Production Manager

Bighams Limited; City of London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food production company in London is seeking a Production Manager to lead their production team. The role involves ensuring operational excellence, maintaining safety and quality standards, and driving efficiency improvements. Ideal candidates should possess strong leadership skills and a proven track record in managing large teams in a fast-paced environment. Join us to make a difference in food production.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of managing large teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Self-starter with prioritization skills.
• Strong focus on quality and improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead the production team to achieve operational excellence.
• Ensure safety and quality standards are met in production.
• Drive continuous improvement in processes and efficiency.

Skills

Strong leadership

Excellent analytical skills

Lean thinking

Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams

Coaching and influencing skills

Job description

Join to apply for the Production Manager role at Charlie Bigham’s | B-Corp

We are seeking a Production Manager to lead our production team in delivering operational excellence through the production of Bigham’s food, ensuring that all quality and production specifications are consistently met. The ideal candidate will be an inspiring leader with exceptional people skills and a proven track record of managing large teams in a fast‑paced environment. You will lead from the front, setting the tone and driving performance for a team of up to 100 colleagues.

Key Accountabilities

• Safety of the team and working environment
• Achieve all agreed Manufacturing KPI’s
• Deliver efficiency improvements in line with business strategy
• Install and embed LEAN
• Train the production team in roles or responsibilities regarding goals and targets in line with operations strategy
• Maintain metrics, reports, process documentation, customer service logs and other necessary documents

Health & Safety

• Ensure safe systems of work are in place for all production areas
• Champion behaviour‑based safety and a “zero accident” culture through regular feedback and leading by example
• Ensure team members are safe at all times and an appropriate programme of job‑related training is in place

Food Safety

• Deliver on our ambitious GMP targets to ensure the kitchen remains best‑in‑class and is always BRC audit‑ready
• Ensure all team members are trained to appropriate levels in food safety and that food safety rules are adhered to at all times

Quality

• Ensure products are produced to key card standards and that complaints remain below the agreed site target
• Work closely with NFD & EFD teams to ensure our food remains the market leader, with improvements to product or process delivered collaboratively
• Lead the delivery of new products into the kitchen, ensuring all data is captured and reviewed during the trial phase for a successful launch

Operational Performance

• Through lean production processes deliver continuous improvement in ways of working, quality and efficiency
• Take active involvement in developing a lean culture and setting lean routines
• Manage process and equipment improvement
• Ensure equipment is fully operational and, together with the engineering team, develop an effective TPM system
• Ensure production plans are fulfilled, delivering a service level in excess of 99%

Material Variance

• Ensure our material variance result remains under the agreed site target and work with support teams to drive this result as close to zero as possible
• Work with the planning team to develop processes that manage material flow, eliminate waste and drive efficiency

Team Development

• Ensure clear job descriptions and performance standards are in place for all roles
• Adapt the team structure to support business growth and volume variations, ensuring we have people trained in the right roles at the right time
• Lead and champion the bi‑annual appraisal process with regular reviews at all levels to drive performance improvements
• Develop and actively contribute to the “Kitchen Excellence” programme
• Build a high‑performing team that wants to work for us, demonstrated through our Great Place to Work survey results

General

• Work within the company’s rules and policies, introducing procedures where appropriate in conjunction with technical documentation requirements
• Adhere to the health and safety policy of the company and work within its guidelines to ensure personal safety of staff at all times

The Ideal Candidate

Attributes

• Strong leadership
• Self‑starter, able to prioritise and own goals
• High energy
• Strong quality and improvement focus
• Food values in line with Bigham’s
• Confident and determined
• Ambitious
• Ability to delegate
• Confident in challenging the status quo
• Decision making based on data

Skills and Knowledge Required

• Lean thinking
• Excellent analytical skills
• Operation improvement planning and delivery through effective project management
• Operations excellence standards
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross‑functional support teams
• Food knowledge
• IT and analytical skills
• Commercial awareness and financial awareness
• Ability to work and engage at all levels, instilling trust and respect
• Coaching and influencing skills
• Adaptability and embracer of change

Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Charlie Bigham’s | B-Corp by 2x.