At Britvic Ireland - Part of the Carlsberg Group, we're all about creating and sharing amazing soft drinks. Our iconic brands like Ballygowan, Club Orange, Miwadi, Energise, TK, and Cidona have been loved for generations. We also partner with PepsiCo to bring you favourites like Pepsi, 7UP, and Lipton.

We're always innovating and evolving, staying true to our vision of being the most dynamic soft drinks company, creating a better tomorrow. With over 240 years of history, our brands are rooted in authenticity and heritage. Our success is driven by the passion of our people, and we foster an environment where everyone can thrive and grow and truly be themselves. As we embark on this exciting new chapter under the Carlsberg Group, our purpose remains clear: striving for perfection, focusing on research and innovation, listening to our consumers, and driving sustainability to make a positive impact on society.

Job Overview

The Head of Production will report directly to the Supply Chain Director – IOI and have three direct reports as outlined below. They will own and be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Kylemore site and the successful implementation of our Carlsberg Excellence Framework and operating standards (internally known as Carlex and COM standards) as they relate to manufacturing. This is a hands-on leadership role (up to 50% plant based) focused on driving operational excellence, maximizing production output, and embedding Lean Manufacturing methodologies with an ambition to achieve world class standards. This role will own and drive the cultural change agenda, embedding a high-performance mindset that delivers accountability & continuous improvement. This role is a member of the Supply Chain Leadership team.

Key Responsibilities

Oversee all aspects of factory operations including production, processing, and maintenance.
Ensure daily production targets are met or exceeded while maintaining safety, quality, and efficiency standards.
Champion Carlex standards and Lean principles (5S, Kaizen, SMED, TPM, etc.) to eliminate waste and improve productivity.
Actively lead continuous improvement initiatives and foster a culture of problem-solving and accountability.
Lead, coach, and develop a team of employees, ensuring high levels of engagement and performance.
Manage staffing levels, training, and succession planning to support operational needs.
Lead the implementation of capital and operational projects (e.g. new line installations, automation upgrades, and lean initiatives)
Communicate project status, risks, and outcomes to senior leadership and relevant stakeholders. Facilitate cross functional collaboration across the supply chain.
Identify potential risks and develop mitigation plans. Manage scope changes and ensure proper documentation and approval processes.
Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) including OEE, CPC, utilities, and waste ratios.
Drive corrective actions and root cause analysis for performance gaps.
Ensure compliance with all health, safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements.
Promote a safety-first culture and lead incident investigations and corrective actions.
Manage operational budgets, control costs, and identify opportunities for savings.
Collaborate with finance and supply planning to optimize resource utilisation.
Champion a high-performance culture by shaping behaviours, mindsets and ways of working that enable teams to consistently deliver at pace and scale.
Inspire and motivate teams.
Work cross-functionally with departments like Quality, Health and Safety, and Project Engineering

Requirements

5+ years’ experience in Production/Supply Chain operations.
Minimum 3 years in a management role.
Proven experience implementing Operational Excellence programs (Lean, TPM, Six Sigma).
FMCG or high-volume automated environment experience.

Strong Lean and Six Sigma capability (Green Belt minimum; Black Belt advantageous).
Kaizen workshops,5S implementation, DMAIC / 5 Whys / Fishbone problem solving.
Process mapping and waste elimination.
Strong analytical skills (Excel, ERP/MES systems, Power BI).
Project management capability.
Sound knowledge of site operational procedures; legislative knowledge desirable.

Key Behaviours

Continuous improvement credentials such as Lean, Six Sigma (Green belt / Black belt).
Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing (Carlsberg Carlex) and COM standards and principles.
Demonstrates a strong commitment to continued personal and professional development, staying current with best practice in manufacturing leadership, operational excellence and people development.

Education/Qualifications

Ideally a bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Business, Engineering, or equivalent proven + 10 years Manufacturing experience.

Head of Production

Job Description