Production Manager

Cooper Golding is recruiting on behalf of our client a well-established manufacturing business seeking an experienced Production Manager.    Job Title: Production Manager Job Type: Permanent | Full-time Location: Barnstaple Salary: £45,000 - £50,000 per annum   About the role: This is a senior, hands-on leadership role with full responsibility for production planning, workflow, staffing, KPIs, cost control, and health & safety, working closely with the Manufacturing Director and wider management team. You will lead operational performance, people development, and continuous improvement across the production function.   Key Responsibilities of the Production Manager:   Production Planning & Delivery: Ensure production plans and schedules are achieved in line with customer demand and lead times Oversee end-to-end production workflow, output targets, and departmental performance Develop and maintain long-term production plans to meet deadlines and growth objectives Monitor progress, identify delays or risks, and report issues to senior management People Leadership & Development: Promote, recruit, train, and develop supervisors and production staff Build strong staff relationships, trust, and a positive performance-driven culture Set performance goals and carry out productivity reviews and appraisals Drive leadership development, time management, and task prioritisation Ensure appropriate staffing levels across departments Process Control & Continuous Improvement: Ensure all SOPs are current, accurate, and implemented across all departments Maintain accurate production timings with regular audits and checks Lead root cause analysis and approve long-term corrective actions Champion lean manufacturing, 5S, and continuous improvement initiatives Work cross-functionally to improve processes, tooling, and fixtures Implement improvements to reduce waste, improve efficiency, and lower costs Quality, Health & Safety: Maintain a safe working environment with full compliance to health & safety standards Ensure quality and efficiency targets are consistently met Lead investigations and preventative actions relating to quality or safety issues Stock, Materials & Cost Control: Ensure stock checks are accurate, up to date, and completed regularly Communicate with purchasing and accounts to guarantee material availability Manage production budgets and control departmental expenditure Analyse production costs and identify cost-saving opportunities Approve equipment upgrades and process investments where required Reporting & Strategy: Monitor KPIs and analyse performance trends Prepare management-level reports on productivity, efficiency, and output Participate in strategic production planning meetings with the Manufacturing Director About the Production Manager Candidate:   Essential: Proven experience in a Production Manager or senior manufacturing leadership role Strong people management and leadership capability Experience with lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and KPI-driven environments Solid understanding of production planning, workflow management, and cost control Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis capability Desirable: Experience in a high-volume or precision manufacturing environment Knowledge of 5S, lean tools, and waste reduction methodologies Budget management and capital investment experience Benefits of the Production Manager Role: Competitive salary package + bonus Senior leadership role with genuine influence and autonomy Opportunity to shape culture, performance, and continuous improvement Long-term career progression within a stable manufacturing business Death in Service Pension Free Parking