General Manager (Food) in Kendal

Ready to Shape the Future of Operations? Are you an ambitious, results-driven leader with a passion for transforming operations? Do you thrive in fast-paced, high-stakes environments and have a proven track record in production, operations, or logistics? If so, we want YOU to help take our site in Cumbria to the next level.

Your Opportunity: As the business continues to expand, we're on the lookout for a General Manager who is ready to lead with resilience, inspire teams, and drive continuous improvement during a pivotal moment in our growth journey. This is not just a job - it is an opportunity for a high-calibre leader with a proven record of career progression and achievement to shape the future of the commercial and operational performance of an internationally recognised, high-performance business.

We are seeking an individual who has consistently demonstrated the ability to deliver results, take on increasing levels of responsibility, and progress through merit and performance. Critically, this role requires a commercially astute leader who understands that operational excellence and customer success go hand in hand. You will bring a strong commercial background with direct experience of managing key customer relationships, engaging face-to-face with clients, and acting as a trusted partner to customers at both operational and strategic levels.

You will be comfortable leading commercial discussions and negotiations, with experience of securing and managing contracts, understanding pricing strategies and profit margins, and making decisions that positively impact both customer outcomes and business profitability. Equally important will be your ability to build long-term partnerships, drive customer retention, and identify opportunities for growth through exceptional service delivery and relationship management.

Whether you're an established General Manager or an exceptional senior operational leader ready for the next step, this role provides the platform to demonstrate your ambition, accelerate your development, and build a long-term success story. We are looking for an individual with the drive, resilience, and determination to make a genuine success of a General Management role and leave a lasting impact on the business, our customers, and our people.

Your Mission:

• Inspire and Lead: Motivate cross-functional teams - from production to logistics to customer services - to deliver excellence each day, fostering a culture of trust, collaboration, and performance.
• Take Full Ownership: Own the P&L for the site, ensuring strong financial performance while safeguarding revenue and delivering against ambitious EBITDA targets.
• Develop People: Be a mentor and coach to your teams, creating an environment where colleagues - both new and existing - feel valued, engaged, and empowered to thrive.
• Drive Continuous Improvement: Lead the charge on LEAN transformation initiatives, embedding our culture of safety, quality, and operational excellence into every facet of the site's operations.
• Shape the Future: Identify new opportunities for growth, efficiency, and innovation, while ensuring alignment with the company's long-term strategic vision.
• Deliver Exceptional Service: Put customer satisfaction at the heart of everything you do, ensuring we continue to exceed expectations, even during periods of change.

What We're Looking For:

• Leadership: You've led teams in a fast-paced operational environment, with a strong focus on motivating, engaging, and driving performance at all levels.
• Demonstrated Career Progression and Ambition: We are seeking a high-calibre individual who can demonstrate clear and consistent progression throughout their career, reflecting exceptional performance, leadership capability, and a willingness to take on increasing levels of responsibility.
• Leadership Potential and Gravitas: Whether you are already operating successfully at General Manager level or are an exceptional senior operational leader ready to make the transition, you will bring the credibility, commercial acumen, and leadership presence required to lead a complex operation and influence across all levels of the organisation.
• Change Management Expertise: You have a track record of successfully navigating cultural and procedural transitions, with the ability to make change work to your advantage.
• Commercial Savvy: You are confident in managing budgets, KPIs, and performance metrics, with a sharp eye on profitability and operational performance.
• A People-First Leader: You have a natural ability to develop talent and inspire those around you, ensuring your team thrives in an environment of accountability, trust, and collaboration.
• Passion for Continuous Improvement: You're always looking for ways to improve processes, increase efficiency, and drive results.
• Commitment to Personal and Professional Development: You are passionate about personal growth and continuous learning. Degree educated or above will make you stand out further.
• Commitment to Excellence: You take pride in your work and are dedicated to health, safety, quality, and sustainability.

Why Us?

• Global Impact: Join a business that's already making waves internationally, with opportunities to develop, learn, and grow within an organisation that values leadership, innovation, and accountability.
• Your Career, Your Way: Whether you're taking the next step in your career or stepping up to a more senior role, we support your ambitions.

Barker Ross Group values diversity and promotes equality. We encourage and welcome applications from all sections of society and are more than happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and/or additional arrangements as required to support your application.