Production Manager
1 day ago
Widnes
Powder Blending Production Manager Job Title: Powder Blending Production Manager Reports to: Operations Manager / Site Director Salary: £37,500 – £40,000 (after probation) Hours: 42.5 hours per week Contract: Full-time, Permanent About the Role A well-established food manufacturing operation is seeking an experienced, hands‑on Powder Blending Production Manager to oversee the daily running of its powder blending department. The site operates from a modern, high‑capacity food processing facility and is known for delivering high-quality ingredients and driving new product innovation. This position plays a key role within a growing production environment, contributing to continuous improvement, operational efficiency, and the development of a skilled team. Role Overview This is a leadership role that requires full ownership of powder blending operations. You will be responsible for planning, execution, people management, and performance across multiple shifts. The ideal candidate will have strong technical knowledge of powder blending processes, excellent organisational skills, and the ability to drive high standards in safety, quality, and productivity. Key Responsibilities • Manage the daily operations of the powder blending department, • Create and oversee production schedules to meet customer demand, • Ensure appropriate staffing levels, shift coverage, and resource allocation, • Lead and supervise production teams, including shift leaders, • Ensure all orders are completed on time, in full, and to required quality specifications, • Maintain stock control, traceability, and accurate batch documentation, • Ensure compliance with allergen controls, CCPs, and hygiene procedures, • Maintain cleanliness and hygiene across the entire department, • Collaborate with Warehouse, Technical, and Administration teams, • Monitor and communicate KPIs, ensuring performance targets are met, • Investigate and address non-conformances promptly, • Drive continuous improvement initiatives, • Oversee staff training, development, and competency assessments, • Manage recruitment, performance reviews, and disciplinary matters when needed, • Monitor attendance, sickness levels, and workforce performance, • Ensure equipment is maintained and coordinate with engineering teams, • Attend management meetings and provide departmental updates, • Support customer complaint investigations and remedial actions, • Provide cover for other managers when required Required Skills & Experience • Minimum 3 years’ experience in powder blending (essential), • Strong background in production planning and raw material management, • Experience working with allergens and CCP controls in a food manufacturing environment, • Proven leadership experience within a production or processing setting, • Effective communication across multiple departments, • Competent in SAP and Microsoft Office (Excel/Word), • Experience managing staff performance and HR-related processes, • Strong organisational and problem-solving skills, • Ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing needs, • Reliability and flexibility regarding shift demands Work Ethic & Expectations This is a hands-on operational leadership role within a busy and fast-paced environment. The successful candidate will take full ownership of their department, communicate clearly, manage people confidently, and uphold high expectations around performance and standards. Accountability and proactive problem-solving are key traits for success in this role. Benefits • Competitive salary, • Company pension, • Comprehensive training and development, • Provided workwear, • 23 days annual leave, • Free on-site parking, • Dental allowance, • Gym subsidy, • Shopping and lifestyle discounts Wellbeing Benefits Include: • Health screening, • Employee Assistance Programme, • Complementary therapies and physiotherapy allowance, • Face‑to‑face counselling, • 24/7 GP service, • Additional wellbeing support