Job Description
Production Manager – County Leitrim
Ref No: DT18738
County Leitrim, Republic of Ireland
Competitive salary
Production Manager – County Leitrim
Department: Operations
Reports to: Site Manager
The Role
Our client is seeking an experienced Production Manager to take overall responsibility for the day-to-day management and performance of production operations within a busy manufacturing environment.
Reporting to the Site Manager, the successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring the efficient and effective operation of the production facility, with accountability for production targets, quality standards, yields, cost controls, productivity and delivery schedules.
The Production Manager will lead production teams and work closely with cross-functional departments to ensure operational objectives are achieved while maintaining the highest standards of Health & Safety, Food Safety and Environmental compliance.
The role will also have responsibility for operational planning, performance management, continuous improvement and the ongoing development and optimisation of production processes.
Key ResponsibilitiesProduction & Operational Management
- Take overall responsibility for the planning, coordination and management of daily production activities to ensure safe, efficient and cost-effective operations.
- Develop and manage production plans in collaboration with Planning and Sales teams to meet customer demand.
- Take ownership of production, quality and service objectives and ensure agreed targets are consistently achieved.
- Monitor and manage daily production performance, including productivity, yields, waste, downtime and operational KPIs.
- Identify and implement improvements to production efficiency and manufacturing processes.
- Lead, manage and develop production teams to achieve the highest standards of safety, quality, productivity and customer service.
- Ensure customer orders are produced accurately and delivered in accordance with customer specifications and agreed timelines.
- Work closely with supervisors and production teams to ensure appropriate staffing, equipment and resources are available to meet production requirements.
- Make timely operational decisions to resolve production issues and minimise disruption to the manufacturing process.
Health, Safety & Compliance
- Take ownership of Health & Safety performance across the production department.
- Champion Health & Safety initiatives and promote a strong safety-first culture throughout the production team.
- Complete routine safety inspections and ensure safe systems of work are maintained.
- Ensure compliance with Health & Safety, Quality and Environmental policies and procedures.
- Identify and address operational risks and ensure appropriate corrective actions are implemented.
Quality & Continuous Improvement
- Lead New Product Introduction (NPI) and process improvement activities from a production perspective.
- Ensure production quality standards are consistently achieved.
- Lead Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement initiatives to improve productivity and reduce waste.
- Identify and implement operational improvements that enhance efficiency, reduce inventory and minimise production costs.
- Lead change management initiatives aligned with business objectives.
- Promote a culture of continuous improvement throughout the production function.
Maintenance & Resource Planning
- Liaise closely with the Maintenance team to ensure preventative maintenance programmes are completed and equipment downtime is minimised.
- Take responsibility for workforce planning and recruitment activities to ensure appropriate staffing levels are maintained.
- Ensure employees receive appropriate induction, training and ongoing development.
- Maintain training records and support the ongoing development of employee competencies.
- Ensure production resources are effectively planned and utilised to meet operational requirements.
Performance Management & Reporting
- Lead the performance management and development of production personnel.
- Conduct performance reviews and support the ongoing development of direct reports.
- Address performance issues in line with company policies and procedures.
- Prepare and review daily, weekly and monthly operational reports, including:
- Labour efficiency
- Productivity
- Recruitment and retention
- Attendance and absenteeism
- Equipment uptime and downtime
- Production KPIs
- Lead daily performance meetings and ensure agreed action plans are implemented and monitored.
- Report production performance, issues and opportunities to the Site Manager and wider management team.
Collaboration
Work closely with cross-functional teams including:
- Site Management
- Production
- Quality
- Dispatch & Logistics
- Maintenance
- Planning
- Health & Safety
- Human Resources
- Finance
to ensure operational objectives are achieved, production requirements are met and continuous improvement initiatives are successfully delivered.
Knowledge, Skills & ExperienceEssential Requirements
- Previous experience in a Production Manager, Production Supervisor, Production Team Leader or similar manufacturing management role.
- Proven experience managing production operations within a manufacturing or food production environment.
- Strong understanding of production planning, operational KPIs and manufacturing processes.
- Strong knowledge of Health & Safety, Quality and Food Safety standards.
- Proven experience leading, managing and developing production teams.
- Excellent organisational, communication and problem-solving skills.
- Strong analytical ability with a continuous improvement mindset.
- Good IT skills and experience using production reporting systems.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and make effective operational decisions in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Personal Attributes
- Hands-on leadership style with a proactive and practical approach.
- Strong organisational and planning skills.
- Ability to lead, motivate and develop teams.
- Results-driven with excellent attention to detail.
- Confident decision-maker with strong problem-solving ability.
- Strong communicator who can work effectively with stakeholders across the business.
- Committed to operational excellence, safety, quality and continuous improvement.
- Ability to take ownership and accountability for production performance.