1. One of the UK's leading independent food manufacturers
2. Fast-paced, collaborative culture focused on operational excellence
About Our Client
In a marketplace increasingly dominated by large branded businesses, our client offers something different by focusing on own-label products. This approach enables customers to create a genuine point of difference. Over the years, it has built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality products with excellent service levels throughout the United Kingdom
Job Description
People
3. Lead, develop and motivate teams to create high-performing, autonomous and accountable workgroups
4. Foster a culture of continuous improvement, excellence, respect, and safety
5. Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and labour relations
6. Deal promptly with performance, conduct or capability issues; coach and develop individuals
7. Ensure a clean, safe, and legally compliant site environment
Plant
8. Deploy necessary tools and systems to improve asset reliability and site productivity
9. Ensure the various equipment and facilities on site are efficiently operated and cleaned by competent staff who understand and participate in asset care
10. Use appropriate CI tools like the OEE to conduct loss analysis and implement ensuing improvement actions sustainably
11. Engage with Production, Hygiene and Engineering teams to ensure appropriate maintenance regimes are in place and actioned to support the continuous running of factory equipment
12. Introduce and maintain best-practice standards in manufacturing processes; stay current with technical and commercial changes in the industry
Product
13. Work with others to manage and improve the manufacturing of products through extensive knowledge of ingredients, recipes, processes and equipment
14. Work closely with the Technical / Quality teams to uphold regulatory compliance in quality and food safety standards
15. Support new product development by collaborating with Consumer Insight, R&D, and Engineering to assess capability and scale-up
Process
16. Manage and develop the manufacture of product through extensive knowledge of products, processes and machines, keeping abreast of commercial and technical changes within the industry
17. Benchmark site manufacturing processes with best practices in the industry and lead the site in achieving improvements in site operations
18. Identify and reduce process variation and waste, and drive continuous cost-improvement projects
Profitability
19. Manage and control site budget, direct and indirect costs (labour, materials, utilities)
20. Ensure accurate cost tracking, reporting and cost-saving opportunities
21. Deliver P&L objectives for the site; drive initiatives that improve margin, reduce waste, improve productivity
Stakeholders and Cross-functional Working
22. Work closely with senior leaders to align site strategy with corporate goals
23. Engage with internal departments such as Supply Chain, Technical, Quality, HR, Finance, and Sales to ensure smooth operation and continuous improvement
24. Keep abreast of market, regulatory, technological and industry trends to inform strategy and innovation
The Successful Applicant
Qualifications & Experience
25. Proven leadership experience in a manufacturing or production environment, ideally within the food industry
26. Strong track record of managing teams and driving performance improvements
27. Experience in asset care, continuous improvement (CI), and lean manufacturing methodologies
28. Demonstrated ability to manage budgets and deliver against P&L objectives
29. Familiarity with regulatory compliance, particularly in food safety and quality standards
30. Experience working cross-functionally with departments such as Engineering, Technical, Quality, HR, and Supply Chain
Knowledge & Skills
31. In-depth understanding of manufacturing processes, equipment, and product development
32. Strong knowledge of CI tools such as OEE, root cause analysis, and loss analysis
33. Ability to identify and implement cost-saving and waste-reduction initiatives
34. Skilled in coaching, mentoring, and performance management
35. Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
36. Competent in using data to inform decisions and drive operational improvements
Personal Attributes
37. A proactive and hands-on leader who fosters a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement
38. Resilient and adaptable, with the ability to lead change and manage complexity
39. Commercially astute with a focus on profitability and operational efficiency
40. Collaborative and inclusive, with a strong team ethic and respect for others
41. Committed to maintaining high standards of cleanliness, safety, and compliance
What's on Offer
42. Competitive salary depending on experience
43. Relocation subsidy offered if needed
44. Car allowance
45. Generous pension scheme
46. Opportunities for professional development and career progression
47. A supportive work environment focused on operational excellence
48. Generous holiday leave and other company benefits