Factory Manager

• 
• London
• 

Factory Manager

We’re recruiting for an experienced manufacturing leader to take full responsibility for a scaling food manufacturing site in London. This role carries end-to-end accountability for operational performance, site culture, compliance, and commercial delivery.

You will lead from the front — building a high-performing team, ensuring rigorous safety and food standards, and driving operational improvements as the business scales. This is a visible, hands-on leadership role suited to someone who thrives in a fast-paced food production environment.

What You’ll Own

End-to-End Site Performance

• Full accountability for production output, service levels, and operational efficiency
• Delivery against daily and weekly production plans
• Oversight of Production, Site, and Stock leadership teams
• Clear KPI management across yield, waste, labour utilisation, and downtime
• Strong coordination across planning, warehouse, and manufacturing functions

Safety, Compliance & Accreditation

• Leadership of all Health & Safety practices in line with UK legislation
• Embedding a proactive, safety-first culture across all departments
• Maintaining food manufacturing compliance standards (transitioning from SALSA to BRC accreditation)
• Management of internal audits and external regulatory/customer inspections
• Ensuring risk assessments, SOPs, and training frameworks remain robust and current

Food Integrity & Quality Standards

• Accountability for food safety and product integrity across the entire site
• Close partnership with Technical and QA to protect traceability and compliance
• Driving a “right first time” production mindset
• Oversight of raw material controls, allergen management, and stock rotation processes

Leadership & Team Development

• Visible leadership presence on site, five days per week
• Coaching and development of direct reports to strengthen management capability
• Clear structures for accountability across shifts and departments
• Workforce planning, recruitment support, and succession development
• Building a culture of ownership, engagement, and continuous improvement

Commercial & Operational Efficiency

• Management of site budgets and operational cost control
• Identification of efficiency gains without compromising safety or quality
• Improvement of productivity, stock accuracy, and labour performance
• Contribution to long-term capacity planning and strategic operations discussions

Continuous Improvement & Process Excellence

• Leading lean initiatives and structured improvement programmes
• Reducing waste, downtime, and operational bottlenecks
• Implementing practical problem-solving methodologies
• Promoting innovation and best practice within a food manufacturing setting

Reporting & Risk Management

• Regular operational reporting to the Operations Director
• Early escalation of risks relating to compliance, safety, or performance
• Contribution to board-level updates on production, H&S, and quality metrics

About You

You are an experienced manufacturing leader with a strong operational backbone and the ability to inspire teams in a growing SME environment.

You will bring:

• A proven track record in senior manufacturing leadership
• Experience within food production (chilled, fresh, or high-care environments preferred)
• Strong working knowledge of UK Health & Safety and food safety standards
• Demonstrable success managing cross-functional leadership teams
• Commercial awareness with experience managing budgets and cost controls
• A hands-on, decisive leadership approach
• Strategic thinking balanced with attention to operational detail
• Resilience, pragmatism, and a solutions-oriented mindset
• Strong communication and organisational capability