Yester Farm Dairies is a family‑run dairy business based at Yester Mains Farm in East Lothian, specialising in fresh, premium dairy products including cottage cheese. The business is entering a significant growth phase, with investment in production capacity, facilities, equipment, people and systems.
This appointment is central to that next stage.
Role Description
The Operations Director will provide practical, day‑to‑day leadership across the operational side of the business, helping the Managing Director maintain control, pace and confidence as the company scales.
This is a hands‑on senior role in a growing business. The successful candidate must be a calm, reliable and commercially aware operator – a safe pair of hands who can bring structure, discipline and accountability without losing the practical, family‑business culture that makes Yester Farm Dairies distinctive.
Qualifications
* Senior operational leadership experience in food manufacturing; dairy, chilled or short‑shelf‑life experience would be highly relevant.
* Strong day‑to‑day site management capability, with the confidence to lead production, quality, supply chain, logistics and people priorities.
* Proven ability to work under pressure in a hands‑on SME or owner‑managed business environment.
* Track record of creating structure, routines, KPIs and accountability in a growing operation.
* Good working knowledge of food safety systems, HACCP, BRCGS or equivalent standards, and UK food manufacturing requirements.
* Practical project management skills, ideally including equipment installation, process improvement or capacity expansion.
* Commercial awareness and understanding of cost, waste, labour, yield and service performance.
* Clear, direct communication style, with the judgement to elevate appropriately and bring recommended solutions.
* Experience of cottage cheese, fresh dairy, soft cheese or cultured products.
* Exposure to UK grocery, foodservice or chilled supply chains.
* Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement or similar practical improvement experience.
* Experience helping a small food manufacturing business scale while maintaining standards and culture.
Personal Attributes
* A genuine safe pair of hands: calm, steady, dependable and trusted. Sense of humour essential too!
* Comfortable acting as the MD’s right hand – proactive, loyal, discreet and able to operate with high levels of trust.
* Hands‑on and pragmatic, with no ego about getting involved in the detail.
* Able to prioritise quickly and keep people focused when demands are high.
* Firm but fair; able to hold people accountable without damaging relationships.
* Respectful of Yester’s family‑business culture, provenance, quality and commitment to fresh, local dairy production.
This Role Will Suit Someone Who
* Succeeded as a site/operations lead, general manager or trusted deputy in a food manufacturing environment.
* Enjoys being close to the detail and making visible improvements every day.
* Can move comfortably between factory floor, team and senior management conversations to supplier discussions.
* Wants to help build a stronger operating structure in a growing business, rather than simply maintain an established corporate system.
Benefits
Yester Farm Dairies will offer a competitive package reflective of the importance of the role and the calibre of candidate.
Performance Bonus: Up to 15‑20% of base salary linked to KPI achievement and business performance.
Other benefits: Pension, private health care considered and further benefits under review as business scales including equity participation to attract an exceptional candidate.
How to Apply
Applications should be submitted with a CV and a short covering note outlining relevant operational leadership experience and motivation for joining Yester Farm Dairies at this stage of growth.
Yester Farm Dairies is an equal opportunities employer.
#J-18808-Ljbffr