Production Manager Fresh Produce

Production Manager (Packhouse) Fresh Produce Herefordshire

Hours: 4 on / 3 off 12-hour days

Looking to take the step up into management?

Have a passion for driving performance and want to join a business with a culture that will nurture and develop those skills?

I've partnered with a leading Fresh Produce business to find them their next Production manager, this is a pivotal role within the site leadership structure, offering the chance to drive performance, influence operational strategy, and play a key part in shaping the future of the packhouse as it continues to evolve.

The Offer

Highly competitive salary
4 on / 3 off shift pattern
o Rotating days off (e.g. Thurs-Sat or Sun-Tues)
33 days holiday
A supportive environment with a strong team culture
Opportunity to play a key role in shaping how the operation develops

The Role

Reporting to the Head of Packing, you will take responsibility for driving efficiency, cost control, and performance across multiple production lines, working closely with fellow Production Managers, Supervisors, and operational teams.

Operating within a structure that blends hands-on production leadership with operational thinking, this role goes beyond day-to-day management, you will be expected to understand cost drivers, set targets, and continuously improve how the operation performs.

Key responsibilities include:

Driving performance across intake, production, and despatch areas
Managing cost per unit, labour efficiency, and waste, identifying gaps and implementing improvements
Planning and organising production to meet customer demand and tight despatch deadlines
Leading, motivating, and developing teams, ensuring clear communication and accountability
Supporting the development of a more structured, performance-led reporting culture
Analysing performance and reacting quickly to issues, identifying root causes and implementing next-day improvements
Deputising for the Head of Packing when required

The Operation

Multi-line, fast-paced fresh produce packhouse (7 lines)
Team of Production Managers working collaboratively across shifts
Strong investment in systems (MRP and in-house platforms)
A site going through a positive transition, with opportunities to improve structure, reporting, and performance culture

About You

This role will suit someone who is both operationally strong and commercially aware, with the confidence to challenge, improve, and lead from the front.

Experience in a food or fresh produce manufacturing environment
Proven ability to manage production teams in a fast-paced setting
Strong understanding of costs, efficiency, and operational KPIs
A continuous improvement mindset, able to identify issues and act on them quickly
The confidence to hold people accountable and drive standards
A calm, resilient approach under pressure
Strong communication skills and a desire to develop both yourself and the wider team

If this sounds like the right role for you, then feel free to reach out to me at (url removed) for a confidential chat, or click the link below to apply.