At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead daily operations, ensuring smooth workflows and high standards in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join Mindful Chef, a purpose-led business focused on healthy eating and community values.
- Benefits: Enjoy a people-first culture, opportunities for growth, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Embrace diversity and inclusion as part of our core values; your voice matters here.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while collaborating with passionate teams and driving operational excellence.
- Qualifications: Experience in fast-paced operations, strong leadership skills, and proficiency in data analysis tools required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
More Than Just A Job
About the role
Working with 2 other Operations Managers, this person will own the day-to-day performance of warehouse and production operations, using data and process scrutinisation to keep the site running safely, efficiently, and consistently - while hitting the service levels customers expect.
This is a hands-on, metrics-driven role, accountable for line efficiency, throughput, and cost control across production, fulfilment, quality, food safety, and health & safety. Working closely with Engineering, Supply Chain and Continuous Improvement, this role digs into root causes, resolves issues fast, and builds systems and standard work that make improvements stick.
Working Schedule: Sunday - Thursday 9am-6pm, with occasional cover on other days.
What we are looking for
We're looking for someone who's genuinely energised by operational excellence, the kind of person who can't walk past a line without mentally calculating throughput, who tracks their own KPIs for fun, and who'd rather fix the process than firefight the same problem twice. A visible leader on the shop floor, the Operations Manager develops people, removes barriers to flow, and builds a culture of accountability, disciplined record-keeping, and continuous improvement.
You are
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You will
Operational Leadership
Own day-to-day delivery of production plans - safely, efficiently, and to spec.
Run daily operational reviews and coordinate priorities across Production, Engineering, Technical, Supply Chain and Customer Services.
Process production files and system data accurately and on time.
Oversee corporate customer operational processing and daily execution.
Ensure operational readiness for peak and seasonal demand.
Health, Safety & Compliance
Lead by example on safety culture; keep SOPs and Safe Working Procedures current, effective, and followed.
Coordinate retraining where standards slip.
Maintain GMP, hygiene, and food safety standards,
Own hazard reporting, risk assessment, and prompt resolution.
Manage contractor/visitor safety and Permit to Work activity with Engineering.
Lead incident investigations through to corrective action.
Operational Performance & Line Efficiency
Own line performance and throughput - speeds, pick accuracy, error rates — as core, tracked metrics, not lagging indicators.
Drive productivity and labour utilisation improvements across all operational areas.
Monitor KPIs, spot trends early, and act on them before they become problems.
Identify and remove bottlenecks through structured problem solving.
Improve warehouse layout and flow to reduce waste and travel time.
Lead implementation of new operational processes and change management.
Logistics & Warehouse
Maintain warehouse standards, cleanliness, and organisation.
Support teams with stock accuracy - counts, packaging, inventory reconciliation.
Drive pick completion, pick accuracy, and warehouse efficiency.
Manage logistics KPI reporting and compliance.
Financial & Cost Management
Own operational cost reporting and departmental budget management.
Track labour, agency, and overtime spend against plan.
Drive savings and waste-reduction initiatives.
Support capex planning and cost control decisions with data.
Engineering & Facilities
Coordinate maintenance and preventative maintenance planning with Engineering.
Support fabrication and engineering improvement projects.
Close out audit actions relating to maintenance and facilities.
Maintain site standards and operational readiness.
Quality & Technical Support
Support food safety, GMP, and quality audits, and close resulting actions.
Support fabrication, hygiene, and pest control audit actions.
Participate in food safety meetings; support OPRP reviews.
Lead operational input into foreign body investigations, traceability exercises, and mock recalls.
Continuous Improvement
Support CI activity on the floor - 5S, root cause analysis, corrective/preventative actions.
Actively hunt for improvement opportunities; treat recurring issues as a signal something's broken upstream.
Partner with the CI Lead to make improvements stick, not just land.
Promote cross-training and skills development.
People Leadership
Lead, coach, and develop operational teams.
Support recruitment, induction, and onboarding.
Build succession plans, PDPs, skills matrices, and training records.
Build a culture of accountability and high performance.
Reporting & Communication
Produce clear, accurate KPI and cost reporting.
Lead operational meetings and daily reviews.
Escalate risks early; close out audit, incident, and review actions.
Communicate clearly across Production, Engineering, Technical, Supply Chain, and Senior Leadership.
Success Measures
Safe, compliant operations with current, followed SOPs.
High line efficiency, throughput, and order accuracy — measured, not assumed.
Costs delivered in line with budget.
Strong GMP, food safety, and housekeeping standards.
Audit, maintenance, and root-cause actions closed promptly.
Continuous, measurable improvement in operational performance.
Capable, engaged, accountable teams.
Reliable execution that shows up as excellent customer service.
Why us?
- A competitive package that rewards your skills and dedication.
- Be part of a Better Business (B-Corp), making a positive impact on profit, people, and planet.
- Join an award-winning startup backed by the largest food and beverage company globally: Nestle
- Experience a workplace that feels like home, complete with free meals and a gym.
- Prioritise your well-being with perks like Vitality health insurance, access to LinkedIn Learning, mental health support, Better Up AI Coaching and a generous holiday package (30 days + bank holidays).
- Enjoy a 50% discount on all Mindful Chef products.
- Enhanced policy of up to 6 months full pay primary parental leave and up to 6 weeks full pay secondary parental leave.
About us
We are CONNECTED to each other and the world around us, championing a food system that supports both people and planetary health. Guided by our community, we value shared food memories, trust, openness, and honest relationships—staying real and true to ourselves and each other as we grow.
We are UNAFRAID. We want to be the best – to challenge conventions, to think differently and be imaginative in how we solve problems. Brave enough to take on the big players and to do what’s right even when it’s difficult.
Equal Opportunities
At Mindful Chef, we embrace diversity and inclusion as a foundation that enriches our culture and fuels the success of our business. We are mindful of everyone’s differences and we take pride in the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents that each individual brings to our team.
We are unafraid to tackle biases and challenge stereotypes, fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute their personal strengths. Our commitment to diversity is not just a policy; it's a personal and collective responsibility that we take to heart.
We believe that by being mindful of our differences, unafraid to confront barriers, and embracing the personal stories and journeys of our team members, we can achieve greater innovation, creativity, and harmony in the workplace. Together we celebrate diversity, and together, we are better.
Operations Manager in Redditch employer: Mindful Chef
At Mindful Chef, we pride ourselves on being a B-Corp that uses business as a force for good, offering a unique opportunity to work in a design-focused role that directly contributes to our mission of making a positive impact. With a flexible remote or hybrid working environment in Wandsworth, employees enjoy a supportive culture that prioritises well-being, professional growth, and community engagement, alongside perks like free meals and health insurance. Join us to craft exceptional user-centric interfaces while being part of an award-winning startup dedicated to sustainability and social responsibility.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager in Redditch
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific operational metrics and food safety standards mentioned in the job description. Understanding these will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to excellence in operations.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your experience in fast-paced fulfilment or production environments, particularly in the food industry. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've improved efficiency or reduced errors in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you motivate teams on the ground. Think of instances where you've successfully resolved issues or improved team performance, as this aligns with the role's focus on team culture.
✨Tip Number 4
Research common tools and systems used in operations management, such as WMS and order processing systems. Being knowledgeable about these tools will give you an edge and show that you're ready to hit the ground running.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager in Redditch
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in operations management, particularly in fast-paced fulfilment or production environments. Emphasise your understanding of operational metrics and food safety standards.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:In your cover letter, express your passion for operational excellence and detail how your proactive approach has led to improvements in previous roles. Mention specific examples of how you've motivated teams and resolved complex issues.
Showcase Problem-Solving Skills:Use your application to demonstrate your problem-solving abilities. Provide examples of how you've identified issues in real-time and implemented effective solutions, especially in relation to error reduction and efficiency.
Highlight Team Leadership Experience:Clearly outline your experience in leading and motivating teams. Discuss your approach to onboarding and training new team members, as well as how you foster a positive team culture in a high-standard environment.
How to prepare for a job interview at Mindful Chef
✨Showcase Your Operational Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous experience in fast-paced fulfilment or production operations, especially in the food industry. Highlight specific examples where you successfully managed workflows, reduced errors, or improved efficiency.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills
Expect to be asked about how you've handled challenges in past roles. Prepare to share real-life scenarios where you identified issues, implemented solutions, and achieved positive outcomes, particularly in a team setting.
✨Emphasise Team Leadership
Since this role involves leading teams, be ready to talk about your leadership style. Share experiences where you motivated your team, supported their development, and fostered a positive work culture, especially in high-pressure situations.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Key Metrics
Understand the operational metrics relevant to the role, such as cost per box and fulfilment costs. Be prepared to discuss how you have used data analysis tools like Google Sheets to track performance and make informed decisions.
