills, capable of driving performance in a fast-paced and developing environment.

Key Responsibilities

1. Take full responsibility for the Production Teams, covering all aspects of staff management, production (from intake through to despatch), health & safety, quality targets, security, housekeeping, and hygiene.
2. Ensure all production meets the company’s quality systems, food safety standards, and customer requirements.
3. Build and sustain strong production teams that consistently deliver KPIs and exceed expectations.
4. Manage, develop, and motivate Team Leaders and Deputies, supporting succession planning and growth within the teams.
5. Monitor, measure, and report on production performance, including downtime and process efficiency.
6. Drive reductions in downtime through cost/time saving initiatives, embedding 5S and SMED principles.
7. Introduce and implement new processes and procedures that are effective and sustainable.
8. Plan and deploy labour effectively, rotating staff to broaden skills and ensuring holiday/absence cover within agreed budgets.
9. Conduct investigations and disciplinary procedures in line with company policy, where required.
10. Ensure clear and effective communication across all Production Team members and shifts.
11. Uphold all Health & Safety requirements, ensuring a safe working environment and resolving any issues promptly.
12. Lead problem-solving and troubleshooting activities, ensuring root causes are identified and resolved effectively.
13. Work closely with Team Leaders to ensure handovers between shifts are clear and effective.
14. Ensure training needs are identified and met to support current and future operational demands.
15. Play an active role in the company’s continuous improvement programme, contributing to long-term growth.
16. Maintain high housekeeping and hygiene standards to ensure a safe and clean workplace.
17. Ensure efficient use of company resources to deliver optimal operating costs.
18. Make sound operational decisions, aligned with the company’s organisational structure.
19. Lead by example in timekeeping, attendance, and professionalism.

Key Skills & Attributes

• Proven leadership experience in a fast-paced production environment (preferably food & drink, FMCG, or bottling/canning).
• Strong people-management skills, with the ability to motivate and develop teams.
• A proactive mindset with excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Knowledge of continuous improvement tools such as 5S, SMED, Lean, or similar.
• Strong commitment to health & safety and food safety standards.
• Organised, resilient, and able to perform under pressure.