At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead transformation and growth in a key food manufacturing operation.
- Company: Established food manufacturer with ambitious growth plans and strong reputation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, relocation support, and great corporate benefits.
- Other info: Opportunity for significant strategic influence and long-term career potential.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a business and make a lasting impact.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in food manufacturing and experience in operational excellence.
The predicted salary is between 120000 - 140000 £ per year.
Site Director – Food manufacturing South Wales – relocation available
Salary: £120,000 -£140,000 + great corporate benefits
A rare opportunity to lead the transformation, growth and future direction of a strategically important food manufacturing operation. There are very few Site Director opportunities that genuinely offer the chance to shape the future of a business both at operational and Board level.
We are seeking an exceptional manufacturing leader to take responsibility for a profitable, growing food manufacturing operation employing approximately 200 colleagues and supplying major foodservice and Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) customers. The business has ambitious growth plans, significant capital investment committed, a clear long-term strategy and an opportunity to substantially enhance capability, performance and operational excellence over the coming years.
Reporting directly to the Managing Director and operating as a key member of the senior leadership team (Board), this role combines strategic leadership, operational excellence, organisational development and large-scale transformation. This is not a maintenance role. This is an opportunity to create lasting impact.
The Business: The site is a well-established food manufacturing operation with a strong reputation, loyal workforce and long-standing customer relationships. The business has performed strongly and continues to enjoy significant growth opportunities within the QSR and foodservice sectors. Over the next five years the site is expected to play a pivotal role in delivering the organisation's growth ambitions and will benefit from a substantial multi-million-pound investment programme focused on facilities, equipment, infrastructure and operational capability.
The Challenge: The successful candidate will inherit a site with significant strengths but also clear opportunities for improvement. Whilst commercial performance remains strong, the business recognises the need to further strengthen:
- Leadership capability.
- Accountability and ownership.
- Pace of decision making.
- Operational discipline.
- Continuous improvement culture.
- Engineering effectiveness.
- Cross-functional collaboration.
- Adoption of digital operational excellence tools.
- Future succession capability.
The site requires a leader who can simultaneously deliver today's operational requirements whilst building the capability required for tomorrow's growth. This is a role for someone who enjoys creating clarity, structure and momentum within complex manufacturing environments.
The Opportunity: You will:
- Lead a Significant Growth Agenda
- Support substantial revenue growth.
- Expand operational capability.
- Increase organisational capacity.
- Ensure the site is equipped to support future customer demand.
- Deliver Major Investment Programmes
- Play a key leadership role in a significant capital investment programme.
- Support refurbishment and modernisation projects.
- Work closely with engineering, projects and supply chain teams.
- Ensure operational continuity throughout periods of change.
- Build a High-Performing Leadership Team
- Develop capability across the site leadership team.
- Strengthen accountability and ownership.
- Create succession plans for key roles.
- Raise expectations and standards throughout the operation.
- Drive Operational Excellence
- Improve performance management disciplines.
- Increase effectiveness of operational review processes.
- Enhance utilisation of digital factory systems and tools.
- Embed continuous improvement methodologies.
- Improve productivity, engagement and operational performance.
- Shape Culture
- Create greater pace and energy.
- Foster collaboration across functions.
- Build confidence and capability.
- Develop a culture where individuals take ownership and make decisions.
- Lead through influence, visibility and credibility.
What Success Will Look Like: Within your first 12–24 months you will have:
- Established yourself as a trusted and respected leader.
- Created a clear vision for the site.
- Improved leadership capability.
- Increased accountability at all levels.
- Enhanced operational discipline and standards.
- Driven meaningful progress against operational excellence objectives.
- Supported key investment projects.
- Positioned the site for sustainable future growth.
About You: You are an accomplished manufacturing leader with a proven track record of delivering results through people. You understand that transformation is not achieved through process alone. It is achieved through leadership. You are likely to bring:
- Degree educated or equivalent.
- Significant progressive food manufacturing experience.
- Site Director, Site General Manager, Operations Director or equivalent leadership experience.
- Experience leading complex manufacturing engineering and operational understanding.
- Experience delivering change and a track record of improving standards and performance.
- Experience developing leadership teams.
- Strong stakeholder management skills.
- Experience operating within matrix structures.
- Customer-facing credibility.
- Commercial awareness and business acumen.
Most importantly, you possess the leadership presence, resilience and emotional intelligence required to lead a business through significant growth and change.
Particularly Relevant Experience Could Include:
- QSR manufacturing.
- Foodservice manufacturing.
- B2B food manufacturing.
- Chilled, ambient or ingredients manufacturing.
- Operational Excellence programmes.
- Lean manufacturing environments.
- Continuous Improvement leadership.
- Redzone or equivalent connected workforce capital investment programmes.
- Culture change initiatives.
Leadership Style Required: This role requires a leader who can:
- Set high standards.
- Hold people accountable.
- Develop capability.
- Build trust.
- Influence stakeholders.
- Challenge constructively.
- Lead visible change.
- Bring people with them on the journey.
This is not a command-and-control environment. Success will come through consistency, credibility, coaching and leadership.
Why Consider This Opportunity? For the right individual, this role offers:
- Significant strategic influence.
- Direct exposure to senior leadership and board-level decision making.
- The opportunity to lead a major transformation agenda.
- Responsibility for a strategically important manufacturing investment backing.
- Long-term career potential.
- The opportunity to create a lasting legacy.
Few Site Director roles offer this combination of growth, investment, challenge and opportunity. Confidential enquiries are welcomed and will be handled with complete discretion.
Manufacturing Director - Food Manufacturing employer: HPRExecutive
Join a leading food manufacturing operation in South Wales, where you will have the unique opportunity to shape the future of the business at both operational and Board levels. With a strong commitment to employee development, a collaborative work culture, and significant capital investment planned for the site, this role not only offers competitive remuneration but also the chance to make a lasting impact in a thriving industry. Embrace the challenge of leading a high-performing team while enjoying the benefits of a supportive environment that prioritises growth and innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Manufacturing Director - Food Manufacturing
✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups
Getting involved in local manufacturing groups or associations can seriously boost your visibility. These groups often have insider info on job openings and networking events, plus they help you connect with like-minded folks in the industry. Check out what's happening in your area!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Practical Spaces
Consider participating in workshops or open days at manufacturing companies. It's a great way to show off your hands-on skills in a real-world environment and can sometimes lead to job offers right on the spot. Keep an eye on announcements from local manufacturers for these opportunities!
✨Leverage the Power of Internships
While you're looking for full-time positions, don't underestimate the power of internships! Even if you don't see a direct role, securing an internship at a company can open doors to future jobs. Many manufacturing firms prefer to hire from their intern pool, so it's definitely worth considering.
✨Apply Directly Through Company Websites
When you find a role at a company you love, like HPRExecutive, apply directly on their website. This way, you’re more likely to be noticed by the hiring team. Plus, showing that you took the time to seek out their application process highlights your genuine interest in the firm!
We think you need these skills to ace Manufacturing Director - Food Manufacturing
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to HPRExecutive specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at HPRExecutive
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with HPRExecutive, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like HPRExecutive value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
