At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a transformation in food manufacturing, stabilising operations and improving standards.
- Company: Fast-evolving food manufacturing business in South Wales.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, expenses covered, and impactful work.
- Other info: Opportunity for hands-on leadership and significant career impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in a challenging environment with visible results.
- Qualifications: Experience in food manufacturing and operational turnaround required.
A highly regarded and fast-evolving food manufacturing business is seeking an exceptional Interim Factory Manager to take operational control of a small but strategically important standalone manufacturing site in South Wales. Candidates must have glass jar or glass bottle food production experience. If you also have an understanding of engineering this would be an advantage.
This is not a “steady state” factory leadership role. This is a genuine transformation assignment requiring somebody capable of rapidly stabilising an operation, rebuilding standards, restoring accountability and creating a clear, sustainable operational roadmap for the future.
The site currently operates across two shifts with a headcount of approximately 35 employees. While the operation has potential, significant work is required across:
- Operational discipline
- Leadership capability
- Site standards
- Manufacturing controls
- Health & safety
- Engineering/fabrication oversight
- Overall cultural effectiveness
The organisation is not looking for somebody who simply identifies problems. They are looking for an experienced leader who has personally led operational recovery and transformation within food manufacturing environments before, capable of entering a difficult environment, quickly diagnosing root causes, winning credibility on the shop floor and implementing practical, commercially sensible solutions that genuinely improve performance.
This assignment requires somebody highly visible, highly hands-on and comfortable operating at pace within an environment requiring immediate intervention.
The Opportunity
Reporting into senior operational leadership, you will assume responsibility for the day-to-day running, stabilisation and transformation of the site. You will be expected to quickly assess operational reality, identify critical risks and implement immediate corrective actions across areas including:
- Health & safety standards and site compliance
- Manufacturing discipline and operational controls
- Leadership effectiveness and accountability
- Workforce capability and performance management
- Factory culture and behavioural standards
- Engineering/fabrication effectiveness
- Process flow, efficiencies and waste reduction
- Communication structures and operational governance
- Site ownership, visibility and leadership presence
- Longer-term operational improvement planning
This role requires somebody capable of balancing strategic thinking with genuine operational credibility. The successful individual will be as comfortable challenging operational standards on the factory floor as they are presenting recovery plans and recommendations to senior stakeholders.
What We Are Looking For
We are specifically seeking individuals who have previously delivered operational turnaround or transformation assignments within food manufacturing environments. You will bring:
- Proven factory leadership experience within food manufacturing
- Significant experience operating within challenging or underperforming food manufacturing environments
- A track record of stabilising operations and improving standards quickly
- Strong operational and manufacturing discipline
- Experience improving health & safety culture and compliance
- Strong people leadership capability within blue-collar manufacturing environments
- The ability to challenge constructively and drive accountability
- Excellent operational judgement and decision-making capability
- A practical, sleeves-rolled-up leadership style
- Credibility with both shop floor teams and senior leadership stakeholders
This assignment will suit somebody who thrives on fixing problems, creating structure from ambiguity and delivering visible operational improvement within demanding environments.
The Individual
The successful individual is likely to be:
- Calm under pressure
- Operationally credible
- Highly resilient
- Direct but fair
- Hands-on by nature
- Commercially aware
- Visible and engaging on site
- Action-oriented
- Comfortable making difficult decisions
- Focused on sustainable improvement rather than temporary fixes
Most importantly, you will understand what “good” genuinely looks like within food manufacturing operations and know how to move an operation towards it quickly.
Assignment Details
Interim contract: 6–12 months
Circa £500-700 per day plus expenses
South Wales
Food manufacturing experience essential
Immediate or short-notice availability essential
This is a rare opportunity to make a genuinely visible impact within a business committed to operational improvement and long-term change.
To apply please send your CV to or call 0115 870 0115 for more details.
Interim Operations Manager in England employer: HPRtalent
Join a dynamic food manufacturing business in South Wales that values transformation and operational excellence. As an Interim Operations Manager, you will be part of a culture that prioritises accountability, hands-on leadership, and sustainable improvement, offering you the chance to make a significant impact in a challenging environment. With competitive daily rates and a commitment to employee growth, this role provides a unique opportunity to lead meaningful change while working alongside a dedicated team.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim Operations Manager in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the food manufacturing industry, especially those who have experience with glass jar or bottle production. A personal recommendation can make all the difference when you're aiming for that interim operations manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Be ready to showcase your transformation skills! Prepare specific examples of how you've turned around underperforming operations in the past. This will help you stand out as someone who can quickly stabilise and improve the site’s performance.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just talk the talk; walk the walk! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, be hands-on and demonstrate your operational credibility. Show them you’re not afraid to roll up your sleeves and get involved on the factory floor.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources to help you prepare for interviews and connect with the right opportunities. Plus, it shows you’re serious about landing that interim role in South Wales!
We think you need these skills to ace Interim Operations Manager in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Interim Operations Manager. Highlight your experience in food manufacturing, especially with glass jar or bottle production, and any transformation assignments you've led. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of how you’ve stabilised operations or improved standards in previous roles. This will help us see the impact you've made in challenging environments.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, be clear and concise. We appreciate straightforward communication, so get to the point while ensuring you cover all the key aspects of your experience and skills relevant to the role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates regarding your application status!
How to prepare for a job interview at HPRtalent
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your food manufacturing knowledge, especially around glass jar and bottle production. Be ready to discuss specific challenges you've faced in similar environments and how you tackled them.
✨Show Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples that showcase your hands-on leadership approach. Talk about times when you’ve stabilised operations or improved standards, and how you engaged with both shop floor teams and senior stakeholders.
✨Be Ready for Problem-Solving
This role is all about transformation, so come prepared with a few practical solutions for common operational issues. Think about how you would quickly diagnose problems and implement effective changes.
✨Demonstrate Cultural Awareness
Understand the importance of factory culture and be ready to discuss how you’ve previously improved health and safety standards and workforce performance. Show that you can create a disciplined and accountable environment.
