Factory Manager - ref. u6445323

Overview:

Factory Manager

Lir Chocolates, Navan, County Meath, Ireland

Are you ready to lead in a fast-paced, innovative chocolate manufacturing environment?

As Factory Manager, you’ll lead daily operations across our production and packing facilities, playing a key role in our journey of growth. This is a pivotal opportunity to shape the future of our site and drive performance across people, safety, quality, and efficiency.

Shift Pattern: Monday - Friday

Responsibilities:

• Directly manage 4 Production Supervisors, Warehouse Manager and Warehouse Supervisor and operational teams varying from 100 operatives to 300 in peak season.
• Oversee all production and packaging activities, ensuring compliance with safety, food quality, and operational standards.
• Lead daily planning and review meetings, addressing tasks across people, products, and processes.
• Drive performance against key metrics including OEE, waste, and labour/material efficiency.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and the CI Coordinator to deliver continuous improvement.
• Develop and support a diverse team through strong leadership, coaching, and clear expectations.

Qualifications:

• Proven experience in a senior manufacturing or operations role within FMCG (preferably food or beverage).
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire, coach, and develop high-performing teams.
• A proactive, solutions-focused mindset with a passion for quality and performance.
• Commercial awareness and ability to interpret site metrics and costings.
• Versatile, organised, and confident in managing multiple priorities.
• IT proficiency, ideally with ERP systems (QAD experience beneficial).
• Degree-level education or equivalent experience.

Rewards Benefits:

• Annual bonus plan up to 10% of salary per year (subject to meeting criteria).
• Begin with 24 days of annual leave, progressively increasing by an extra day each year until you reach 25 days, in addition to public holidays.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Death In Service Benefit.
• Company Pension Plan at 1.5%
• Family friendly policies, such as 12 weeks of paid maternity leave after one year of service.
• Annual engagement calendar, volunteering days and wellbeing events.
• Monthly employee recognition scheme via the ‘Zertus Values Awards’
• Recruitment Refer a Friend rewards.
• Training and Development Opportunities (Leadership courses, External qualifications, Professional memberships).

About Us:

At Lir Chocolates, we craft premium, hand-finished chocolates for some of the world’s most iconic brands, including Baileys, Guinness, and The Famous Grouse. From our two state-of-the-art facilities in Navan, County Meath, we blend traditional recipes with bold innovation to create award-winning chocolates enjoyed by retailers and consumers globally.

Application & Interview Process:

Lir Chocolates are an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

To apply, please submit your CV and complete our short application questions. If shortlisted, you will be contacted by a member of our Talent Team for an initial phone call. Successful candidates will then progress to a two-stage interview process, which will include a site tour.