Operations Manager

Our client is a specialist UK-based manufacturing operation forming part of a wider international group active across food, nutraceutical, agri-feed, and fermentation-based biotechnology markets. The business provides contract manufacturing and processing services to food and ingredient customers, supporting the handling, transformation, and scale-up of fermentation-derived and functional materials for downstream integration into finished products.

The UK operation plays a critical role within the group’s wider value chain and is supported by a broader global manufacturing and processing network, providing access to significant technical capability, infrastructure, and expertise. Locally, the business operates across multiple production environments, including fermentation-based manufacturing, high-volume dry processing, and highly complex multi-SKU contract production.

This is a newly created Operations Manager role designed to bring structure, coordination, and stronger operational control across three distinct manufacturing sites. The position sits between the senior site leadership team and production management and will play a critical role in stabilising operations, improving planning discipline, and raising day‑to‑day execution standards.

The successful candidate will work closely with the General Manager while providing clear operational leadership across the sites, ensuring production activities are aligned, risks are controlled, and performance expectations are consistently met.

This is a full‑time, five‑day‑per‑week, site‑based role. The business places a strong emphasis on continuity and stability and therefore prefers candidates who live locally or are willing to relocate within a reasonable commuting distance.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall operational oversight across multiple manufacturing sites, ensuring alignment on priorities, plans, and performance.
• Introduce robust production planning, scheduling, and coordination across all sites to improve reliability of supply and operational visibility.
• Lead and support site and production management, setting clear expectations and strengthening accountability.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using recognised methodologies such as Lean, 5S, Six Sigma, and Kaizen.
• Monitor operational KPIs and production metrics, identifying risks, bottlenecks, and improvement opportunities.
• Ensure all manufacturing activities meet quality standards, regulatory requirements, and internal procedures.
• Work closely with engineering, quality, supply chain, and commercial teams to ensure cross‑functional alignment.
• Oversee plant performance and asset utilisation, ensuring equipment is maintained safely and effectively.
• Support and manage CAPEX projects in conjunction with senior leadership, suppliers, and contractors.
• Maintain strong standards around health, safety, and environmental compliance across all sites (e.g., packaging/EPR and REACH).
• Act as a key operational link between senior management and production teams, ensuring clear communication in both directions.

Candidate Requirements

• Degree‑qualified, ideally in engineering, manufacturing, food science, or a related technical discipline.
• Proven experience in an operations or senior production management role within a manufacturing environment.
• Background in food, feed, fermentation, biological, or process manufacturing strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience implementing operational structure, planning systems, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Comfortable managing complexity across multiple sites or diverse production lines.
• Strong people leadership skills with the ability to challenge, support, and develop operational teams.
• Commercially aware with a pragmatic, problem‑solving mindset.
• Confident working in a hands‑on, site‑based role within a growing SME environment.
• Familiarity with ERP systems and production planning tools.
• Strong understanding of health, safety, environmental, and regulatory compliance requirements.

Remuneration

Salary for this role is in the range of £60,000– £65,000 per year. Additional benefits include pension contributions, healthcare, discretionary annual bonus, and an additional annual leave entitlement linked to length of service.

For further information, please contact us at jobs@consultghi.com. To apply, please submit your resume and a brief cover note outlining relevant operational leadership experience.