Assistant Production Manager

Assistant Production Manager
Salary: £42,000 per annum
Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00am – 4:00pm Location: SE18, Woolwich, London.

About the Role

Our client is a well-established and respected business within the essential oils and food ingredients industry, with a long-standing reputation for quality, innovation, and sustainability.

Operating from a fast-paced manufacturing environment, they specialise in producing high-quality natural products used in the food, flavour, and fragrance sectors. This is an exciting opportunity to join a collaborative Production team within a company that values continuous improvement and professional development.

This role offers more than just a position as an Assistant Production Manager, it provides a genuine opportunity to build a long-term career, develop industry expertise, and make a meaningful impact from day one.

Key Responsibilities

• Allocate and distribute work across the Production area
• Monitor work-in-progress (WIP) and assess daily production capacity
• Order production consumables and essential supplies
• Arrange plant and equipment (e.g. FLTs, pumps, packaging)
• Coordinate and book transport for UK deliveries
• Work closely with the Production Manager to ensure timely completion of goods for dispatch
• Liaise with Logistics, Quality Control, and Stock departments to ensure smooth operations
• Support the management of production staff, including performance, motivation, and attendance

Candidate Requirements

• Proven experience within a food manufacturing environment
• Experience supervising or managing staff, with readiness to step into a junior management role (10+ direct reports)
• Strong people management skills, including performance and attendance management
• Experience with BRC, HACCP, and HSE standards and audits
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Ability to collaborate effectively across departments
• Strong attention to detail with a logical and pragmatic approach to problem-solving
• Valid FLT licence and experience
• GCSEs (or equivalent) including minimum Grade 5/6 in English and Maths

What’s on Offer

• Competitive salary of £42,000 per annum
• Stable Monday to Friday working hours (8am – 4pm)
• Opportunity to join a growing and reputable business
• Supportive team environment with opportunities for career progression
• Hands-on role with real impact from the outset