Site Lead in East Kilbride

Location: Johnstones Food Service (East Kilbride)

Shift: Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week

Salary: Competitive

We have an exciting opportunity to join our East Kilbride site as part of the Finsbury Food Group in the role of Site Lead. Finsbury Food Group is a leading specialty bakery manufacturer that constantly raises quality and efficiency standards and builds long‑term relationships within the foodservice channel. We offer a wide range of bakery products and are a leading frozen supplier into the Foodservice sector.

As a Site Lead, you will lead the Johnstones manufacturing operation, converting business strategy into operational performance. You will ensure the delivery of safe, efficient and high‑quality production while overseeing Manufacturing, Technical, Warehousing and Scheduling operations. A key focus of the role is driving continuous improvement, building high‑performing teams and embedding a culture of safety, quality and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational leadership across all site functions, ensuring production targets are delivered safely, efficiently and within budget.
• Champion a strong culture of safety and ensure full compliance with all health, safety, environmental and regulatory standards.
• Accountable for delivering agreed operational KPIs aligned to tiered scorecard targets, covering output, cost, waste, service and quality performance.
• Build, develop and engage a high‑performing team through effective performance management, succession planning and talent development at all levels.
• Drive continuous improvement by embedding excellence principles, optimising processes and delivering efficiency initiatives.
• Ensure production and service schedules align with customer expectations and business demand, working closely with supply planning, demand and commercial teams.
• Develop and manage the site manufacturing operations budget, maintaining strong cost control and effective resource allocation.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally to deliver site objectives and support the wider business strategy, while also developing and delivering environmental and sustainability initiatives aligned to company strategy.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior operational or site leadership role within a manufacturing environment (preferably food/FMCG).
• Strong understanding of end‑to‑end operations, including manufacturing, warehousing and scheduling.
• Demonstrated track record of improving operational performance through Excellence application e.g. tools such as lean and Six Sigma.
• Financial and commercial acumen, with experience developing and managing budgets whilst delivering cost efficiencies.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, able to influence across all levels of the organisation.
• Experience leading large teams in a fast‑paced, high‑volume environment.
• Strong understanding of health, safety and quality systems and compliance standards.
• Visionary thinker, able to understand the bigger business picture and deliver strategy into action.
• Resilient and calm under pressure, able to lead through change.
• Hands‑on and visible leader with a strong shopfloor presence.
• Results‑oriented, pragmatic and commercially aware.
• Passionate about people development and creating an inclusive, high‑performance culture.
• Analytical thinker with strong problem‑solving capability.
• Energetic, self‑motivated and accountable.

Benefits

• Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave to allow quality time with your new arrival!
• Enhanced Pension Scheme for our employees.
• Death in Service Benefit.
• Free Employee Assistance Programme (open to colleagues and their families).
• Retail discounts accessible via our Benefits Hub platform!
• Refer a Friend Scheme (up to £300 per referral – T&C’s dependent).
• Employee Recognition Awards and Extensive Learning & Development opportunities.
• An opportunity to be part of a fantastic, growing organisation.

Our vision is to be the leading specialty bakery group in the UK, and we want the best people in place to achieve this. Our continued success is built entirely on the talented people who work here, so employee development is important to us because everyone is a valued member of the team.

If this sounds like you, please get in contact to learn more!