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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 manufacturing 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.
Head of Manufacturing employer: Melium Consulting
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. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. This will help you gain insights into the latest trends and potentially get referrals for the Head of Manufacturing position.
✨Tip Number 2
Research the company thoroughly. Understand their values, culture, and recent developments. This knowledge will not only help you tailor your approach but also demonstrate your genuine interest in shaping the future of their flagship site.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how it aligns with a people-first approach. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've developed talent and built strong teams in previous roles, as this is crucial for the position.
✨Tip Number 4
Familiarise yourself with key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to food manufacturing. Be prepared to discuss how you have successfully managed KPIs in the past and how you plan to drive operational excellence in this new role.
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 a high-performance culture and how you plan to drive continuous improvement.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your application, focus on specific examples from your past roles that demonstrate your ability to manage KPIs, lead teams, and implement lean manufacturing practices. Use metrics to quantify your successes where possible.
Showcase Your People Skills: Since this role requires a people-first approach, include anecdotes or examples that illustrate your ability to develop talent and build strong teams. Highlight any initiatives you've led that improved team engagement and performance.
How to prepare for a job interview at Melium Consulting
✨Demonstrate Your Leadership Style
As a Head of Manufacturing, showcasing your leadership style is crucial. Prepare examples of how you've inspired teams in the past, focusing on accountability and team spirit. Be ready to discuss specific situations where your leadership made a tangible difference.
✨Know Your KPIs Inside Out
Familiarise yourself with key performance indicators relevant to the role, such as safety, quality, and efficiency metrics. Be prepared to discuss how you have successfully managed these KPIs in previous roles and how you plan to exceed them in this new position.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Highlight your experience with continuous improvement initiatives. Share specific examples of how you've driven change, reduced waste, and boosted productivity in past roles. This will demonstrate your commitment to operational excellence and innovation.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit
Collaboration is key in this role, so be ready to discuss how you've worked cross-functionally in the past. Provide examples of successful partnerships with planning, engineering, and supply chain teams, illustrating your ability to keep operations running smoothly.
