Overview
Mon–Fri Days. Reporting into the Senior Site Director, you will be a key member of the Site Leadership Team at our Stourton Dairy. You will be delivering strategic direction across the site which employs 450 colleagues and is Arla’s most complex milk site in the UK. Arla is a global business and this is a great opportunity to collaborate closely with peers across the UK and global network to maximise operational performance and share best practice.
Senior Business Development Manager – Stourton Dairy
Location: Stourton Dairy, LS10 1AB
Mon–Fri Days. Reporting into the Senior Site Director, you will be a key member of the Site Leadership Team at our Stourton Dairy. You will be delivering strategic direction across the site which employs 450 colleagues and is Arla’s most complex milk site in the UK. Arla is a global business and this is a great opportunity to collaborate closely with peers across the UK and global network to maximise operational performance and share best practice.
How will you make an impact?
* Lead and contribute to site and area leadership teams, providing strategic direction while coordinating key support functions and cross‑functional stakeholders (including Procurement, NPD, Engineering & Technology).
* Oversee the full project portfolio (operational, CAPEX and strategic), ensuring effective governance, ONE CI/LEAN integration, and consistent use of agreed systems and processes.
* Drive business performance through execution of the local business plan, master planning (investment, capacity, technology and process), and robust performance management aligned with Arla standards.
* Champion a healthy, safe and inclusive culture while ensuring full compliance with Arla policies, legal requirements and Health, Safety & Food Safety standards.
* Role model continuous improvement by owning the LEAN/APS framework, challenging the status quo, enabling digital reporting tools, and preparing business cases and updates for leadership.
What will you need to succeed?
In order to succeed in this role you will need to be an experienced and strategic operational leader who has previous people management experience and can demonstrate examples of delivering transformation projects in previous roles. This role would suit an Operations Manager who has the ambition to grow into a Site Director role in future.
* FMCG or dairy sector experience is desirable but we would also consider candidates from a manufacturing background.
* Previous experience of using digital analysis tools such as PowerBI.
* Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal with the ability to business partner and challenge in a professional manner.
What do we offer?
We’re committed to supporting your growth and development, offering internal and external training opportunities. You’ll enjoy a competitive salary, 26 days of holiday plus Bank Holidays, matched pension contributions up to 6%, life assurance, and bonus scheme. We also provide BUPA Healthcare and flexible other benefits.
Want to apply?
Please apply using the link or reach out to Rachel McDaid, Senior Talent Partner at Arla Foods ramci@arlafoods.com. The deadline for applications is Tuesday 10th Feb 2026.
Please note we are not partnered with any recruitment agencies for this role. We kindly ask that recruitment agencies do not submit CVs on behalf of candidates for this role, as these CVs will not be considered under the agency ownership and if Arla does progress with any such candidate, this will not amount to acceptance of the agency\'s terms. We encourage interested individuals to apply directly through our official channels.
Shape the Future of Dairy
Arla is a global leader in the dairy industry, committed to enabling good food choices that make life better, providing people with natural, sustainable nourishment, while taking care at every step to ensure Arla is a choice they can feel good about. If you are looking to shape the future with an ambitious global cooperative that truly cares about your growth, where everyone feels valued and empowered, and collaboration is the core of culture, Arla is a choice you can feel good about.
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