Manufacturing Manager

The Opportunity:

The Manufacturing Manager is responsible for leading and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Lough Egish site, ensuring the highest standards of operational performance, quality, safety, customer service and cost control are consistently achieved. The role provides leadership across all operational functions, driving a culture of excellence, accountability and continuous improvement while ensuring compliance with all relevant regulatory, customer and company standards.
Working closely with Bailieboro and Lough Egish operations teams, the Manufacturing Manager will identify and deliver opportunities to improve efficiency, productivity and overall business performance, while maintaining a strong focus on people development, operational resilience and sustainable growth.

What does success look like?

• Lead the safe, efficient and compliant operation of the Lough Egish site, ensuring performance is delivered in line with customer requirements, business objectives, regulatory obligations and company standards.
• Provide leadership and direction across all site functions, including Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Health & Safety and Environmental performance, to achieve operational excellence.
• Drive a culture of accountability, engagement and continuous improvement, fostering high levels of performance, teamwork and employee development across the site.
• Analyse operational performance, identify opportunities for improvement and implement actions to enhance productivity, efficiency, yield, cost performance and customer service.
• Develop and deliver site operational plans in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring alignment with Group priorities and customer demand.
• Lead, coach and develop direct reports and wider site teams, building organisational capability, succession plans and a high-performance culture.
  
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives and operational excellence programmes to improve site performance and support long-term business growth.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with customers, suppliers, regulatory bodies and internal stakeholders to support business objectives.
  
• Take overall responsibility for compliance with food safety, quality, environmental and health & safety standards, ensuring the site remains inspection and audit ready at all times.
• Support the identification, evaluation and delivery of capital investment, business improvement and strategic projects, ensuring successful implementation and benefit realisation.
• Manage site performance against agreed budgets and financial targets, ensuring cost-conscious decision-making and effective resource utilisation.
• Partner with HR to support workforce planning, talent development, succession planning, employee relations and organisational effectiveness.
• Deputise for the Head of Site Operations, providing leadership and decision-making support as required.
  
• Act as a role model for Lakeland Dairies' values, behaviours and leadership expectations, promoting a culture of ownership, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Take responsibility for personal development and maintain compliance with all Company, Health & Safety, Food Safety and Data Protection requirements.
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the level and responsibility of the role.

What you will need to succeed:

• Proven operational leadership experience within a manufacturing or food production environment.
• Experience managing cross-functional teams and delivering performance through others.
• Strong understanding of Health & Safety, Food Safety, Quality and Regulatory compliance requirements.
• Experience driving continuous improvement, cost control and operational performance initiatives.
• Strong analytical, planning and organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver business objectives.

Why join Lakeland Dairies

At Lakeland Dairies, we offer more than just a job. We provide meaningful careers built on a proud cooperative heritage, strong community connections, and a commitment to continuous growth. When you join Lakeland Dairies, you become part of a values-driven organisation where collaboration, integrity, and ambition underpin everything we do.

As a global dairy business with deep local roots, we are committed to helping our people reach their full potential. Whether you're developing new skills, growing your career, or contributing to the delivery of high-quality dairy products to customers around the world, you'll have the opportunity to make a real and lasting impact.

We are committed to equality and believe in building a diverse organisation that is representative of and responsive to the needs of our customers and stakeholders.

A NOTE FOR RECRUITMENT AGENCIES:

We prefer to hire people directly, but we do have a preferred supplier list for when we need a helping hand. We'll be in touch directly if we need you!

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