Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire teams in a dynamic food manufacturing environment.
- Company: Join a well-established, volume food manufacturing business in Bedfordshire.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, growth opportunities, and a people-centred culture.
- Why this job: Shape the future of manufacturing while driving operational excellence and innovation.
- Qualifications: Experience in food production and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: This role offers a clear path to becoming a General Manager.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity has arisen with one of our exclusive clients, a well-established volume food manufacturing business, who are on the lookout for a visionary Head of Manufacturing to take the reins at their flagship site in Bedfordshire, England. As this is a new position within the business, it offers a unique chance to shape the future of the site, driving operational excellence, prioritising safety, and fostering a high-performance, quality-driven culture within a dynamic, multi-line production environment with a clear step stone to become the General Manager within a few years.
What You'll Be Doing:
- Lead from the front: Inspire and manage passionate production and hygiene teams, setting the tone for excellence, accountability, and team spirit.
- Deliver results that matter: Own KPIs across safety, quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction — and push beyond them.
- Champion food safety & compliance: Ensure top-tier standards and audit-readiness at all times, working closely with technical teams and contributing to the HACCP team.
- Shape the culture: Foster a collaborative, engaged, and high-performing environment that people love being a part of.
- Drive change: Lead continuous improvement initiatives, reduce waste, and boost productivity through innovation and best practice.
- Collaborate for success: Work cross-functionally with planning, engineering, supply chain, and quality to keep the operation moving seamlessly.
What We're Looking For:
- A seasoned manufacturing leader from the food industry – experience in industrial-scale food production is highly desirable.
- Someone who lives and breathes operational excellence, food safety, and continuous improvement.
- A people-first leader who develops talent, builds strong teams, and leads with energy and purpose.
- Hands-on with KPIs, budgeting, and lean manufacturing – and sharp enough to handle high-volume, fast-paced production.
- Comfortable with data, tech-savvy (MS Office, SAP), and driven by results.
What’s In It for You:
- A high-impact leadership role in a business that’s scaling and investing in the future.
- The autonomy to shape your own team, strategy, and ways of working.
- A chance to lead in a people-centred, quality-driven culture with a strong sense of purpose.
- Competitive compensation, benefits, and the opportunity to grow alongside a forward-thinking leadership team.
- Stepping stone into a senior leadership role with a clear runway to General Manager.
If you’re an experienced leader looking for your next big move in food manufacturing, let’s talk! Apply now or reach out directly for a confidential conversation.
Contact Detail:
Melium Consulting Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Manufacturing
✨Tip Number 1
Network within the food manufacturing industry to connect with professionals who can provide insights about the company and its culture. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to build relationships that could give you an edge.
✨Tip Number 2
Research the latest trends in food safety and operational excellence. Being well-versed in current best practices will not only prepare you for interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to continuous improvement.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've driven change and improved KPIs in previous roles. Tailoring your experiences to align with the job description will show that you're the right fit for this leadership position.
✨Tip Number 4
Familiarise yourself with the company's values and mission. Understanding their focus on a people-centred, quality-driven culture will help you articulate how your leadership style aligns with their goals during discussions.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Manufacturing
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in food manufacturing and leadership roles. Emphasise your achievements in operational excellence, safety compliance, and team management to align with the job requirements.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for the food industry and your vision for the Head of Manufacturing role. Discuss how your leadership style fosters high-performance teams and drives continuous improvement.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your application, focus on specific examples from your past roles that demonstrate your ability to manage KPIs, lead change initiatives, and ensure food safety compliance. Use metrics to quantify your successes.
Showcase Your People Skills: Since this role requires a people-first approach, include anecdotes that illustrate your ability to develop talent and build strong teams. Mention any training or mentoring experiences that highlight your leadership capabilities.
How to prepare for a job interview at Melium Consulting
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Head of Manufacturing, your leadership style is crucial. Be prepared to discuss how you inspire and manage teams, and provide examples of how you've fostered a high-performance culture in previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Your Knowledge of KPIs
Since you'll be owning KPIs across safety, quality, and efficiency, come ready to discuss specific metrics you've managed in the past. Highlight how you've pushed beyond targets and what strategies you employed to achieve those results.
✨Emphasise Food Safety Expertise
Food safety and compliance are paramount in this role. Be sure to articulate your experience with HACCP and any relevant audits you've led. Discuss how you ensure top-tier standards and maintain audit-readiness.
✨Prepare for Change Management Questions
Expect questions about driving change and continuous improvement. Prepare examples of initiatives you've led that reduced waste or boosted productivity, and be ready to discuss how you engage teams in these processes.
