At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead daily operations in food manufacturing and drive continuous improvement.
- Company: Dynamic food manufacturing company focused on growth and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a Monday to Friday schedule, competitive salary, and full training.
- Other info: Join a supportive team and enjoy excellent work-life balance.
- Why this job: Step up your career in a hands-on role with real impact on operations.
- Qualifications: Experience in food manufacturing and a passion for leadership.
Ready for your next step and ready to leave shift work behind? Are you an experienced food manufacturing professional who feels ready to step up into an Operations Manager position? Perhaps you're currently a Production Manager, Production Supervisor, Assistant Operations Manager, Assistant Production Manager, Production Team Leader or similar, and you're ready to take on more responsibility, broaden your experience and progress your career. And here's the big plus — this is a Monday–Friday, daytime role. No rotating shifts, no nights and no weekends.
Retford, Nottinghamshire | Full-Time, Permanent | Monday–Friday | 8:00am–5:00pm
You'll work 8:00am–5:00pm, Monday to Friday, giving you the opportunity to progress your career within food manufacturing while enjoying a much better work-life balance.
The Opportunity
Working closely with the Factory General Manager, you'll play a key role in the day-to-day running and continued improvement of the manufacturing site. This is a hands-on role where you'll get involved across production, procurement, suppliers, stock, quality, compliance, people and continuous improvement. It's a genuine opportunity to move beyond managing a production area and develop your experience across the wider factory operation. You don't need to have spent years with the job title "Operations Manager" — we're much more interested in what you've actually done and what you're capable of. If you're already an experienced food manufacturing professional and feel ready to take that next step, you'll be supported by an experienced senior team while having the opportunity to make your mark.
What You'll Be Doing
- Taking responsibility for the day-to-day running of production, ensuring targets are achieved.
- Working alongside production teams to improve output, efficiency, yields and downtime.
- Identifying opportunities to improve processes using Lean, 5S and Continuous Improvement principles.
- Helping to plan resources and shift patterns to ensure the factory operates efficiently.
- Getting involved in raw material and packaging procurement, supplier management and commercial negotiations.
- Building relationships with suppliers and helping to control material costs.
- Working with warehouse teams to manage stock and minimise waste.
- Playing an important role in BRCGS audits and site compliance.
- Ensuring strong food safety, traceability and hygiene standards are maintained.
- Investigating problems, identifying root causes and putting effective corrective actions in place.
- Supporting and developing production teams, helping to create a positive and high-performing working environment.
- Working closely with the Factory General Manager to improve the overall performance and profitability of the site.
What We're Looking For
We're looking for someone with food manufacturing experience who is ready to take that next step. You might already be a:
- Production Manager
- Production Supervisor
- Assistant Operations Manager
- Assistant Production Manager
- Production Team Leader
- Senior Production Supervisor
- Factory Supervisor
Or you may have another similar background where you've gradually taken on more responsibility for people, production and operational performance. What matters is that you're now ready to step up and broaden your experience.
You'll ideally have experience of:
- Working within a food manufacturing environment.
- Managing or supervising production teams.
- Improving production efficiency, output or waste.
- Understanding HACCP, food safety and BRCGS requirements.
- Working with suppliers, raw materials or stock.
- Using Lean, 5S or Continuous Improvement techniques.
- Monitoring production KPIs and understanding the commercial impact of operational decisions.
- Leading people, solving problems and making decisions in a busy manufacturing environment.
You don't have to tick every single box. We're particularly interested in people who are ambitious, practical, commercially minded and genuinely ready to progress.
What's In It For You?
- Monday–Friday, 8:00am–5:00pm
- No shift work, nights or weekends
- Competitive salary
- Full-time, permanent position
- Company pension from commencement
- Full training provided
- Genuine opportunity to step up into Operations Management
- Broad exposure across production, procurement, quality, compliance and operations
- The opportunity to work closely with the Factory General Manager
- A role where your ideas and improvements can have a genuine impact
Ready to Step Up?
If you're an experienced food manufacturing professional who is ready for more responsibility, wants to progress your career and would love the chance to work Monday–Friday, days instead of shifts, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today for a confidential conversation and to find out more.
Operations Manager in Retford employer: Ambitions Personnel
Ambitions Personnel is an excellent employer, offering a supportive and flexible work environment that prioritises employee well-being. With opportunities for professional growth within a small, friendly finance team, you can enjoy a balanced work-life schedule while contributing to meaningful financial operations in the Newark area.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager in Retford
✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups
Getting involved in local manufacturing groups or associations can seriously boost your visibility. These groups often have insider info on job openings and networking events, plus they help you connect with like-minded folks in the industry. Check out what's happening in your area!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Practical Spaces
Consider participating in workshops or open days at manufacturing companies. It's a great way to show off your hands-on skills in a real-world environment and can sometimes lead to job offers right on the spot. Keep an eye on announcements from local manufacturers for these opportunities!
✨Leverage the Power of Internships
While you're looking for full-time positions, don't underestimate the power of internships! Even if you don't see a direct role, securing an internship at a company can open doors to future jobs. Many manufacturing firms prefer to hire from their intern pool, so it's definitely worth considering.
✨Apply Directly Through Company Websites
When you find a role at a company you love, like Ambitions Personnel, apply directly on their website. This way, you’re more likely to be noticed by the hiring team. Plus, showing that you took the time to seek out their application process highlights your genuine interest in the firm!
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager in Retford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to Ambitions Personnel specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ambitions Personnel
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with Ambitions Personnel, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like Ambitions Personnel value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
