At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead our Spalding site, driving operational excellence and team performance.
- Company: Join Pilgrim's Europe, a leading food manufacturing business with iconic brands.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, pension scheme, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Collaborative culture focused on safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a major operation while influencing business strategy.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in food manufacturing and strong stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Location: Spalding, Lincolnshire
Division: Fresh Pork
Leadership Level: Director
Lead One of Our Key Manufacturing Operations!
At Pilgrim's Europe, we're looking for an exceptional Site Director to lead our Spalding operation and play a pivotal role in delivering our strategic, operational, and commercial objectives. This is a high-profile leadership opportunity for an experienced manufacturing leader with a proven track record of driving operational excellence, building high-performing teams, delivering financial performance, and maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality, and customer service.
As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will have full accountability for site performance, profitability, culture, and continuous improvement, ensuring the site remains industry-leading in efficiency, quality, and customer satisfaction.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for the Spalding site.
- Own site Health & Safety, ensuring a culture where safety is always the number one priority.
- Deliver operational excellence through Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement initiatives.
- Drive site profitability through effective cost control, labour optimisation, yield improvement, and operational efficiency.
- Lead and develop a high-performing site leadership team, creating robust succession and talent development plans.
- Ensure compliance with all food safety, quality, environmental, legal, and customer requirements.
- Develop and execute site strategies aligned with wider Group objectives.
- Manage significant site budgets, capital investments, and resource planning.
- Build strong relationships with customers, suppliers, regulatory bodies, and key stakeholders.
- Champion innovation, growth opportunities, and operational improvements across the business.
- Represent Pilgrim's Europe within the local community and industry.
About You
We're looking for a proven senior leader with experience operating in a large-scale manufacturing or food production environment.
Essential Experience
- Senior leadership experience within food manufacturing, FMCG, or a complex fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Demonstrable responsibility for full site operations and P&L performance.
- Strong experience leading large, multi-disciplinary teams.
- Proven track record of delivering operational excellence and continuous improvement programmes.
- Significant experience managing Health & Safety, Quality, Technical, and Operational standards.
- Strong commercial and financial acumen.
- Experience driving cultural change and embedding high-performance behaviours.
- Excellent stakeholder management and customer relationship skills.
Desirable
- Degree qualified.
- Lean, Six Sigma, Operational Excellence, or Continuous Improvement qualifications.
- NEBOSH, IOSH, HACCP, Food Safety, or relevant manufacturing qualifications.
- Experience within the meat, food manufacturing, or FMCG sectors.
Why Join Pilgrim's Europe?
As Site Director, you'll have the opportunity to shape the future of a major manufacturing operation while joining one of Europe's leading food businesses.
What We Offer
- Competitive executive salary and benefits package.
- Generous holiday allowance.
- Pension scheme.
- Life Assurance.
- Employee discounts and lifestyle benefits.
- Opportunities for ongoing leadership development.
- The chance to influence business strategy at Senior Leadership Team level.
- A collaborative culture focused on safety, quality, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Our Values
Everything we do is guided by our values:
- Determination - Delivering results and never giving up.
- Simplicity - Keeping things practical and focused.
- Availability - Being open, responsive, and ready to support others.
- Humility - Listening, learning, and valuing teamwork.
- Sincerity - Acting with honesty, transparency, and respect.
- Discipline - Following through on commitments and delivering excellence.
- Ownership - Taking responsibility and driving continuous improvement.
If you're an inspiring operational leader looking to make a significant impact within a market-leading food manufacturing business, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today and help shape the future of Pilgrim's Europe.
Site Director in Spalding employer: Pilgrims Europe
At Pilgrim's Europe, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a collaborative and supportive work culture that prioritises food safety and quality excellence. Our team in Attleborough benefits from continuous professional development opportunities, competitive remuneration, and a commitment to innovation in food safety practices, making it a rewarding place to grow your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Site Director in Spalding
✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups
Getting involved in local manufacturing groups or associations can seriously boost your visibility. These groups often have insider info on job openings and networking events, plus they help you connect with like-minded folks in the industry. Check out what's happening in your area!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Practical Spaces
Consider participating in workshops or open days at manufacturing companies. It's a great way to show off your hands-on skills in a real-world environment and can sometimes lead to job offers right on the spot. Keep an eye on announcements from local manufacturers for these opportunities!
✨Leverage the Power of Internships
While you're looking for full-time positions, don't underestimate the power of internships! Even if you don't see a direct role, securing an internship at a company can open doors to future jobs. Many manufacturing firms prefer to hire from their intern pool, so it's definitely worth considering.
✨Apply Directly Through Company Websites
When you find a role at a company you love, like Pilgrims Europe, apply directly on their website. This way, you’re more likely to be noticed by the hiring team. Plus, showing that you took the time to seek out their application process highlights your genuine interest in the firm!
We think you need these skills to ace Site Director in Spalding
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to Pilgrims Europe specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pilgrims Europe
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with Pilgrims Europe, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like Pilgrims Europe value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
