April 2018

Head of Operations for manufacturer of chilled and frozen food products

The Company

A manufacturer of chilled and frozen products across both brand and private label, the company supplies all of the Top 4 major multiple retailers as well as the Convenience and Foodservice channels.

The business is currently going through a sustained period of growth having doubled its turnover in the last 5 years. They’re in the fortunate position of being a well-established and highly regarded supplier in a category where there are a very small number of competitors.

It's a single site operation, based in South Yorkshire.

  • Location: South Yorkshire
  • Salary: £75,000 plus benefits

The Role

We’re looking for someone to join their team who will enjoy taking a hands-on role within a rapidly evolving company. Reporting directly to the MD of the business, the scope of the position includes the following;

Key Responsibilities:

  • To lead and develop operational performance, ensuring the business is as efficient and cost competitive as possible, with the ability to adapt to the market and exceed customer expectations.
  • Responsible for all areas of operations including engineering, production, and warehouse.
  • Manage all people, processes and machinery to ensure the factory operates at maximum efficiency and pace.
  • Drive Health, Safety and Environmental standards across all areas, ensuring a culture of awareness and safe working practices.
  • Motivate, communicate and engage with all employees to ensure optimum performance in a positive working environment.
  • Prepare capital expenditure cost-benefit justifications. Manage operational budgets for all areas of responsibility.
  • Control direct and indirect labour to meet KPI targets.
  • Drive positive change in culture and working practices, encourage aspiration in all colleagues to deliver “what a good job looks like”
  • Be proactively involved in shaping the organisational strategy for the site.
  • Coach and mentor staff at all levels encourage personal development.
  • Drive Health, Safety and Environmental standards across all areas, ensuring a culture of awareness and safe working practices.

The Person

Candidates will currently be in a senior level Operations role within the UK food manufacturing sector. It's essential that individuals have the desire to work within a small sized but rapidly growing business, with the ability to be both strategic in outlook but hands-on in approach.

Key experience and skills will include:

  • An experienced General Manager or Operations Manager within UK Food Manufacturing.
  • Proven track record of delivering against KPI’s.
  • Ability to lead and motivate others to get the best out of your team.
  • Ability to seek out challenges and implement change where required.
  • Qualities of drive, ambition, dedication, focus, ability to work with agility and pace.
  • Knowledge of TFMS standards.
  • Ability to develop strong relationships with internal stakeholders, customers and suppliers.
  • Excellent organisational and project management skills.

Please get in touch if you would like to discuss in more detail