Senior Production Manager - Fresh Produce & Prepared Salads

Senior Production Manager - Fresh Produce & Prepared Salads

Location: Killinchy, Co. Down

Salary: Competitive

Contract: Full-time, Permanent

Are you an experienced operations leader with a passion for fresh, high-quality food? Do you thrive in fast-paced environments where precision and efficiency are key? Join our client as Senior Production Manager and take charge of daily production for fresh-cut produce, salad bags, bowls, and wet salads.

About the Role

You'll oversee all aspects of chilled, high-care operations-ensuring strict food safety compliance, cold chain integrity, and on-time delivery of products with very short shelf life. From managing production lines to driving continuous improvement, this role is critical to maintaining quality and meeting customer expectations.

What You'll Do

• Lead daily operations for washing, chopping, mixing, and packing fresh salads.
• Maintain strict temperature controls and cold chain compliance.
• Manage KPIs: yield, throughput, downtime, and OEE.
• Ensure HACCP, GMP, BRCGS, and retailer standards are met.
• Oversee hygiene schedules and allergen management in high-care zones.
• Drive continuous improvement through Lean, Six Sigma, or Kaizen initiatives.
• Lead and develop a skilled workforce across multiple chilled departments.

What our Client is Looking For

• 5+ years' experience managing operations in fresh produce or chilled food manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of fresh-cut processing, MAP packaging, and shelf-life control.
• Proven leadership and problem-solving skills.
• Comfortable working in chilled environments (0-5°C).
• Familiarity with ERP systems and production scheduling.

Why Join Our Client?

• Be part of a market-leading fresh food manufacturer.
• Enjoy a hands-on leadership role with real impact.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunities for growth in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Ready to Lead?

If you're an operations expert with a passion for fresh food and efficiency, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today and help our client deliver quality at speed.

Blue Arrow is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to helping find great work opportunities for great people.