Factory Manager – various shift patterns available!
Are you an inspirational operational leader who thrives in fast-paced food manufacturing environments? Do you combine strategic thinking with hands-on execution?
We are a leading poultry business seeking an exceptional Factory Manager to lead one of our large-scale manufacturing sites to the next level of performance, culture, and customer excellence.
This is not just a leadership role — it’s an opportunity to shape the future of a highly automated site and make a lasting impact on our people, our customers, and our operational performance.
The Opportunity
Reporting to the General Manager, you will take full responsibility for site performance across:
* Operations
* Quality & GMP
* Distribution & Planning
* Safety & Wellbeing
* Customer Service
* Business Process Management
With 10–15 direct reports and matrix responsibility for 200–400 colleagues (within a broader site of up to 1000 employees), you will drive operational excellence while fostering a culture of integrity, accountability, and continuous improvement.
What You’ll Be Responsible For
🔹 Delivering financial performance across labour costs, yield, waste, giveaway and line performance
🔹 Achieving production and manufacturing targets
🔹 Embedding best practice and continuous improvement initiatives
🔹 Ensuring the highest standards in safety, quality, environmental compliance and statutory obligations
🔹 Leading and developing a high-performing leadership team
🔹 Driving employee engagement and strengthening safety culture
🔹 Supplying outstanding products to customers — in full and on time
🔹 Collaborating with HR & L&D to strengthen recruitment, development and retention strategies
You will work closely with the Site Leadership Team, Board of Directors, sister sites, suppliers, contractors and customers to ensure seamless operational execution.
What Success Looks Like
✔ Financial targets consistently achieved
✔ Operational KPIs met or exceeded
✔ Strong employee engagement scores
✔ Robust safety culture embedded across the site
✔ Visible, credible leadership presence
✔ Strategy translated into clear, executable plans
What We’re Looking For
We’re seeking a leader who:
* Has 5+ years in senior operational management roles within manufacturing (food industry experience highly desirable)
* Brings strong change and stakeholder management capability
* Is data-driven and confident translating insights into action
* Has a track record of executing improvement initiatives
* Can lead performance, address challenges and develop talent
* Is calm under pressure and resilient in complex environments
* Leads with authenticity, integrity and humility
* Inspires others and builds trust across teams
This role requires someone who doesn’t just talk about improvement — but delivers it.
The Leadership Profile
You will be:
* Consumer-led and customer-focused
* Proactive, strategic and commercially aware
* Comfortable making tough decisions and taking calculated risks
* Passionate about operational KPIs and financial management
* Collaborative — not silo-driven
* Able to start and finish projects with discipline and energy
Most importantly, you believe success is achieved together.
If you are ready to lead at scale, influence at senior level and deliver meaningful operational excellence within a growing poultry manufacturing business, we would love to hear from you