Job Description

Location : Cookstown
Job Ref: UDF/2025/429
Employment : Full-Time Permanent
Closing Date : 02 May 2025 05:00 pm

Dale Farm Cooperative is a UK dairy farmer co-operative owned by over 1200 dairy farmers who supply us with fresh milk. Dale Farm has operations throughout the UK and Ireland producing and distributing a wide range of dairy products which it sells across the UK and Ireland as well as exporting to over 45 countries worldwide.


At Dale Farm virtually every career discipline is represented in our workforce, from production, engineering and distribution, to sales & marketing and food technology/quality assurance, to Finance, HR and IT through to general management. Our standards are high and when we recruit we are looking for those with energy and drive, who are keen for responsibility and motivated to succeed with a record of achievement and with the potential to develop as the company grows.

Culture

Our culture is based on setting best in class standards, working to-wards and delivering on committed objectives, striving for constant improvement and involving everyone in the company. We strive to develop our people and harness everyone's contribution to deliver a winning team.

Equal Opportunities

The company is an Equal Opportunities employer and is committed to a safe, inclusive and relationship based workspace.

Benefits

In return, we offer a high degree of responsibility, plenty of challenge, good opportunities for learning and personal development and rewarding benefit packages, all within a fast moving and results oriented environment.

Retail Production Manager

Reporting into the Operations Manager, you will have proven success in managing a food production facility for maximum efficiency and productivity. The ideal candidate will be highly skilled in change and people management, budgetary and fiscal management, an initiative-taker who can develop our culture of health and safety, quality, technical standards and diversity within the production team. The successful candidate will be a strong leader with demonstratable experience of building and developing production teams to meet company goals and objectives.

The Role:

Oversee and deliver excellent day to day operations performance within the Retail Cheese Department across all indicators: people, safety, quality, service, efficiency and cost and development of remedial actions where performance is falling short. Manage all expenditure under your control, delivering cost saving initiatives and prioritising spend to operate within budget that can be referenced back to the P&L performance without compromising quality. Proactively lead and motivate the teams to ensure that the production schedules, quality performance and specifications exceed customer expectations both internally and externally. Monitor Key Performance Indicators, including production output, waste reduction, and downtime, and collaborate with teams to optimise processes. Develop a high performing, collaborative and empowered team, influencing and engaging at all levels within the Retail Function, including the development of high potential talent with a positive proactive and change orientated mindset. Working with the Retail Department team to develop operational strategic plans aligned to the overall site strategy and goals. Accountable for driving continuous improvement using lean manufacturing techniques with particular emphasis of lean tools such as Problem-Solving, Root Cause Analysis and Standard Work. Ensure compliance with food safety and health & safety requirements.

Essential Criteria:

Minimum 5 years proven success in production management role. Working knowledge of the principles of GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice), HACCP, and similar food safety standards e.g. BRC Proven evidence of leadership and team-building skills. Proven problem-solving abilities and attention to detail, with a tenacity to get to the root cause of operational issues. Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills. Experience in financial budgetary processes. Proficient in using Microsoft Office packages with competency particularly with Excel and Powerpoint. Experience in Lean manufacturing.

Desirable Criteria

Proven experience as a Production Manager in the Food Industry especially in a Retail packing facility, producing customer ready products Degree or equivalent in a Food Related qualification




Learn more about the company and to apply online dalefarm.co.uk/careers





Completed application forms must be received online before

5:00pm on Friday 2nd May 2025

Only applications from EU Nationals or those with a valid permit to work in the UK will be accepted.



We are an equal opportunities employer


No unsolicited CVs from Agencies





AMBITION | CURIOSITY | TEAMWORK | POSITIVITY | RESOLVE | ACCOUNTABILITY