Production Manager

Company Description Mallows Bottling & Beverages is a leading contract bottler specialising in alcohol and soft drinks for brands of all sizes. Based in South Wales, the company provides end-to-end blending, bottling, and packaging solutions from a BRC A*-accredited facility. With multiple high-speed production lines and deep expertise in spirits, ready-to-drink beverages (RTDs), and mixers, Mallows delivers high-quality and scalable production services. The team works closely with clients to bring products to market efficiently while maintaining strict quality and safety standards.

Role Description The Production Manager is a full-time, on-site role based in the Greater Cardiff Area. This role oversees daily operations across multiple high-speed production lines, ensuring that blending, bottling, and packaging processes run safely, efficiently, and in line with quality standards. Responsibilities include planning and scheduling production, allocating resources, and monitoring output to meet customer deadlines and cost targets. The Production Manager leads and develops production teams, coaches supervisors and line operators, and promotes continuous improvement in productivity, waste reduction, and equipment reliability. The role also involves collaborating with quality, maintenance, supply chain, and commercial teams, maintaining compliance with BRC and health and safety requirements, and reporting on performance metrics to senior leadership.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in production management or operations leadership within food, beverage, or FMCG manufacturing.
• Strong skills in production planning, scheduling, and resource allocation, with the ability to manage multiple lines and changing priorities.
• Knowledge of quality systems, BRC or equivalent standards, and health and safety regulations in a manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency in using production management tools and software (e.g., ERP/MRP systems, spreadsheets, dashboards) to track performance and drive decisions.
• Proven people-management skills, including team leadership, coaching, performance management, and fostering a positive, inclusive work environment.
• Experience with continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, 5S, Kaizen) and problem-solving for process, equipment, and workflow issues.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across production, quality, maintenance, and commercial teams.
• Relevant technical or engineering qualification, or equivalent vocational experience in manufacturing operations; degree in engineering, operations management, or related field is beneficial.
• Experience in beverage production, particularly spirits, RTDs, or mixers, and familiarity with high-speed bottling and packaging equipment is an advantage.