Factory Production Manager

About the role

Nestlé Zora, a key confectionery manufacturing site in the Czech Republic, is looking for a Production Manager to join its leadership team in Olomouc. Reporting directly to the Factory Manager, you will take end-to-end responsibility for the Production department, leading an organization of about 200 people and playing a key role in the Factory Management Team. You will ensure the safety of people, the quality of products and on-time delivery of production plans at expected cost.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the overall performance of Production, delivering People, Safety, Quality, Service and Cost objectives.
• Build a strong Safety and Quality culture, ensuring compliance with health, food safety, regulatory and GMP requirements.
• Drive Manufacturing Excellence and continuous improvement through TPM, LEAN and other methodologies, improving productivity, reliability, labour efficiency and cost competitiveness.
• Lead the department's Operational Masterplan and key improvement initiatives, using operational reviews, standard routines and structured problem solving.
• Ensure successful introduction of new and renovated products and equipment with strong operational readiness.
• Stay on the shop floor, coaching leaders and teams and strengthening operational standards and routines.
• Develop and empower Production Team and Line Leaders, and drive people and talent development, including performance management, coaching, career development and succession planning.
• Work closely with the Factory Management Team and cross-functional partners to align priorities and deliver factory objectives.

Required profile

• 4+ years of relevant operational or manufacturing experience, ideally including a Production Team Leader, Production Line Leader or comparable leadership role.
• Proven experience leading, engaging and developing teams in a manufacturing or technical environment.
• Experience leading cross-functional projects and organizational or operational change.
• Fluent written and spoken English.

Required skills

• Understanding of manufacturing operations, production planning and operational performance.
• Experience with continuous improvement methodologies such as TPM and LEAN.
• Good digital literacy and openness to using data, automation, AI and modern technologies.