At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations at a major chilled food manufacturing site and drive excellence.
- Company: Join The Compleat Food Group, the UK's fastest growing chilled food manufacturer.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, car allowance, bonus, and extensive employee perks.
- Other info: Be part of a culture that values inclusivity, development, and community engagement.
- Why this job: Shape the future of food production while leading passionate teams.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in FMCG manufacturing with strong leadership and change management skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Shape the future of a major chilled food manufacturing site and lead teams to deliver excellence. The Compleat Food Group is the fastest growing chilled food manufacturing company in the UK. We supply the UK’s most recognizable retailers and Food Service businesses with high‑quality chilled products. We are seeking an experienced, people‑focused Head of Operations to oversee all manufacturing at our Palethorpes Bakery in Shropshire. The role is key to ensuring production, quality, service and cost performance consistently meet and exceed business expectations.
Responsibilities
- Lead and guide Factory Managers to deliver budgeted financial and service performance across 24/7 operations.
- Review daily KPIs, allocate clear accountabilities and ensure effective operational control.
- Manage overhead budgets, forecasts and P&L responsibilities.
- Champion product quality through collaboration with Technical, Asset Care, Hygiene, Development, OPEX and Production teams.
- Partner with NPD to ensure smooth, well‑embedded product introductions.
- Drive a culture of operational excellence across all production areas.
- Maintain regular contact with customers to build confidence and strong working relationships.
- Lead capital planning projects: identify requirements, source equipment and deliver agreed financial benefits.
- Coach, mentor and develop direct managers to build a strong succession pipeline.
- Lead succession planning and support recruitment of future operational leaders.
Qualifications & Experience
- At least 10 years’ experience in FMCG manufacturing.
- Strong exposure to chilled, high‑care, short‑life production.
- Demonstrable background in change management, culture shift and people leadership.
- Experience of OpEx / CI / Lean Manufacturing processes.
- Full financial awareness: P&L ownership, budgeting, forecasting.
- Knowledge of HR practice.
- Experience in supply chain operations within a fast‑moving environment.
- Understanding of technical/food safety standards.
- Strong project management capability.
- Degree or equivalent; management qualification desirable.
Benefits
- Competitive Car Allowance and Company Bonus Scheme.
- Salary Sacrifice Schemes: Electric Vehicles, Home & Tech, Cycle to Work, SMART Pension.
- 33 days’ annual leave (incl. bank holidays) with option to purchase extra holiday.
- Discounts via online retail platform; free product handouts.
- EV charging points at selected sites.
- 24/7 access to GroceryAid (financial, emotional, practical support).
- Physical Wellbeing Hub, free on‑demand exercise programmes, online classes, gym discounts.
- Free diet & nutrition advice; thousands of meal plans and healthy recipes.
- Financial wellbeing tools: mortgage calculators, budgeting tools.
- Personalised online learning platform, formal/informal training, performance development plans, regular career conversations.
- Industry‑leading Mentoring Scheme.
- Club Compleat rewards portal and recognition events.
- Paid volunteering days and community initiatives.
Equal Opportunities
We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and are committed to Fairness, Equity, Inclusivity and Respect. If you need a reasonable adjustment at any stage of our recruitment process, just let us know, we’ll support you confidentially and with care.
Head of Operations (Chilled Food Production) employer: Career Choices Dewis Gyrfa Ltd
The Compleat Food Group is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Market Drayton where innovation and operational excellence thrive. With competitive salaries, generous benefits including a car allowance, and a strong focus on employee development through mentoring and training, we empower our team to grow and succeed. Join us to be part of a rapidly expanding company that values inclusivity and community engagement, ensuring a rewarding career in the chilled food manufacturing sector.
Contact Details:
Career Choices Dewis Gyrfa Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Operations (Chilled Food Production)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or at events. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Show us you’re not just a fit for the role, but also for our team. We love candidates who align with our values!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience in FMCG manufacturing makes you the perfect Head of Operations. Confidence is key, so let your passion shine through.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Operations (Chilled Food Production)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Operations role. Highlight your experience in FMCG manufacturing and any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about chilled food production and how you can drive operational excellence. We love seeing genuine enthusiasm!
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of how you've improved processes or led successful projects. We’re all about results, so let us know what you’ve accomplished!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for the best experience. It’s straightforward and ensures your application gets to the right people. Plus, we can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Career Choices Dewis Gyrfa Ltd
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Head of Operations, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on your P&L management, budgeting, and forecasting skills. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed budgets in previous roles and the impact it had on operational performance.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role requires strong people leadership, so think about your coaching and mentoring experiences. Prepare examples of how you've developed teams and driven culture shifts in past positions. Highlight your approach to building a succession pipeline and how you empower your managers.
✨Emphasise Operational Excellence
Familiarise yourself with Lean Manufacturing and OpEx principles. Be prepared to discuss specific initiatives you've led that improved efficiency or quality in production. Use metrics to back up your claims and show how you’ve championed product quality in collaboration with various teams.
✨Build Relationships
Since maintaining customer relationships is key, think about how you've engaged with clients in the past. Prepare to share examples of how you've built confidence and trust with customers, and how that has positively impacted service delivery and operational success.
