At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and optimise food manufacturing operations during exciting expansion.
- Company: Growing premium food manufacturing business with a focus on quality.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, bonus, and comprehensive benefits.
- Other info: High visibility within an ambitious leadership team and opportunities for progression.
- Why this job: Directly influence growth and customer performance in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in food manufacturing, strong operational and financial acumen.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
A growing, premium food manufacturing business is seeking an Operations Director to lead and optimise its end-to-end manufacturing function during an exciting period of expansion.
Operating within the ambient food category and supplying major retail and foodservice customers through branded and third party manufacturing goods, the business is focused on scaling production capability, improving operational efficiency and strengthening customer service performance. This is a pivotal leadership role with full accountability for manufacturing, engineering and operational delivery.
The role:
- Reporting into the business CEO, you will take ownership of the operational function, ensuring that sales growth is supported by robust manufacturing execution, strong supply chain discipline and best-in-class service levels.
- The remit includes:
- Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP)
- Contract manufacturing and co-packer management
- Branded goods
- Supply chain and demand planning
- Procurement and supplier performance
- Warehousing and distribution
- SHEQ and food safety governance
- Process improvement and operational excellence
- Field-based technical and customer support where required
This function is responsible for turning commercial opportunity into operational reality — delivering safe, compliant, high-quality food products on time and in full, while maintaining margin discipline.
- Lead all operational matters across food manufacturing and supply chain
- Ensure OTIF performance and service levels meet retailer expectations
- Oversee manufacturing to ensure food safety, quality and efficiency standards are met
- Drive continuous improvement across production planning, inventory management and logistics
- Lead Sales & Operations Planning processes to align forecast, capacity and supply
- Own operational budgets, cost control and working capital performance (including stock and aged WIP)
- Deliver weekly operational and financial forward-looking reporting
- Ensure full compliance with food safety, hygiene and regulatory standards
- Collaborate closely with Technical, NPD and Commercial teams to support product launches
- Lead capital investment planning and operational infrastructure development
- Manage procurement strategy to protect margin and ensure supply continuity
- Recruit, develop and mentor high-performing operational teams
- Implement lean manufacturing and supply chain best practices
- Resolve complex operational or customer service challenges with pace and accountability
- Create a strong succession plan for all key roles
The person:
- We are seeking a senior operations leader with deep experience in food manufacturing.
- Degree educated (engineering, food manufacturing, supply chain or related discipline)
- 10+ years’ experience within food manufacturing or FMCG production environments
- Strong understanding of ambient food production and co-manufacturing models
- Experience managing retailer-facing supply chains
- Demonstrable success delivering operational efficiency and cost improvement
- Strong commercial and financial acumen
You will demonstrate:
- Strategic oversight with strong operational detail orientation
- Deep understanding of S&OP and demand planning within food environments
- Experience leading multi-disciplinary operational teams
- High standards around food safety, compliance and quality
- Ability to operate at pace in a growing business
- Strong analytical capability and structured problem solving
- A hands-on leadership style with clear accountability
- Experience within branded and private label food supply would be highly advantageous.
Why Consider This Role?
- Full operational ownership within a scaling food manufacturer
- Opportunity to strengthen manufacturing and supply chain capability
- Direct influence on growth trajectory and customer performance
- High visibility within a lean, ambitious leadership team
- Platform for future progression within a growing food group
This opportunity will suit a commercially astute, operationally disciplined leader who understands the complexities of food manufacturing and thrives on delivering performance in a growth environment.
To apply please email your CV to
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Site Director - Food in England
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We think you need these skills to ace Site Director - Food in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Projects:When applying for a role in food science and technology at HPRExecutive, make sure to highlight any relevant projects or research you've worked on. Whether it’s a dissertation, a lab experiment, or a product development idea, detail these experiences to demonstrate your hands-on skills in the field—employers love to see practical applications of your knowledge!
Highlight Technical Skills:In the food science and technology industry, technical skills are key. Be sure to list any specific skills you have related to food safety, quality control, or food processing technologies on your CV. Also, mention any software or analytical tools you’re proficient in, as this shows you're ready to hit the ground running at HPRExecutive.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:As this is a full-time position, your cover letter should convey not just why you want the job, but also how you fit into the company's vision. Talk about your passion for food science and how your background uniquely positions you to contribute to HPRExecutive. Make it personal and compelling!
Include Certifications:If you have any certifications related to food science, safety, or technology, be sure to mention them. These can really set you apart from other candidates! List them prominently on your CV and discuss how they relate to the role at HPRExecutive. It shows you're committed to your professional development.
How to prepare for a job interview at HPRExecutive
✨Know Your Lab Tech!
Given that you’re diving into food science and technology, brush up on the specific technologies and lab equipment mentioned in the job description. Familiarising yourself with tools like gas chromatography or texture analyzers will show that you’re serious about the technical side of things.
✨Show Off Your Project Experience
Prepare to discuss any relevant projects or research you've undertaken in food science. Whether it’s developing a new recipe, conducting taste tests, or analysing nutritional content, having tangible examples can really show off your expertise and passion for the field.
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Don't underestimate the importance of teamwork and communication in food science roles. Be ready to highlight instances where you’ve effectively collaborated with others or communicated complex scientific ideas clearly. This can make a huge difference in landing that full-time gig!
✨Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends
Make sure you’re clued up about the latest trends in food science and technology — think sustainability, food safety, and innovative processing techniques. Discussing these topics during your interview can demonstrate your enthusiasm for the field and how you can contribute to HPRExecutive’s mission.
