Job title: Factory Manager
Job type: Permanent
Emp type: Full-time
Industry: Manufacturing & Engineering
Functional Expertise: Background CI / Continuous Improvement Leadership
Salary type: Annual
Salary: GBP £55,000.00
Location: Nelson, UK
Job published: 05-02-2026
Job ID: 66015
Contact name: Kyle Davies
Phone number: +441612505326
Contact email: kyle@optima-cs.com

Job Description

Factory Manager | Nelson | £50,000 to £55,000

Want more influence over how things run, and to see your ideas actually implemented?

This role could be your opportunity to lead a close-knit factory team that designs and builds bespoke bakery machinery used across the world. The work is varied, the business is growing, and because it's employee-owned, everyone has a real voice and a share in the profits.

If you've got solid production leadership experience in a manufacturing setting and you still enjoy being hands-on when needed, this could be a great fit.

Here’s what you’ll be doing:

  • Running day-to-day factory operations: fabrication, assembly, testing and delivery

  • Leading a skilled team of engineers, fitters and fabricators

  • Making sure projects are delivered on time, on spec and safely

  • Reviewing designs and offering input on how to make things easier to build

  • Managing supplier relationships and keeping production flowing

  • Driving quality, efficiency and safety standards across the board

What’s in it for you:

  • £50,000 to £55,000 salary depending on experience

  • Employee Ownership Trust profit share (not guaranteed but paid out at around £3k for the last 3 years)

  • Health cover, health cash plan and workplace pension

  • A real say in how things are run and a cut of the rewards

  • The autonomy to make improvements without having to push through layers of red tape

You’ll need:

  • A background in engineering (HNC, HND or similar)

  • At least 5 years in a production leadership role in a manufacturing environment

  • Confidence managing a team and solving problems on the shop floor

  • The ability to read technical drawings and communicate clearly with design and production teams

  • A practical, sleeves-rolled-up mindset

About the company:

GBS Automation is based in Nelson. They design and manufacture custom bakery machinery for clients in the UK and overseas. The business is employee-owned, meaning everyone here has a meaningful stake in its success and a clear incentive to do great work together.

Interested?

No need for a long-winded CV. Just send a short overview of your experience and we’ll take it from there.

So you're aware, your application will be reviewed directly by the hiring manager.