A Day in the Life of a Despatch Production Manager at Kettleby

A day in the life of a Despatch Production Manager starts with one priority above all else: safety. Ensure all despatch staff work safely and follow site and company safety procedures. Despatch is a fast-moving environment, and it’s my responsibility to ensure everyone works safely while maintaining the highest standards. Lead by example in maintaining a clean, safe working environment.  Promote a strong safety culture—challenge unsafe behaviours and reinforce good practice. Motivate, and support the despatch team, including Team Leaders and Operatives. Provide coaching, training, and development opportunities to help staff progress. Carry out performance reviews, handle absence, and support well-being within the team. Build a positive workplace culture where staff feel valued and engaged. Oversee all despatch operations to ensure products are picked, packed, loaded, and dispatched on time. Ensure all processes run efficiently, plan and allocate labour to meet production and despatch demands. Ensure all products leaving Kettleby meet the highest quality and food safety standards. Work closely with other departments and Production teams to maintain compliance with customer and audit specifications.   Attend daily meetings to report on performance, issues, and improvements. Lead improvement initiatives to optimise despatch performance and efficiency. Analyse data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for optimisation. Implement new systems, processes, and ways of working that enhance accuracy, safety, and team development.

I work closely with Area managers, Team Leaders to keep everything running smoothly. Despatch never stands still—every day brings new challenges, tight deadlines, and opportunities to improve.

A huge part of my day involves supporting the team to grow and develop. I spend time coaching and guiding team leaders, finding opportunities for people to step up and learn new skills. Helping others progress is one of the most rewarding parts of the job.

At the end of the day, the goal is simple: make Kettleby’s despatch department the best possible place to work—safe, supportive, and always improving.

How Did You End Up in This Job?

I started my journey as a Production operative at Walkers Deli. From there, I continued to learn, develop, and take every opportunity offered to me. I worked my way up through roles including RTL, Team Leader and eventually Supervisor—before moving into the Production Manager role.

Samworth Brothers is a place that invests in people who invest in themselves. If you’re willing to learn, work hard, and push yourself, the progression is there.

What Advice Would You Give Someone Thinking of Pursuing This Career?

Work hard, keep learning, and don’t be afraid to step forward. Research the company, ask questions, and approach Samworth Brothers—there are plenty of paths to grow if you have the desire to progress.

What’s the Best Thing About Your Job?

The best part of my job is working with my team. Every day brings new challenges, and no two days are the same—but the people at Kettleby make it worthwhile. Their dedication, teamwork, and energy make even the busiest days enjoyable.

How Long Have You Been Doing Your Job?

I’ve been part of Samworth Brothers for 10 years—nine and half years at Walkers Deli—before stepping into my role at Kettleby.

Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?

In five years, I see myself progressing further and stepping into a Operation Manager role within Samworth Brothers.

Did You Buy Something Special with Your First Pay Cheque?

Yes—one of the first things I spent money on was paying a deposit to rent a house so I could bring my son over from Poland.