Role: Production Manager

Salary: £40k to £53k

Office Hours: Monday to Friday (40 hours), occasional Saturday

Generally 9am to 5pm, but flexibility on earlier starts and later finishes will be an advantage.

Job Overview:

Our client is seeking a dynamic and people-oriented Production Manager to lead our production team. As a Production Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the manufacturing process, ensuring the production of bespoke textile sampling products meets quality standards, timelines, and customer expectations. You will work closely with a team of skilled operatives, technicians, and other departments, fostering a positive and collaborative work culture while driving continuous improvement in production efficiency and safety.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Team Management:

* Lead, mentor, and motivate a diverse production team including 2 assistant production managers, an operations planner and a Quality Co-ordinator, ensuring they have the resources and support needed to succeed.

* Promote a positive, inclusive, and respectful team environment where everyone feels valued and empowered.

* Provide regular feedback, coaching, and development opportunities to staff, helping them grow professionally inline with set out company policies.

* Work with the Operations Planner to deliver the production schedule and accommodate changes in orders, product designs, or unforeseen delays.

* Prioritise the health and safety of all team members by adhering to industry regulations and company policies.

Quality Control & Continuous Improvement:

* Ensure that all products meet the company's quality standards by implementing and maintaining rigorous quality control processes.

* Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance production efficiency, reduce waste, and optimize resource utilisation.

* Work proactively with the quality control team and the commercial team to resolve any production issues or defects.

Collaboration & Communication:

* Foster effective communication between the production team, other departments (sales, design, logistics), and management.

* Participate in regular meetings to discuss production goals, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.

* Ensure that all production-related issues are reported promptly and clearly to senior management.

Resource Management:

* Oversee the efficient use of materials, tools, and machinery, ensuring minimal downtime and optimal output.

* Manage stock levels of raw materials and ensure timely reordering to avoid production delays.

* Review staffing levels on a regular basis to ensure that the overtime and temporary staffing levels are inline with budget and revenue.

Key Skills & Qualifications:

* Proven experience in a production management role within the bespoke manufacturing industry or a similar field.

* Strong people management and leadership skills, with the ability to inspire and support a team.

* Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

* A deep understanding of the bespoke manufacturing process and attention to detail.

* Knowledge of production planning, quality control, and health and safety regulations.

* Strong organizational and time-management abilities, with the flexibility to manage multiple priorities.

* Problem-solving mindset with a continuous improvement focus.

* A passion for working with people and fostering a positive workplace culture.

Preferred:

* Experience with lean manufacturing or other process improvement methodologies.

* Familiarity with textile-specific machinery and technologies.

* Previous experience in a customer-facing role is an advantage, our client often deal with bespoke orders and unique customer needs