Production Manager

Neal's Yard Limited; Gillingham; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading cosmetics company in Gillingham is seeking a Production Manager to oversee end-to-end production across various departments. You will focus on quality and efficiency, championing data-driven decision-making and driving continuous improvement within a high-performing team. The ideal candidate will have a strong track record in cosmetic manufacturing, leadership experience, and hands-on capabilities in producing creams and emulsions. This role offers generous employee benefits and a focus on sustainable growth.

Benefits

Generous employee discount

Company pension

Group Life Assurance

Long service benefits

Paid community days

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Proven experience in cosmetic or similar manufacturing environments.
• Strong track record of leading teams and delivering operational KPIs.
• Hands-on experience with creams, emulsions and actives-rich formulations.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of end-to-end production across Manufacturing, Packing and Tinctures.
• Champion data-driven decision-making and lean initiatives.
• Support new product introductions and drive sustainable growth.

Skills

Leadership

Team motivation

Data-driven decision-making

Process optimisation

Education

Formal qualification in Chemistry, Cosmetic Science, Process Engineering or equivalent

Tools

Homogenisers

High shear mixers

Job description

Do you have a passion for operational excellence – delivering quality products that exceed expectations?

As our Production Manager, you’ll have a right first time approach, taking ownership of end-to-end production across Manufacturing, Packing and Tinctures. You’ll bring technical expertise, leadership and a continuous improvement mindset to optimise processes, ensure GMP compliance and deliver products on time, in full, and cost effectively. Working collaboratively with cross-functional teams, including our NPD, you’ll translate formulation science into robust, repeatable manufacturing methods and inspire a high-performing team to achieve outstanding results.

Uncompromising in your approach to quality and efficiency, you’ll champion data-driven decision-making and lean initiatives to improve yield, reduce downtime and enhance overall equipment effectiveness. Your ability to combine strategic planning with hands‑on execution will move our business forward, supporting new product introductions and driving sustainable growth.

You’ll have proven experience in cosmetic or similar manufacturing environments, with a strong track record of leading teams and delivering operational KPIs. Your passion for process optimisation and people development will be infectious, together with a commitment to safety, compliance and continuous improvement.

What you’ll have:

• A collaborative and positive approach, building strong relationships across teams
• Ability to inspire a small but mighty team and champion a solutions-focused mindset
• Hands-on experience producing creams, emulsions and actives-rich formulations, including essential oils/fragrances
• Deep understanding of GMP for cosmetics and safe raw material handling (COSHH)
• Proven ability to convert lab formulations into robust manufacturing methods
• Skilled in troubleshooting, root cause analysis and continuous improvement
• Familiarity with homogenisers, high shear mixers, vessel agitators and related equipment
• Strong grasp of QMS, GMP documentation and audit readiness
• Experience setting and interpreting KPIs (OTIF, OEE, yield, downtime)

Desirable:

• Formal qualification in Chemistry, Cosmetic Science, Process Engineering or equivalent
• Experience with scale‑up from lab to production and optimisation of mixing parameters
• Delivery of lean manufacturing projects and QA/QC system improvements

What you’ll get:

• Generous employee discount
• Company pension
• Group Life Assurance
• Long service benefits
• Paid community days
• Employee Assistance Programme