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- Tasks: Lead day-to-day operations in a high-volume food manufacturing site.
- Company: Established UK food manufacturing business with a strong investment in growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership opportunities, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Why this job: Step into a senior role with the power to influence business performance.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in operational leadership within food or FMCG sectors.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for continuous improvement and team leadership.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
We are partnering with an established UK food manufacturing business operating a large, high-volume site in the North West. It is well invested, with the scale and complexity to offer a genuinely senior operational leadership challenge.
The role involves reporting to the General Manager, and the Head of Operations will be responsible for the day-to-day operational performance of the site. This is a visible, hands-on role, leading large teams and setting clear expectations around standards, pace, and accountability.
Key responsibilities include:
- Ownership of site operational performance across safety, quality, service, cost, and efficiency
- Driving improvements in asset reliability, labour effectiveness, and schedule adherence
- Establishing clear KPIs, routines, and operational discipline
- Working closely with functional colleagues to deliver continuous improvement
- Supporting delivery of site-level operational plans and priorities
The person:
This role will suit an experienced operations leader from a high-volume food or FMCG manufacturing environment, comfortable running complex, asset-intensive operations.
Key criteria include:
- Proven track record in senior operational leadership roles
- Experience improving reliability, efficiency, and operational control
- Strong people leadership skills, with experience leading large workforces
- Structured, pragmatic approach with a bias to action
- Commercially aware and comfortable operating under pressure
- Experience in own-label or customer-led manufacturing environments is beneficial
This is an opportunity to step into a senior operations role with real responsibility, scale, and scope to influence business performance.
Head of Operations (Food Manufacturing) in Manchester employer: Drayton
Contact Detail:
Drayton Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Operations (Food Manufacturing) in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend relevant events, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its operations. Understand their challenges and think about how your experience can help them improve efficiency and performance. Show them you’re not just another candidate!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've led large teams and driven operational improvements. This will showcase your hands-on approach and ability to set clear expectations.
✨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 are proactive and engaged with our platform.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Operations (Food Manufacturing) in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the key skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. Highlight your leadership roles and any achievements in operational performance, especially in high-volume food or FMCG environments.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for the Head of Operations role. Share specific examples of how you've driven improvements in efficiency and reliability in past positions, and don’t forget to show your passion for the food manufacturing industry!
Showcase Your People Skills: Since this role involves leading large teams, make sure to emphasise your people leadership skills. Share stories that demonstrate how you've successfully managed teams, set clear expectations, and fostered a culture of accountability.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Drayton
✨Know Your Numbers
Make sure you’re familiar with key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to the food manufacturing industry. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive improvements in operational performance, such as safety, quality, and efficiency.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples that highlight your people leadership skills. Think about times when you successfully led large teams, set clear expectations, and drove accountability. This role is hands-on, so demonstrate how you engage and motivate your workforce.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Be ready to talk about specific initiatives you've implemented that improved asset reliability or labour effectiveness. Discuss your structured approach to problem-solving and how you’ve fostered a culture of continuous improvement in previous roles.
✨Understand the Business Context
Research the company and its position within the food manufacturing sector. Understand their challenges and opportunities, especially in high-volume production. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you’re commercially aware and ready to operate under pressure.
