Job Description

Production Manager – Coffin Factory

£47,000 - £54,000 per annum plus excellent benefits

37.5 hours per week - Monday to Thursday 8am – 4.30pm & Friday 8am – 1.30pm

Knowsley (L34 4AX)

We’re building something special. As we open our brand‑new coffin factory in Knowsley in November 2026, we’re creating a new team, a new inclusive culture, and a new way of working together. This is your chance to help shape it from day one.

As the UK’s leading national funeral provider, everything we do is rooted in care, dignity and community. Our new coffin factory will play a vital role in supporting families across the country and we’re looking for a Production Manager to help us bring it to life.

This isn’t just about running a production line. It’s about shaping a new site, helping colleagues grow and ensuring we deliver products that families trust at some of the most important moments in their lives.

Why this job matters

You’ll lead a dedicated team of c.50 colleagues who take pride in producing around 90,000 high‑quality coffins for Co‑op Funeralcare a year. You’ll be part of something meaningful and by guiding a new team, driving standards and creating a safe, collaborative environment, you’ll help us build a workplace where people feel proud of what they do and truly makes a difference.

What you’ll do

• Lead a new team of around 50 colleagues, including 5 direct reports, coaching and supporting them to develop their skills
• Take full accountability for the production of our UK coffins, ensuring every product meets our high-quality standards
• Drive performance across output, waste and efficiency, and helping the site evolve over time
• Create a safe, well‑run environment where everyone understands and follows their health and safety responsibilities
• Work closely with internal colleagues and external suppliers
• Support the recruitment and onboarding in the lead up to the launch of the new site
• Help shape a culture built on care, collaboration and continuous improvement

What you’ll bring

• Experience within a production or manufacturing industry
• Previous experience managing teams of 30+ indirect and direct reports
• Strong people, leadership and coaching skills
• A commercial mindset and confidence working to targets
• High attention to detail and a passion for quality
• Knowledge and experience working with unions would be beneficial
• Great communication and stakeholder management skills
• A proactive, problem‑solving approach and confidence to make informed decisions
• The ability to work with Microsoft Office packages
• A full UK drivers licence, this would be beneficial

Why Co-op?

At Co-op, we’re owned by our members. And because we’re owned by you, we can do right by you. So when you join us, you’re not just taking a job, you’re joining a movement. We’re an organisation that puts people and communities first, and we’re powered by purpose. We want this to be a place where you can thrive, so you’ll also receive:

• 30% off Co-op branded products in our food stores all year round

• 10% off other brands in our food stores all year round (doubles to 20% on the Friday and Saturday after payday)

• discounts on other Co-op products and services

• 28 days holiday (rising to 32 in line with service)

• a pension with up to 10% employer contributions

• access to our Employee Assistance Programme which offers confidential advice and support on anything you’re struggling with, 24 hours a day

• access to virtual GP and free eye tests

• friendly, supportive team and the knowledge that you will make a huge difference to your community

• access to Stream - a money management app that gives you access to a percentage of your pay as you earn it

A place you'll belong

We’re building diverse and inclusive teams that reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone and are committed to creating a workplace where colleagues can feel like they belong, supported by our inclusive policies and the ways we work.

We’re proud to be part of the Disability Confident scheme and offer interviews to disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria for a job. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, we’ll support you.

Learn more about our recruitment process at Your Co-op Application Journey and our inclusion commitments at Diversity and inclusion at Co-op

We reserve the right to remove a vacancy before the scheduled closing date.

As part of your application, you'll need to complete an online assessment. This assessment typically takes between 45-60 minutes. If you're a current Co-op colleague, this does not need to be completed.