General Manager Essex | £Competitive (confidential) This isn't just another operations role. I'm working exclusively with a premium food manufacturer whose product has been on dinner tables for generations. They're at a pivotal moment - growth, expansion, site transformation - and they need someone who can lead it. This is the kind of opportunity where you genuinely own something. Two manufacturing sites. Full P&L. A five-year strategic roadmap that you'll develop and drive. The autonomy to shape culture, build capability, and transform how these sites operate. What you'll actually be doing Leading transformation, not managing the status quo. You'll have full ownership of site performance, culture, and future capability. That means you're not inheriting a playbook to follow - you're writing it. Working cross-functionally with stakeholders across the business to develop and deliver the manufacturing roadmap for continuous improvement, reliability, quality, safety, and innovation. You'll be building a high-performing, engaged team where people understand their role in the wider system and feel empowered to contribute. Not through endless PowerPoints, but through visible leadership, clear communication, and the ability to coach, challenge, and develop others. The strategic piece: Develop and implement a five-year strategic roadmap for manufacturing operations Drive efficiency, innovation, and long-term growth across both sites Manage significant budgets and material value throughput Lead site expansion projects and growth initiatives The operational piece: Optimise resource deployment, yields, and site costs against business KPIs Drive a continuous improvement mindset across all site operations Manage compliance to Health & Safety, Food Safety, SALSA, and FDA standards Deliver against stretching productivity, quality, cost, and service objectives The people piece: Build technical and functional capability within your team Create development plans and progression pathways Embed company values and behaviours that drive performance Establish high-performing teams through effective leadership and culture What you'll bring The non-negotiables: Substantial operational food manufacturing experience Strong people leadership skills with the ability to integrate differing functional demands Track record of managing significant budgets and delivering operational excellence Deep understanding of manufacturing, HSE processes, and legislation Continuous improvement background in a growth business What will set you apart: You flex your leadership style to different individuals and situations You're open, authentic, and you match your actions to your words You work collaboratively, building common agendas and aligned objectives You demonstrate clear ownership, ambition, and pride in performance You create a compelling vision and motivate people to deliver their best Ideal background: Degree-level education or equivalent experience Engineering or Science-based background preferred Project management skills for managing growth and expansion projects What makes this different: This business doesn't do things by halves. They're premium, they're growing, and they're investing in their manufacturing capability. You'll have the backing, the autonomy, and the strategic importance to make a real impact. The role reports directly into senior leadership. You'll work cross-functionally with QSE, Sales & Marketing, Customer Services, Finance, Procurement, Warehouse, and Packing teams. You'll manage external relationships with government authorities and key stakeholders as the senior manager of site. This is about building something sustainable. Creating a safety-first culture, developing future leaders, embedding standards that stick, and driving performance that matters. The practical bits: 42.5 hours per week Competitive salary, payable monthly Full-time, permanent position If you're a proven operational leader who wants to genuinely own something - not just manage it - let's talk. This isn't for everyone. If you want a comfortable behind-the-desk role where you follow established processes, this isn't it. But if you want to shape strategy, build capability, and lead transformation at a premium food manufacturer during a genuine growth phase, we should have a conversation. Interested? Get in touch: Drop me a message or send your CV across. Happy to have an initial conversation about whether this fits what you're looking for. About Williams Recruitment We’re Williams Recruitment, a boutique agency that actually gets Food Manufacturing. We move fast, know our stuff, and only work with businesses we believe in. No egos, no waffle, just honest advice, brilliant opportunities, and game-changing talent. Whether you’re hiring or job hunting, we’ll cut through the noise and make things happen.