At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operational performance and strategy across multiple food manufacturing sites.
- Company: Major UK food manufacturing business with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, executive bonus, car allowance, and pension benefits.
- Other info: Confidential process with long-term executive progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of food manufacturing and drive operational excellence.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in multi-site manufacturing leadership and operational improvement.
The predicted salary is between 180000 - 180000 £ per year.
We're supporting a major UK food manufacturing and ingredients business on the appointment of a Manufacturing Director to lead operational performance, leadership capability and manufacturing strategy across a multi-site UK operation. This is a significant executive manufacturing leadership role with responsibility for multiple manufacturing facilities, a population of Site Directors and a broad operational footprint spanning complex food, dairy and ingredients manufacturing environments. The business operates nationally across highly automated, process-led manufacturing sites supplying major UK retail, foodservice and industrial customers. This is not a traditional site leadership role. This is about leading the manufacturing system across the group.
The Opportunity
The Manufacturing Director will play a critical role in shaping operational performance, leadership standards and the future manufacturing capability of the business. The focus is on creating greater consistency, accountability and operational excellence across all manufacturing sites, whilst supporting long-term growth, investment and succession planning. You will work closely with the Group Operations leadership team and wider executive stakeholders to drive:
- Multi-site operational performance improvement
- Leadership capability and succession
- Continuous Improvement and operational excellence
- Manufacturing strategy and future footprint planning
- Cost, productivity and efficiency improvement
- Safety, quality and service performance
- Cultural alignment and leadership consistency across sites
This is a highly visible role with genuine influence across the wider group structure and future operational direction of the business.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and develop a team of Site Directors across multiple UK manufacturing facilities
- Drive operational consistency and performance across safety, quality, cost and service
- Embed a stronger Continuous Improvement culture across all sites
- Improve leadership accountability and operational discipline
- Drive manufacturing KPI improvement across OEE, waste, throughput, labour utilisation and OTIF
- Support strategic manufacturing planning, investment and future capability development
- Partner cross-functionally across Engineering, Supply Chain, Technical, HR and Commercial functions
- Support leadership succession and organisational capability development
- Lead cultural and behavioural change initiatives across manufacturing operations
- Provide manufacturing leadership input into future footprint and capital investment decisions
Candidate Profile
We are looking to engage senior manufacturing leaders with experience operating within large-scale, complex food or process manufacturing environments. You will likely bring:
- Proven multi-site manufacturing leadership experience
- Strong operational leadership across complex 24/7 manufacturing operations
- Experience leading Site Directors or senior operational leadership teams
- A track record of delivering operational performance improvement and cultural change
- Strong Continuous Improvement and Lean manufacturing capability
- Commercial awareness alongside operational leadership strength
- Experience within dairy, ingredients, FMCG or process manufacturing environments
- A visible, people-led leadership style capable of driving accountability and engagement
This role will suit an individual capable of operating strategically whilst remaining highly connected to manufacturing operations and site leadership teams.
Package
Circa £180,000 Base Salary
Executive Bonus
Car Allowance
Pension & Benefits
Long-term executive progression opportunity
Confidential Process
This appointment is being managed on a retained and highly confidential basis. For a confidential discussion, please contact: Carl Walker Leadership & Executive Search Elevation Recruitment Group
MANUFACTURING DIRECTOR in England employer: Elevation Recruitment Group
As a leading player in the UK food manufacturing sector, this company offers an exceptional work environment characterised by a commitment to operational excellence and continuous improvement. Employees benefit from a competitive executive package, including a substantial salary and long-term progression opportunities, all while being part of a collaborative culture that values leadership development and innovation across multiple sites in the North and Midlands.
Contact Details:
Elevation Recruitment Group Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land MANUFACTURING DIRECTOR in England
✨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 a Manufacturing Director role or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s manufacturing processes and recent developments. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in their operations and ready to lead their multi-site strategy.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've driven operational performance and cultural change in previous roles. This is your chance to shine and show you’re the right fit for leading their team of Site Directors.
✨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 the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace MANUFACTURING DIRECTOR in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Manufacturing Director. Highlight your multi-site leadership experience and any specific achievements in operational performance improvement. 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 tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share your vision for operational excellence and how you plan to drive cultural change across multiple sites.
Showcase Your Leadership Style:We’re looking for a visible, people-led leader. In your application, give examples of how you've engaged teams and driven accountability in previous roles. Let us know how you connect with site leadership teams!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and keep track of your application. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Elevation Recruitment Group
✨Know Your Manufacturing Metrics
Familiarise yourself with key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to the role, such as OEE, waste reduction, and labour utilisation. Be ready to discuss how you've improved these metrics in your previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples that highlight your people-led leadership approach. Discuss how you've driven accountability and engagement among Site Directors or senior teams, and be ready to share specific outcomes from your leadership initiatives.
✨Understand Continuous Improvement
Brush up on Lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement strategies. Be prepared to explain how you've embedded a culture of continuous improvement in past roles and the impact it had on operational performance.
✨Align with Company Values
Research the company's culture and values, especially around safety, quality, and service performance. During the interview, demonstrate how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to cultural and behavioural change initiatives.
