Production Operations Manager

Job Title: Production Operations Manager
Location: Halstead, Essex
Salary: £45,000 per annum
Hours: Ideally candidates willing to start from 7:00am, as production currently runs on a 6:00am – 2:00pm shift

Job Summary
Our client is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of dried ingredients, including edible nuts, dried fruit and seeds, with a strong reputation for quality and reliability. As the business continues to grow, they are investing in their people, systems and processes to support long-term success.

The Production Operations Manager will oversee all food manufacturing and warehouse operations, ensuring efficient production, accurate inventory control, and compliance with food safety standards. This role is key to driving operational excellence, managing staff, and ensuring the timely delivery of high-quality products.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and manage daily food production schedules to meet customer demand

• Ensure compliance with HACCP, BRC and other food safety regulations

• Oversee raw material and finished goods storage, ensuring stock rotation, traceability, and use of earliest best-before dates

• Monitor production KPIs, including efficiency, waste and yield, and implement improvements

• Coordinate dispatch, logistics and inter-warehouse stock transfers to ensure timely deliveries

• Lead and train production and warehouse teams on hygiene and safety standards

Key Accountabilities

• Maintain compliance with food safety audits and regulatory requirements

• Achieve production targets while minimising waste and downtime

• Ensure accurate inventory management and stock rotation

• Deliver on-time order fulfilment and customer satisfaction

• Control departmental budgets and optimise operational costs

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Proven experience in food manufacturing and warehouse management

• Strong knowledge of HACCP, BRC and food safety legislation

• Leadership and team management skills

• Excellent organisational and problem-solving abilities

• Proficiency in ERP systems and Microsoft Office

• Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

Benefits

• Free on-site parking

• Welcoming and experienced team

• 24 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays

• Basic pension scheme

• Salary sacrifice scheme

• Health and wellbeing programme with discounts and promotions

• On-site canteen

This is an excellent opportunity for a hands-on, experienced Production Operations Manager to join a growing and well-established business in Halstead, Essex.