Operations Manager in Batley

Company Description

We are FBC UK, Fox's Burton's Companies! We bake the UK's most incredible biscuits. FBC UK was a match made in heaven, with two of the top UK biscuits manufacturers (Burton's Biscuits and Fox's Biscuits) coming together to create one unique, integrated company. We are home to famous iconic brands, including Maryland, Fox's, Jammie Dodger & Rocky, to name just a few. We are proud manufacturing partners to some of the biggest UK retailers and household names. We bake our incredible biscuits at eight bakeries across the UK, located at Isle of Arran, Livingston, Blackpool, Llantarnam, Edinburgh, Kirkham, Batley & Dorset and our HQ in St Pauls. Together, we employ circa 4,000 amazing colleagues across all our locations. We are currently the second biscuit manufacturer in the UK market with a strong ambition of becoming UK Market Leader.

We need people with innovative ideas, an entrepreneurial spirit, and the commitment to drive FBC UK to success. We are committed to building an inclusive workforce that feels empowered to build a fulfilling and successful career. By embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) we create a supportive environment for people to thrive and strive to have more positive impact. We understand that having formal and on-the-job learning opportunities is key to our colleagues’ professional and personal growth. Our colleagues make our business special. With strong community values, we believe FBC UK is a more prosperous and fun place to work when people feel free to be themselves.

About The Role

As the Operations Manager at our Batley bakery, you will play a pivotal role in leading and coordinating the day-to-day activities of our production facilities. You’ll ensure that manufacturing operations run efficiently, safely, and to the highest quality standards. In this key leadership position, you will manage and develop a diverse team, optimise workflows across the site, and work closely with the General Manager to implement strategic initiatives that drive operational excellence. Your focus will be on improving performance, enhancing productivity, and supporting the delivery of core business objectives.

Main Responsibilities

• Collaborate with senior management to develop and execute strategic plans and initiatives aligned with site goals and wider business objectives.
• Provide insight and recommendations to shape operational strategies that drive growth, efficiency, and profitability.
• Continuously evaluate and improve processes to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and increase productivity, applying Lean Manufacturing techniques and leading cross-functional root cause analysis activities.
• Identify opportunities for innovation and implement new technologies or methodologies that optimise operational performance.
• Act as the key conduit for all site-wide projects, ensuring robust management through the gate process.
• Develop and manage the operations budget, monitor expenditure, and identify opportunities for cost savings.
• Champion the company values by fostering a culture of innovation, encouraging teams to contribute ideas, and supporting continuous business improvement.
• Provide strong, visible leadership on the factory floor to promote accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement across the operations team.
• Coach, mentor, and develop direct reports, ensuring they have the capability and confidence to lead effectively within the operations function.
• Ensure a safe working environment by maintaining compliance with all health and safety regulations and promoting best practice across the site.
• Lead the Site Operations Leads in the ongoing development of the FBC UK Ltd production system to maximise performance across all operational metrics.
• Support and coordinate budget objectives (labour, energy, maintenance, investments) for the production unit, working closely with relevant functions to deliver targets.

Who We Are Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Engineering, or a related discipline; a master’s degree is preferred.
• Formal qualifications or substantial experience in continuous improvement, with strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar CI frameworks.
• Extensive, proven experience in a senior leadership role within a manufacturing environment.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills, with the ability to influence and engage at all levels.
• Highly visible and hands-on within the factory, driving performance and supporting teams across all shifts.
• Strong capability in leading structured operational reviews at daily, weekly, and monthly intervals.
• Demonstrated control over training, cleaning, and overtime costs, with the ability to balance FTE and agency labour to create flexibility for seasonal and demand changes.
• A credible and inspiring leader who operates with optimism, resilience, and a strong sense of personal, team, and organisational accountability.
• Proven ability to lead and support cross-functional teams, driving continuous improvement and delivering measurable results.
• Food safety certifications (e.g., HACCP, SQF, GMP) are highly desirable.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification is highly desirable.

Diversity Statement

FBC UK is committed to building a diverse and inclusive culture in which all employees feel welcomed and appreciated and have the same opportunities. We believe all of our people are equally talented in their own way. In nurturing the curiosity and natural abilities of our employees, we provide them, generation after generation, the means to succeed personally and professionally, enabling them to craft their journey at FBC UK. The diversity of our talents is what makes our work environment multicultural, innovative and highly rewarding.