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