Production Manager - Factory Based

Production Manager – Factory Based
Location: North London
Company: Goldstein Smoked Salmon
Role Type: Full-time, factory-based

About Us
Goldstein Smoked Salmon is a long-established smoked salmon manufacturer based in North London. We are a growing business with strong ambitions, investing heavily in automation, machinery, improved systems and better ways of working across our factory.

We are looking for a hands-on Production Manager who wants to be on the factory floor, leading people, improving standards and making sure production runs properly every day.

This is not an office-based role. We are looking for someone who is comfortable being present in the factory, working closely with supervisors, operatives, engineering, technical and senior management to drive performance, discipline, productivity and consistency.

The Role
The Production Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day running of production within the factory, ensuring that orders are produced safely, efficiently, to specification and on time.

This role would suit someone currently working as a strong Production Supervisor, Shift Supervisor or Assistant Production Manager who is ready to take the next step into management. We are looking for someone ambitious, practical and highly visible on the factory floor.

You will be expected to lead by example, support and challenge supervisors, manage staff performance, improve productivity and help create a stronger culture of accountability within the factory.

Key Responsibilities
• Manage the day-to-day operation of the production floor.
• Ensure production targets are met safely, efficiently and to the required quality standards.
• Be present on the factory floor, actively managing people, processes and standards.
• Lead, support and develop production supervisors and team leaders.
• Monitor staff performance, productivity, attendance, conduct and timekeeping.
• Help improve discipline, structure and accountability across the production team.
• Ensure production plans are followed and issues are dealt with quickly.
• Work closely with technical, quality, hygiene, engineering and dispatch teams.
• Ensure food safety, hygiene and health and safety procedures are followed at all times.
• Identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies and areas for improvement.
• Support the introduction of new machinery, automation and improved production processes.
• Help train staff and ensure employees understand what is expected of them.
• Maintain high standards of housekeeping, organisation and factory discipline.
• Communicate clearly with senior management about production performance, issues and improvements.
• Step in where needed to solve problems and keep production moving.

What We Are Looking For

We are looking for someone who is hands-on, practical and comfortable spending most of their time in the factory rather than in the office.

The ideal candidate will have:
• Experience working in food manufacturing, ideally in chilled, fresh, seafood or high-care production.
• Previous experience as a Production Supervisor, Shift Supervisor, Team Leader or Production Manager.
• A strong understanding of factory discipline, labour management and production efficiency.
• The confidence to manage people fairly but firmly.
• A practical, problem-solving approach.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work with different departments.
• Good attention to detail and a commitment to quality and food safety.
• The ability to work under pressure in a fast-moving production environment.
• A desire to progress and grow with the business.
• A willingness to be highly visible and actively involved on the factory floor.

What We Do Not Want
This role is not suitable for someone who wants to manage production mainly from an office.

We need someone who wants to be involved, present and hands-on — someone who understands that good production management happens on the factory floor, with the team, not behind a desk.

Personal Qualities
The successful candidate will be:
• Hands-on and proactive.
• Firm but fair.
• Organised and reliable.
• Confident managing people.
• Calm under pressure.
• Ambitious and keen to progress.
• Practical rather than overly corporate.
• Comfortable challenging poor performance.
• Focused on standards, productivity and continuous improvement.

Why Join Us?
This is a great opportunity for someone who wants to grow into a proper production management role within a business that is investing in its future.

You will have the chance to make a real impact, improve how the factory runs and become an important part of the company’s next stage of growth.

For the right person, this role offers genuine progression and the opportunity to develop with the business.

How to Apply
Please send your CV and a short covering note explaining your experience and why you are interested in this role.