Lead Order and Production Manager

Job Advert

Location: Ferndown

Pay:£40,000 - £55,000 DOE

Purpose of Role

To ensure every live customer order across all categories is delivered on time, in full, and on specification — maintaining total visibility of order flow, CPA accuracy, and production readiness from confirmation through to dispatch.

The Lead Order & Production Manager is the guardian of operational execution, linking the Commercial, Creative, Procurement, and Logistics teams to ensure promises made to customers are delivered flawlessly.

This role directly enables A2V's vision of "Growth through Supported Accountability" by embedding accuracy, consistency, and pace across live order delivery and production planning.

Mission

To deliver all live customer orders on time, in full, and on specification by driving operational clarity, cross-team alignment, and proactive problem-solving — ensuring A2V delivers world-class execution at scale.

Accountabilities (A)

What you own — where you hold final authority, outcome responsibility, and are answerable for delivery.

• 100% accountability for live order delivery — On Time, In Full, On Spec (OTIF).
• Ownership of the Live Order Tracker — ensuring accuracy, visibility, and actionable updates daily.
• Ensuring CPA discipline and accuracy across all projects and customers.
• Driving cross-functional collaboration between Commercial, Compliance, Logistics, and Procurement.
• Leading the Order Management team to maintain accurate, up-to-date order documentation and communication.
• Managing order risk register and escalation framework — proactively resolving timing, approval, or supplier issues.
• Reporting weekly performance dashboards and risk summaries to the Ops and Commercial Directors.
• Driving consistency and improvement in process — ensuring order-to-production flow is standardised and efficient.

Responsibilities (R)

What you do — the key actions and deliverables that bring your accountabilities to life.

• Manage daily order status meetings, ensuring cross-team clarity and quick escalation of blockers.
• Validate all customer orders against CPA milestones, ensuring every dependency is tracked.
• Coordinate across Product, Procurement, and Compliance to align readiness and approvals.
• Work closely with HK and supplier partners to monitor production progress and mitigate slippage.
• Partner with Logistics to ensure smooth dispatch and on-time delivery to customer DCs.
• Track reworks, amendments, or late approvals and report root causes for continuous improvement.
• Maintain documentation integrity (artwork, spec, test reports, shipment documents).
• Ensure version control across all live projects and accurate internal communication of order status.
• Train and coach Project Managers and Junior Order Coordinators on process discipline and system use.
• Support Operations Director with weekly operational summaries and KPI tracking (OTIF, rework %, late delivery, margin leakage).

Key Interfaces

Function Purpose of Collaboration

Commercial Confirm order details, customer timelines, and change requests

Creative Ensure artwork and packaging assets are approved and released on time

Product Verify product specifications, samples, and production readiness

Procurement Align supplier lead times, capacity, and production updates

Compliance Confirm testing and certification completion before shipment

Logistics Coordinate dispatch readiness, freight bookings, and delivery tracking

Finance Align invoicing triggers, margin tracking, and financial forecasting

Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in production planning, order management, or supply chain coordination (preferably in retail, FMCG, or sourcing).
• Strong understanding of critical path management and supplier timelines.
• Skilled in process control, workflow systems (e.g., , ERP, or similar), and data accuracy.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills — across teams, regions, and time zones.
• High attention to detail, accuracy, and process compliance.
• Commercially aware — understands the financial implications of operational delays or reworks.
• Experience leading small teams and driving accountability through clarity, not hierarchy.

Cultural Fit

You'll thrive at A2V if you:

• Love structure, precision, and accountability.
• Think two steps ahead — anticipating risk before it escalates.
• Are energised by solving operational problems and bringing clarity to complexity.
• Believe excellence is in the detail and the delivery.
• Enjoy working cross-functionally to deliver outcomes that others rely on.

Company Values

E D G E – Elevate. Deliver. Grit. Excellence. These values shape how we operate, decide, and lead every day — in every customer, supplier, and internal interaction.