Factory Manager – Nights

Job Title: Factory Manager (Nights)

Location: Market Drayton (Palethorpes site)

Salary: £65-69k + Bonus

Contract: Full-time, Permanent

Shifts: Initial 8 weeks Monday to Thursday (44 hours/week), then permanent B Shift – 4 on, 4 off (average 38.5 hours/week)

Are you a dynamic and experienced manufacturing leader with a passion for people, performance, and continuous improvement? We’re looking for a results-driven Factory Manager to lead the operations at our Palethorpes site in Market Drayton — part of The Compleat Food Group.

In this high-impact role, you’ll be responsible for leading factory operations to deliver key performance metrics in safety, quality, performance, cost, and people development. You will inspire and develop your team to operate to the highest standards while embedding a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all aspects of factory performance across safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
• Ensure health, safety and environmental (HSE) plans are effectively delivered in line with legislative and company standards.
• Drive quality standards in partnership with the Technical team, ensuring full compliance with food safety and customer requirements.
• Motivate and develop a high-performing manufacturing team through strong leadership, effective communication, and structured succession planning.
• Deliver labour and materials cost control within budget, ensuring optimal resource planning and absence management.
• Support new product development and site capital investment plans.
• Embed lean manufacturing practices and support continuous improvement across all areas of operation.
• Lead and participate in cross-functional projects to improve site performance and futureproof operations.
  
  

What We’re Looking For

• Strong track record in a senior manufacturing or factory leadership role, ideally within food or FMCG.
• Graduate calibre or equivalent experience.
• Proven experience of managing teams to achieve high performance through coaching, engagement, and accountability.
• Solid understanding of HSE, food safety, and quality systems.
• Confident decision-maker with excellent organisational, communication, and influencing skills.
• Strong working knowledge of lean manufacturing and CI tools.
• Commercial and strategic thinking with the ability to turn plans into actions and measurable results.
  
  

Working Pattern

• Initial 8 weeks: Monday to Thursday, 44 hours per week with a 1-hour unpaid break each day.
• Permanent shift thereafter: B Shift – 4 on, 4 off rotation, averaging 38.5 hours per week.
  
  

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• The opportunity to lead at a flagship site within a growing £1.1bn food manufacturing group
• Autonomy to drive change and influence the direction of the factory
• Career progression and development within a supportive, fast-paced environment
  
  

Ready to make an impact in a leadership role that truly matters?

Apply now and join The Compleat Food Group in shaping the future of great-tasting food.

Apply now