Head of Manufacturing

New Leadership Opportunity – Head of Manufacturing

An exciting opportunity has arisen with one of our exclusive clients, 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.