Production Manager

The Oval Partnership is currently supporting a specialist SME food manufacturing business to recruit a Production Manager for their facility in the Poole area. Reporting to a Group Operations Manager, the successful Production Manager is a hands-on leadership position responsible for the day-to-day running of the manufacturing site. You will manage production staff, oversee planning and scheduling, maintain top-tier product quality, and ensure orders are delivered on time—particularly during key seasonal peaks. You will work cross-functionally with the Operations, Technical/Quality, Purchasing, and Warehouse teams to continuously drive efficiency while protecting product authenticity. Key Responsibilities: * Production Planning & Execution: Plan and manage daily and weekly production schedules to meet target deadlines. * Team Leadership: Lead, supervise, train, and mentor the production team across all operational stages * Operational Process Management: Oversee processes and implement continuous improvements to boost manufacturing efficiency. * Seasonal Scale-Up: Effectively manage seasonal scale-ups and staffing levels to successfully meet peak market demand. * Quality & Safety: Maintain strict product consistency, hygiene, food safety, and health & safety compliance across the floor. * Inventory & Cross-Department Collaboration: Monitor stock levels of raw ingredients and packaging, coordinating closely with Purchasing and Warehouse teams. * Performance Tracking: Record key production data and performance metrics to track site success. Essential Qualifications & Experience: * Industry Experience: Previous experience as a Production Manager or Supervisor within food manufacturing * Leadership Skills: Proven track record of strong people-management and team-leadership capabilities. * Operational Acumen: Strong organisational skills with experience managing production schedules, stock monitoring, and peak seasonal volume scaling. Personal Attributes: * Hands-On Approach: A leader who thrives on being active on the production floor and setting high standards by example. * Quality-Focused: Dedicated to preserving high-end artisan standards in a scalable manufacturing environment. * Collaborative communicator: Able to liaise effectively across Operations, Quality, Purchasing, and Logistics functions. Application via cv