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- Tasks: Lead operations at our Andover Lamb site, driving performance and safety.
- Company: Join Pilgrim's Europe, a values-led international food business.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension scheme, life assurance, and ongoing training.
- Why this job: Shape performance and culture in a senior leadership role with real influence.
- Qualifications: Experience in FMCG operations and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Opportunity for career development and internal progression in a dynamic environment.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: Andover
Business: Pilgrim's Europe – Lamb Division
Reporting to: Division Lead – Lamb
Direct Reports: 6+ managers and wider operational teams
The Opportunity
Pilgrim's Europe is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead our Andover Lamb site, driving performance across production, engineering and despatch while embedding a culture of safety, quality and continuous improvement. This is a senior leadership role with full accountability for operational delivery, people leadership and site financial performance. You'll work closely with cross-functional teams across the Pilgrim's Group to ensure alignment with wider business, category and group strategies.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead all site operations to deliver productivity, efficiency, quality and financial targets
- Act as a core member of the Site Senior Leadership Team, delivering KPIs hourly, daily and weekly
- Drive a strong Health & Safety culture, ensuring “Safety is a Condition”
- Champion Quality and Food Safety, ensuring the site is always audit-ready
- Own site P&L, budgets, labour planning, yield performance and cost control
- Strategically plan resources and capacity to maximise output and efficiency
- Coach, mentor and develop managers and teams to build capability and engagement
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives including 5S and Operational Excellence
- Manage customer relationships, site visits and external audits (BRC, SMETA, customer audits)
- Ensure full compliance with legal, ethical, environmental and food safety standards
- Work collaboratively with HR, Finance, Engineering, Technical, Sales and Supply Chain teams
About You
You’ll be a confident, visible leader who takes ownership, leads by example and thrives in a fast-paced FMCG environment. Proven experience in FMCG manufacturing operations (meat industry experience advantageous). Strong track record of delivering KPIs, margins and continuous improvement. Solid understanding of manufacturing efficiency, labour modelling and cost control. Experience leading large, multi-layered operational teams. Ability to operate effectively under pressure in a changing environment. Strong coaching and people development capability. Experience with CI tools such as 5S and change management programmes.
Qualifications (or equivalent experience):
- Food Safety
- IOSH Managing Safely
- HACCP / TACCP
Why Work at Pilgrim's Europe?
- A senior leadership role with real autonomy and influence
- Opportunity to shape performance and culture at a key operational site
- Part of a growing, values-led international food business
- Strong focus on career development and internal progression
- Competitive salary
- Benefits package including: Pension scheme, Life assurance, Employee assistance programme, Discount and wellbeing schemes, Ongoing training and leadership development
Ready to make an impact? If you're a driven operations leader who thrives on accountability, values high standards and wants the opportunity to shape performance at site level, we'd love to hear from you. Join Pilgrim's Europe and play for a key role in delivering safe, high-quality food while developing high-performing teams in a business where ownership, improvement and leadership truly matter. Apply now and take the next step in your leadership career with Pilgrim's Europe!
Operations Manager in Andover employer: Pilgrims Europe
Contact Detail:
Pilgrims Europe Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager in Andover
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the hunt for an Operations Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand Pilgrim's Europe’s values and how they align with your own. This will help you showcase why you’re the perfect fit for their team during those crucial conversations.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've driven performance, improved safety, or led teams in previous roles. This will demonstrate your capability and confidence as a leader in a fast-paced environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Pilgrim's Europe family. Let’s get you that Operations Manager role!
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager in Andover
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Operations Manager role. Highlight your experience in FMCG manufacturing and any specific achievements that align with the job description. We want to see how you can drive performance and lead teams!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share your leadership style and how you've successfully implemented continuous improvement initiatives in the past. We love a good story!
Showcase Your Achievements: When filling out your application, don’t just list your responsibilities. Instead, showcase your achievements with quantifiable results. Did you improve efficiency or reduce costs? Let us know how you made an impact in your previous roles!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Pilgrim's Europe!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pilgrims Europe
✨Know Your Numbers
As an Operations Manager, you'll need to demonstrate a solid grasp of KPIs and financial metrics. Brush up on your understanding of P&L statements, budgets, and cost control measures. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed these in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role requires strong people leadership skills. Prepare examples that highlight your coaching and mentoring abilities. Think about specific instances where you’ve developed teams or improved engagement, and be ready to share those stories.
✨Emphasise Safety and Quality
Safety and quality are paramount in this industry. Familiarise yourself with relevant safety standards and quality assurance processes. Be prepared to discuss how you've championed a safety culture and ensured compliance in past positions.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills in a fast-paced environment. Think through potential challenges you might face at Pilgrim's Europe and how you would address them, particularly around continuous improvement and operational efficiency.
