Production Manager

About Kerry

Kerry is the world’s leading taste and nutrition partner for the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries. Working behind the scenes, every day we partner with customers to solve the world’s most complex food challenges with our range of differentiated ingredients, technologies, and people. We are passionate about what we do and are constantly innovating to create a healthier, more enjoyable, and sustainable food future without compromise. We are driven to be our customers’ most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition and will reach over two billion consumers with sustainable nutrition solutions by 2030.

Our Safety purpose “we work together in a caring culture where everybody goes home safe every day”. We are committed to providing a safe working environment and ensuring that all safety protocols are strictly followed. Join us in creating a workplace where safety is everyone's responsibility.

About the role

We are recruiting a Production Manager for our liquid flavour manufacturing facility in Runcorn. As a key member of the Site Senior Leadership Team (SLT), you will lead all production activities, ensuring safe, efficient, and fully compliant operations across the site.

This role is responsible for delivering production plans, driving operational performance, developing high-performing teams, and maintaining the highest standards in quality, health and safety, customer service and cost control.

Working in close partnership with Supply Chain, Quality, Engineering, New Product Development (NPD), and Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) teams, you will provide leadership across manufacturing operations, support the achievement of business objectives and foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability and employee engagement. This is a full-time from Monday to Friday, permanent, site-based role located in Runcorn.

Key responsibilities

Safety, Health & Environment

• Champion a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with Health & Safety standards
• Drive continuous improvement (CI) through training, audits and risk management

Production Leadership

• Drive operational performance through planning, resource management and CI
• Improve key metrics including OEE, productivity, service levels and waste reduction

People Management & Development

• Lead and develop a team of approximately 40 employees
• Drive performance, succession planning and employee engagement

Quality & Food Safety

• Ensure compliance with GMP, HACCP, BRCGS, customer requirements, and food safety standards
• Drive quality performance, product compliance and corrective actions in partnership with Quality team

Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence

• Lead Lean Manufacturing and CI initiatives to enhance productivity, reduce waste and optimise processes
• Foster a culture of problem-solving and data-driven decision-making

Financial & Operational Performance

• Manage budgets, control costs,and support site performance objectives
• Contribute to capital projects and long-term business growth

Senior Leadership

• Participate to site strategy and decision-making as a member of the Senior Leadership Team
• Collaborate across functions to deliver business objectives and support change initiatives

Qualifications and skills

• Degree qualified in Engineering, Manufacturing, Food Science, Operations Management, or a related discipline
• Recognised Health & Safety qualification
• Demonstrable leadership experience managing large production teams in a manufacturing setting
• Significant production management experience within food, beverage, flavour, ingredient, chemical, or related process manufacturing environments
• Strong understanding of food safety standards, GMP, HACCP, and quality systems
• Experience of budget management and performance reporting
• Demonstrable experience driving continuous improvement and Lean Manufacturing initiatives.

We will offer

Join a collaborative site of around 70 employees where you'll have real visibility across the operation and the opportunity to work closely with teams across Production, Engineering, Quality, and Supply Chain. With a technologically advanced manufacturing environment and a seat on the Senior Leadership Team, this role offers broad exposure, continuous learning, and the opportunity to further develop your leadership career within a global organisation.

We also offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• 25 days annual leave (excluding bank holidays)
• Private Healthcare
• Matched pension scheme up to 10%
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Career development opportunities within a global organisation
• Perkbox platform offering discounts and offers with major retailers.