Whey Production Manager

This is a senior management position where you will be responsible for managing all aspects of performance from a state of the art whey ultra filtration facility, including upstream and downstream processing plant operations to produce whey protein and lactose-based nutrition products supplied to global customers in the infant formula, health and food sectors.The RoleLead a multi-skilled team to operate and maintain the whey processing plant safely and efficiently.Manage upstream and downstream processing to improve output, cost and quality.Use strong technical and analytical skills to support high-performing continuous operations.Use process trends to link inputs with outputs and support data-led decisions.Make decisions that balance quality, cost and customer needs.Identify the root cause of quality issues and lead timely corrective action.Identify and implement ways to improve output, yield and plant efficiency.Identify process bottlenecks and work with engineering to remove them.Work closely with external customers to understand and meet their expectations.Clearly communicate operational needs across the business to improve performance.Maintain best-in-class standards for a global customer base.Monitor and meet daily targets for production, quality, efficiency and compliance.Build a culture of continuous improvement in performance, yield and reliability.Lead investment and improvement projects that strengthen manufacturing performance.Set high standards for leadership, communication, team development and accountability.Meet all food safety, quality, health and safety, and operational standards.Essential CriteriaA third-level qualification, ideally in an applied science or food related subject.A minimum of five years’ management experience in food processing or a similar environment.Demonstrate strong technical and analytical skills within a continuous processing or complex environment.Proven experience leading and developing multi-skilled teams in a fast-paced production environment.A record of improving quality, cost, output and operational performance.Excellent communication and management skills, with the ability to work well with internal teams and external customers.Desirable CriteriaExperience in dairy, whey or nutritional ingredients manufacturing.Experience with filtration technology and complex processing plants.Experience leading improvement or capital investment programmes in manufacturing.