Our client, a fast-growing and innovative food manufacturing business, is seeking an experienced and commercially focused Manufacturing & Logistics Operations Manager to lead end-to-end site operations. This is a senior leadership role with full accountability for manufacturing, logistics, food safety compliance, health & safety, planning, maintenance, and continuous improvement across the operation.
This position offers an exciting opportunity to shape operational excellence within a dynamic and scaling environment.
Job Role
Reporting to the senior leadership team, the Manufacturing & Logistics Operations Manager will take full ownership of production and logistics performance, ensuring safe, compliant, efficient, and cost-effective operations.
You will lead site compliance (SALSA & BRC), production planning, labour management, maintenance strategy, and supply chain coordination, embedding structure, accountability, and a culture of continuous improvement across the business.
Responsibilities
1. Act as site lead for SALSA & BRC certification, audits, corrective actions, and ongoing compliance.
2. Ensure HACCP systems, allergen controls, traceability, and recall readiness are robust and maintained.
3. Promote and embed a strong food safety and quality culture across the site.
4. Ensure full compliance with health & safety legislation and internal policies.
5. Conduct risk assessments, accident investigations, and implement corrective actions.
6. Develop and manage short- and medium-term production plans aligned to demand forecasts.
7. Balance labour, capacity, and materials to optimise output and efficiency.
8. Monitor daily production performance and resolve operational bottlenecks.
9. Coordinate inbound materials and outbound finished goods to maintain OTIF performance.
10. Manage supplier performance, warehousing standards, stock accuracy, and FIFO compliance.
11. Lead labour planning including recruitment, onboarding, training, performance management, and rota planning.
12. Oversee preventative and reactive maintenance programmes to maximise equipment reliability and uptime.
13. Manage maintenance contractors and support capital expenditure planning.
14. Monitor and improve KPIs including yield, waste, labour efficiency, downtime, and cost per unit.
15. Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance productivity and margin.
16. Develop SOPs and embed operational discipline across manufacturing and logistics teams.
17. Provide strong, visible leadership and foster a culture of accountability and ownership.
Personal Profile
18. Proven experience in food manufacturing operations leadership.
19. Strong working knowledge of SALSA, BRC, or equivalent food safety standards.
20. Demonstrated people leadership and team development capability.
21. Experience in production planning, supply chain coordination, and cost control.
22. Strong understanding of health & safety legislation and compliance.
23. Hands-on, structured, and solutions-focused approach.
24. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
25. Commercially aware with experience managing operational budgets.
26. Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders.
27. Continuous improvement mindset with a track record of driving measurable results.
Ref Code: W013239