Manufacturing Manager (Weekends)
Location: Newport
Working Pattern: Friday to Monday - 6 AM to 3 PM
Salary: 60,000 + Benefits + Autonomy + Progression
About the Opportunity
A leading UK food manufacturing business is looking for an experienced Manufacturing Manager to join its senior leadership team at a high-volume meals production site.
The facility produces approximately 1.6 million meals each week and operates in a fast-paced, performance-driven environment. The business is focused on maintaining high standards while offering clear opportunities for career progression.
The Role
This is a senior, hands-on leadership position with full accountability for site operations across the weekend shift.
Reporting to the Head of Operations, you will oversee manufacturing from Friday through Monday, covering the end of one production cycle and the start of the next. You will act as the senior escalation point for all operational matters during this period and take ownership of overall site performance.
The role requires a strong presence on the shop floor (around 50% of your time), leading teams, maintaining standards, and making real-time decisions to ensure smooth production.
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver performance against KPIs including service, quality, and cost
- Lead daily operations across a large-scale manufacturing environment
- Drive efficiency improvements and reduce waste
- Manage labour and material costs effectively
- Act as the senior escalation point for operational challenges
- Identify root causes and implement sustainable solutions
- Support new product launches and production transitions
- Lead, coach, and develop Shift Managers and operational teams
- Foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement
- Maintain strong visibility and engagement on the shop floor
Operational Scale
- Responsibility for 650-1200 employees
- Direct oversight of 300+ employees on-site daily
- Weekly output of approximately 1.6 million units
About You
- Proven experience in food manufacturing (essential)
- Track record of leading large teams in complex, high-volume environments
- Demonstrated ability to improve performance and operational efficiency
- Strong commercial awareness, particularly in labour and cost control
- Proactive, results-driven leadership style
- Comfortable working in a highly visible, hands-on role
- Experience with continuous improvement methodologies (desirable)
- Six Sigma Green Belt or equivalent (desirable)
Why Apply?
This is an opportunity to join a major player in the UK food manufacturing sector, offering genuine scope for career development. The business prioritises internal progression and provides a platform to make a significant impact in a large-scale, fast-moving production environment.
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