Location: Andover
Business: Pilgrim's Europe – Lamb Division
Reporting to: Division Lead – Lamb
Direct Reports: 6+ managers and wider operational teams
The Opportunity
Pilgrim's Europe is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead our Andover Lamb site, driving performance across production, engineering and despatch while embedding a culture of safety, quality and continuous improvement.
This is a senior leadership role with full accountability for operational delivery, people leadership and site financial performance. You'll work closely with cross-functional teams across the Pilgrim's Group to ensure alignment with wider business, category and group strategies.
Key Responsibilities
Lead all site operations to deliver productivity, efficiency, quality and financial targets
Act as a core member of the Site Senior Leadership Team, delivering KPIs hourly, daily and weekly
Drive a strong Health & Safety culture, ensuring “Safety is a Condition”
Champion Quality and Food Safety, ensuring the site is always audit-ready
Own site P&L, budgets, labour planning, yield performance and cost control
Strategically plan resources and capacity to maximise output and efficiency
Coach, mentor and develop managers and teams to build capability and engagement
Lead continuous improvement initiatives including 5S and Operational Excellence
Manage customer relationships, site visits and external audits (BRC, SMETA, customer audits)
Ensure full compliance with legal, ethical, environmental and food safety standards
Work collaboratively with HR, Finance, Engineering, Technical, Sales and Supply Chain teams
About You
You'll be a confident, visible leader who takes ownership, leads by example and thrives in a fast-paced FMCG environment.
Proven experience in FMCG manufacturing operations (meat industry experience advantageous)
Strong track record of delivering KPIs, margins and continuous improvement
Solid understanding of manufacturing efficiency, labour modelling and cost control
Experience leading large, multi-layered operational teams
Ability to operate effectively under pressure in a changing environment
Strong coaching and people development capability
Experience with CI tools such as 5S and change management programmes
Qualifications (or equivalent experience):
Food Safety
IOSH Managing Safely
HACCP / TACCP
Why Work at Pilgrim's Europe?
A senior leadership role with real autonomy and influence
Opportunity to shape performance and culture at a key operational site
Part of a growing, values-led international food business
Strong focus on career development and internal progression
Competitive salary
Benefits package including:
Pension scheme
Life assurance
Employee assistance programme
Discount and wellbeing schemes
Ongoing training and leadership development
Ready to make an impact?
If you're a driven operations leader who thrives on accountability, values high standards and wants the opportunity to shape performance at site level, we'd love to hear from you.
Join Pilgrim's Europe and play for a key role in delivering safe, high-quality food while developing high-performing teams in a business where ownership, improvement and leadership truly matter.
Apply now and take the next step in your leadership career with Pilgrim's Europe!
TPBN1_UKTJ