Operations Manager
Are you an experienced manager with a track record of leading teams and delivering results in a manufacturing environment? If you're looking for an opportunity to take ownership of site operations and help drive performance, we'd like to hear from you!
About Hughes Group
With over 65 years of experience, Hughes Group is a trusted name in fresh mushrooms and innovative plant-based products across the UK. We work in close partnership with leading retailers and food service providers and are known for our quality, reliability, and customer-first approach.
While we’re proud of our heritage, our focus is firmly on the future. As a growing FMCG business, we’re investing in innovation, sustainability, and—most importantly—our people.
The Role
As Operations Manager, you will lead Production, Maintenance, and Stores operations, ensuring the safe, efficient, and cost-effective delivery of business objectives.
You will drive operational performance by achieving production targets, maintaining equipment reliability, and ensuring effective inventory management. Working closely with teams across the business, you will identify opportunities to improve productivity, reduce waste, and enhance efficiency.
You will provide strong leadership, promoting a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and high performance while ensuring compliance with health and safety standards and supporting the company's growth objectives.
⏰ Hours: Monday – Friday / 0800 – 1700 / 40 hours
- As this is an operational leadership role, flexibility is required to support business needs.
💰 Salary: Highly Competitive
- Dependant on experience, to be discussed at interview stage
🌴 Benefits: Enhanced Benefits Package
- Including enhanced annual leave, company sick pay and private medical insurance
📊 Reports to: Commercial Director
📍 Location: Dungannon
Key Responsibilities
* Lead and manage Production, Maintenance, and Stores operations to ensure the safe and efficient delivery of business objectives.
* Drive operational performance, ensuring production targets, quality standards, and customer requirements are consistently achieved.
* Oversee maintenance activities to maximise equipment reliability, minimise downtime, and improve operational efficiency.
* Manage inventory and stores functions, ensuring stock accuracy, material availability, and effective inventory control.
* Promote a strong Health & Safety culture and ensure compliance with all relevant legislation and company standards.
* Lead, coach, and develop operational teams, fostering a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement.
* Identify and implement process improvements, Lean initiatives, and cost-saving opportunities across the site.
* Monitor and report on operational KPIs, budgets, and performance metrics to support business growth and profitability.
* Lead operational planning and resource allocation to optimise capacity, staffing levels, and site performance.
* Work closely with senior management to support operational strategy, business growth, and continuous improvement objectives.
Essential Criteria
* Minimum 5 years' experience in an Operations, Manufacturing, Production, Factory, or Site Management role.
* Proven experience leading and developing teams within a manufacturing environment.
* Strong track record of delivering operational KPIs, productivity improvements, and business targets.
* Experience implementing Continuous Improvement and Lean Manufacturing initiatives.
* Experience managing operational budgets and driving cost control measures.
* Sound knowledge of Health & Safety legislation and safe working practices.
* Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
* Ability to analyse operational data and use insights to improve performance.
* High level of IT proficiency.
* Full UK driving licence.
Desirable Criteria
* Degree or professional qualification in Manufacturing, Operations Management, Engineering, Business, Food Science, or a related discipline.
* Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Continuous Improvement, or Project Management qualification.
* IOSH, NEBOSH, or equivalent Health & Safety qualification.
* Experience within a food manufacturing or FMCG environment.
* Knowledge of HACCP, BRCGS, ISO standards, or similar compliance frameworks.
* Experience leading Production, Maintenance, and Stores functions.
* Experience delivering large-scale operational improvement or change management projects.
* Experience in workforce planning, succession planning, and talent development.
* Strong commercial awareness and an interest in progressing into broader senior leadership responsibilities.