Primary Production Manager | Aberdeen

Primary Production Manager — Meat Processing & FMCG Manufacturing, Aberdeen | Meatex Jobs

Kepak Group is recruiting a Primary Production Manager to join its Meat Division UK operation in Aberdeen, Scotland. This senior, on-site role is advertised via the Meatex Jobs Board.

Kepak is a leading food company operating across Ireland and the UK, supplying fresh and value-added meat products to retail and foodservice customers through both private label and well-known brands including Rustlers, Big Al’s and John Stone. The UK Meat Division spans three manufacturing sites with over 2,000 employees and plays a critical role in Kepak’s wider group strategy.

This role offers a senior leadership opportunity within primary processing, with full accountability for abattoir and boning hall operations, people performance, food safety and production delivery.

Location

Aberdeen, Scotland
On-site role
Permanent, full-time

Role purpose

As Primary Production Manager, you will lead primary processing operations, ensuring safe, efficient and compliant production aligned to customer, business and regulatory requirements.

You will have full accountability for abattoir and boning hall performance, including people leadership, production planning, food safety, quality compliance, cost control and continuous improvement. Working closely with cross-functional teams, you will drive performance while embedding a strong safety-first and people-focused culture.

Key responsibilities

• Lead primary production teams to deliver production targets while maintaining food safety, quality and cost controls

• Promote and embed a safety-first culture with full compliance to health & safety standards

• Provide leadership and accountability across abattoir and boning hall operations (people, process and product)

• Ensure consistent product quality and adherence to customer specifications

• Develop and deliver boning hall plans aligned to central planning and service level requirements

• Manage labour planning and production costs in line with forecasts and budgets

• Coach, mentor and develop teams to support training, engagement and retention

• Lead cross-functional collaboration with HR, H&S, Engineering, Food Safety, NPD, Supply Chain and IT

• Participate in management routines including pulse meetings, gemba walks and KPI reviews

• Support employee relations in partnership with site HR

• Ensure SOP compliance, training completion and regulatory adherence

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across safety, quality, yield and efficiency

Role deliverables

• Full compliance with food safety, quality and industry standards

• Delivery of production targets, yields and plan attainment

• On Time, In Full (OTIF) dispatch performance

• Effective cost and resource management

• Health & Safety compliance and reporting

• Continuous improvement project delivery

• Accurate reporting of KPIs, production metrics and compliance status

What we’re looking for

• Proven leadership experience within meat processing or FMCG food manufacturing

• Strong operational knowledge of abattoir and boning hall environments

• Demonstrated ability to lead large production teams

• Strong understanding of food safety, quality and regulatory standards

• Commercial awareness with experience managing labour and production costs

• Confident communicator able to engage across all levels of the business

• Experience working cross-functionally in a complex manufacturing environment

• Continuous improvement mindset with strong problem-solving capability

Salary & benefits

• Competitive salary (dependent on experience)

• 31 days annual leave per year (after probation)

• 25% discount in Kepak butcher shops

• Employee discount platform (WrkIt)

• Refer a Friend Scheme (up to £500)

• Free on-site parking

• Subsidised canteen

• Bike to Work scheme

• Long service awards

• Ongoing training and development with clear progression pathways

• GroceryAid Employee Assistance Programme

How to apply

Apply via this page on the Meatex Jobs Board. Suitable candidates will be introduced directly to Kepak Group.

Important information

Employer: Kepak Group
Meatex is not the employer and acts as a jobs board and introductions platform only.