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- Tasks: Lead a large-scale poultry manufacturing site and drive operational excellence.
- Company: A leading poultry business focused on innovation and quality.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of food manufacturing and make a real impact on people and performance.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in senior operational management, preferably in food manufacturing.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on integrity, accountability, and continuous improvement.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Are you an inspirational operational leader who thrives in fast-paced food manufacturing environments? Do you combine strategic thinking with hands-on execution? We are a leading poultry business seeking an exceptional Factory Manager to lead one of our large-scale manufacturing sites to the next level of performance, culture, and customer excellence. This is not just a leadership role — it’s an opportunity to shape the future of a highly automated site and make a lasting impact on our people, our customers, and our operational performance.
The Opportunity
Reporting to the General Manager, you will take full responsibility for site performance across:
- Operations
- Quality & GMP
- Distribution & Planning
- Safety & Wellbeing
- Customer Service
- Business Process Management
With 10–15 direct reports and matrix responsibility for 200–400 colleagues (within a broader site of up to 1000 employees), you will drive operational excellence while fostering a culture of integrity, accountability, and continuous improvement.
What You’ll Be Responsible For
- Delivering financial performance across labour costs, yield, waste, giveaway and line performance
- Achieving production and manufacturing targets
- Embedding best practice and continuous improvement initiatives
- Ensuring the highest standards in safety, quality, environmental compliance and statutory obligations
- Leading and developing a high-performing leadership team
- Driving employee engagement and strengthening safety culture
- Supplying outstanding products to customers — in full and on time
- Collaborating with HR & L&D to strengthen recruitment, development and retention strategies
You will work closely with the Site Leadership Team, Board of Directors, sister sites, suppliers, contractors and customers to ensure seamless operational execution.
What Success Looks Like
- Financial targets consistently achieved
- Operational KPIs met or exceeded
- Strong employee engagement scores
- Robust safety culture embedded across the site
- Visible, credible leadership presence
- Strategy translated into clear, executable plans
What We’re Looking For
We’re seeking a leader who:
- Has 5+ years in senior operational management roles within manufacturing (food industry experience highly desirable)
- Brings strong change and stakeholder management capability
- Is data-driven and confident translating insights into action
- Has a track record of executing improvement initiatives
- Can lead performance, address challenges and develop talent
- Is calm under pressure and resilient in complex environments
- Leads with authenticity, integrity and humility
- Inspires others and builds trust across teams
This role requires someone who doesn’t just talk about improvement — but delivers it.
The Leadership Profile
You will be:
- Consumer-led and customer-focused
- Proactive, strategic and commercially aware
- Comfortable making tough decisions and taking calculated risks
- Passionate about operational KPIs and financial management
- Collaborative — not silo-driven
- Able to start and finish projects with discipline and energy
Most importantly, you believe success is achieved together. If you are ready to lead at scale, influence at senior level and deliver meaningful operational excellence within a growing poultry manufacturing business, we would love to hear from you.
Factory Manager in Southampton employer: FMCG executive network
Contact Detail:
FMCG executive network Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Factory Manager in Southampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the food manufacturing industry and let them know you're on the lookout for a Factory Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity that’s not even advertised yet!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their operational goals and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. This will help you showcase your strategic thinking and hands-on execution skills during the chat.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just wait for job postings to pop up! Keep an eye on our website and apply directly through it. We love seeing proactive candidates who take the initiative to express their interest in joining our team.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role. It’s also a great chance to reiterate how you can drive operational excellence and foster a strong safety culture.
We think you need these skills to ace Factory Manager in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Factory Manager role. Highlight your leadership experience in food manufacturing and any achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive operational excellence.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've led teams, improved processes, and achieved targets in previous positions. Make it personal and engaging!
Showcase Your Data-Driven Mindset: Since we’re looking for someone who’s data-driven, be sure to mention any relevant metrics or KPIs you’ve worked with. Explain how you’ve used data to make decisions and drive improvements in your past roles.
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 don’t miss out on any important updates about the hiring process!
How to prepare for a job interview at FMCG executive network
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Factory Manager, you'll need to be data-driven. Brush up on key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to the food manufacturing industry. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive operational improvements in your previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role requires strong leadership skills. Prepare examples of how you've inspired teams and fostered a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. Think about specific situations where your leadership made a tangible difference.
✨Understand the Business
Familiarise yourself with the company's operations, values, and recent news. Being able to discuss how you can contribute to their goals will show that you're genuinely interested and invested in the role.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and decision-making under pressure. Think of scenarios where you've had to make tough decisions or manage change effectively, and be ready to share those stories.