Manufacturing Manager

Orion Group has a current opportunity for a Manufacturing Manager to join our clients team, on a full-time permanent basis, based in Alness.

Reporting to the Manufacturing Lead, the Manufacturing Manager will be responsible for ensuring production runs smoothly, efficiently, and in compliance with health & safety and quality standards. The role includes managing shift operations, ensuring budgeted labour, efficiency, and raw material standards are achieved while maintaining exceptional product quality and customer service.

With direct line management responsibility for Manufacturing Line Leads and Production Operative staff, the successful candidate will lead, develop, and coach their team to deliver high-quality output, all while promoting the company's vision and values. The Manufacturing Manager will also be required to represent the company during external audits, customer visits, and pre-production launches, while continuously driving improvements and championing lean processes with a strong focus on quality and customer delivery.

Key Responsibilities:

• Deputise for the Manufacturing Lead when needed, ensuring smooth operations and efficient production planning
• Effectively allocate partner resources, equipment, and materials to meet production targets, while minimising waste
• Lead daily briefings, sharing plans, KPIs, Health & Safety, and quality updates with the team
• Manage daily headcount, holiday and absence planning, including return-to-work reviews and discipline
• Maintain accurate records (payroll, training, skills matrix) and ensure clear, timely communication with partners
• Uphold Health & Safety, hygiene, and quality standards, liaising closely with the Technical Department
• Troubleshoot day-to-day operational issues that occur with support from Production Management Teams
• Monitor equipment condition and liaise with Engineering for repairs and preventative maintenance
• Lead, motivate, and develop the team, supporting training, development, and succession planning
• Identify and implement process improvements to drive efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness
• Liaise with the Technical Department to maintain and improve food safety and quality procedures, with aim of always being audit-ready
• Represent the department in audits, customer visits, and new product launches

Skills & Experience:

• Previous managment role within succesful food manufacturing team or 2 years senior operator experience (proven track record of success)
• Professional food manufacturing qualification or management qualification is desirable
• Technical competencies (Level 3 Food Safety, COSHH, IOSH, HACCP)
• Business aware with ability to drive improvement through effective team work
• Ability to understand and prioritise multiple projects / tasks effectively
• Using initiative and drive program of improvements
• Flexibile approach with ability to work collaboratively across functions to deliver tasks and meet tight deadline

Our role in supporting diversity and inclusion
As an international workforce business, we are committed to sourcing personnel that reflects the diversity and values of our client base but also that of Orion Group. We welcome the wide range of experiences and viewpoints that potential workers bring to our business and our clients, including those based on nationality, gender, culture, educational and professional backgrounds, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, and age differences, job classification and religion. In our inclusive workplace, regardless of your employment status as staff or contract, everyone is assured the right of equitable, fair and respectful treatment.