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Manufacturing Manager
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Manufacturing Manager | Food Manufacturing
Dorset | Clear Progression to Site Director
Some Manufacturing Manager roles are about keeping production moving. Others give you the opportunity to shape the future of an entire site. This is one of those opportunities.
I'm exclusively partnering with a growing food manufacturing business in Dorset to appoint a Manufacturing Manager who will play a pivotal role in the next stage of the site's development - with a clear and genuine career pathway towards Site Director.
The business is going through an exciting period of transition and growth, and this appointment will be instrumental in strengthening manufacturing performance, developing the leadership team and building the operational foundations for the site's next chapter.
This isn't simply a role focused on delivering today's production plan.
It's an opportunity for an ambitious manufacturing leader to make a tangible impact on people, performance, culture and operational excellence, while positioning themselves for broader site leadership in the future.
The Opportunity
You'll take ownership of manufacturing across the site, leading Production Shift Managers and the wider manufacturing teams while creating an environment where safety, quality, delivery, cost and people performance are consistently prioritised.
You'll be a highly visible leader on the factory floor, working closely with your teams to solve problems, improve standards and drive accountability.
At the same time, you'll have the opportunity to influence the wider direction of the operation, working closely with the Site Director and key functions across the business.
The long-term objective is clear: develop into a broader site leadership position and ultimately step into the Site Director role as part of the site's succession plan.
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What You'll Be Doing
- Leading all manufacturing operations and ensuring production plans are delivered safely, efficiently and to the required quality and service levels
- Leading, coaching and developing the Shift Managers and building a stronger manufacturing leadership team
- Driving a culture centred around Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost and People
- Embedding strong operational discipline through structured tier meetings, daily performance reviews and clear accountability
- Championing a zero-harm safety culture and ensuring high standards of compliance across the operation
- Developing succession plans and future capability across the manufacturing function
- Working collaboratively with Engineering, Technical, Supply Chain, Planning, Warehousing, HR, Finance and Procurement
- Supporting the Site Director with the wider strategic development of the operation
Ultimately, you'll be responsible for creating a manufacturing operation that is safer, more efficient, more accountable and better equipped for future growth.
What We're Looking For
We're looking for an ambitious, engaging and commercially aware manufacturing leader who enjoys being close to the operation and, importantly, enjoys developing people.
You may already be a Manufacturing Manager, Operations Manager, Head of Manufacturing, Production Manager or a senior operational leader looking for the next step.
You'll bring:
- Significant leadership experience within food manufacturing environment
- Experience managing multiple production departments or a sizeable manufacturing operation
- A strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement
- A track record of improving productivity, efficiency, OEE, waste and cost performance
- The confidence to make decisions, challenge performance and lead through periods of change
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Most importantly, you'll be someone who leads from the front, builds trust through visibility and leaves teams stronger than you found them.
Why This Role?
There are Manufacturing Manager roles where your responsibility is to manage production.
And then there are roles where you're given the opportunity to build towards running the entire site.
This is the latter.
You'll join a business that is growing and going through a significant period of transition, giving you the opportunity to make a genuine mark on how the operation develops.
You'll have the autonomy to improve manufacturing performance, strengthen the leadership structure, develop future talent and help create the culture required for the next phase of growth.
And importantly, there is a clear succession pathway towards Site Director.
That means the opportunity here isn't just about what you achieve in your first 12 months.
It's about what you're capable of going on to achieve afterwards.
If you're an ambitious manufacturing leader who wants to make a significant impact today while building towards Site Director tomorrow, this is an opportunity worth exploring.
Interested?
This appointment is being managed exclusively by Zest Recruitment, so all applications and enquiries will be handled in complete confidence.
If you're looking for a genuine career progression opportunity and want to understand more about the business, the role and the longer-term pathway, I'd love to tell you more.
Apply today or contact Shaf Islam for a confidential conversation.
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