Factory General Manager ( Food production ) in Ashford
Factory General Manager ( Food production )

Factory General Manager ( Food production ) in Ashford

Ashford Full-Time 60000 - 80000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
Premier Foods

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a dynamic food production site, ensuring safety and quality while driving performance.
  • Company: Join Premier Foods, home to iconic brands like Paxo and Angel Delight.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, car allowance, bonus, and generous pension contributions.
  • Other info: We value inclusion and support disability throughout our recruitment process.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a people-first culture with opportunities for growth and transformation.
  • Qualifications: Proven senior leadership experience in FMCG or manufacturing, with strong commercial skills.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 ÂŁ per year.

Established in 1957, our Ashford site is home to some of the UK's most iconic food brands, including Paxo, Batchelors, Angel Delight and Birds. Today, the site operates two highly automated manufacturing centres, producing over 300 products across 21 production lines, supported by a skilled and committed workforce of around 420 colleagues.

Following an internal promotion, we are delighted to offer the opportunity for an experienced General Manager to join our team. As Factory General Manager, you will have full accountability for the performance, safety and future success of the site. At Premier Foods, we're proud of our people‐first culture.

  • Ensuring food safety, quality and GMP standards are consistently achieved, reviewed and continuously improved.
  • Driving reductions in customer complaints and waste through effective maintenance strategies and continuous improvement.
  • Establishing robust performance review mechanisms to support delivery of objectives at site, team and individual level.
  • Owning the site talent and succession agenda, developing current and future leaders.
  • Actively fostering a culture of engagement, accountability and high performance, where people can do their best work.
  • Developing and delivering a 5‐year Factory strategy, with clear tracking and governance to ensure progress.
  • Delivering a capital investment programme that supports the long‐term vision of the site.
  • Managing relationships with Local Authorities, Regulatory Bodies and Trade Unions, delegating appropriately to site experts.
  • Taking accountability for key site decisions, including safety, quality, capital and overhead spend, senior recruitment and employee relations matters.

Significant senior operational leadership experience within FMCG or a comparable manufacturing environment.

Strong commercial capability, with experience of building and delivering robust operational budgets.

Demonstrable success in identifying and implementing manufacturing and operational improvements.

Experience of leading transformation and cultural change.

Proven project management capability across continuous improvement, operational efficiency and major capital projects.

Strong influencing and stakeholder management skills at all levels.

At Premier Foods, we believe in inclusion, authenticity and individuality. We're proud to be a Disability Smart employer and are committed to supporting disability inclusion throughout our recruitment process. If you experience any access issues or require reasonable adjustments at any stage, please let us know so we can ensure you have the support you need.

Factory General Manager ( Food production ) in Ashford employer: Premier Foods

Premier Foods is an exceptional employer, offering a people-first culture that prioritises engagement, accountability, and high performance. Located in Ashford, our site boasts a rich history and a commitment to continuous improvement, providing employees with ample opportunities for growth and development. With competitive salaries, generous benefits, and a focus on inclusion, we ensure that every team member can thrive while contributing to the success of some of the UK's most beloved food brands.
Premier Foods

Contact Detail:

Premier Foods Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Factory General Manager ( Food production ) in Ashford

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the food production industry and let them know you're on the lookout for a Factory General Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Familiarise yourself with their iconic brands and think about how your experience aligns with their values. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly understands what they’re all about.

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've driven performance and fostered a high-performance culture in previous roles. This is your chance to shine and demonstrate that you’re the right fit for their people-first approach.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Good luck!

We think you need these skills to ace Factory General Manager ( Food production ) in Ashford

Food Safety
Quality Management
GMP Standards
Continuous Improvement
Performance Review Mechanisms
Talent Development
Strategic Planning
Capital Investment Management
Stakeholder Management
Operational Leadership
Budget Management
Manufacturing Improvements
Cultural Change Leadership
Project Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Factory General Manager role. Highlight your leadership experience in FMCG and any successful projects you've led that align with our goals.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about food production and how your vision aligns with our people-first culture. Be genuine and let your personality come through.

Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your past roles, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive improvements and manage teams effectively. Numbers and results speak volumes, so don’t hold back!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!

How to prepare for a job interview at Premier Foods

✨Know Your Numbers

As a Factory General Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of operational budgets and performance metrics. Brush up on key financial figures related to food production and be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed budgets in the past.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Style

This role requires strong leadership skills, so think about examples that highlight your ability to foster a high-performance culture. Prepare to share specific instances where you've developed talent or led transformation initiatives within a team.

✨Understand Food Safety Standards

Given the importance of food safety and quality in this position, make sure you’re familiar with relevant regulations and best practices. Be prepared to discuss how you've implemented safety measures and improved compliance in previous roles.

✨Engage with Stakeholders

Effective stakeholder management is crucial for this role. Think about how you've built relationships with various stakeholders, including local authorities and trade unions. Be ready to provide examples of how you've navigated complex discussions and achieved positive outcomes.

Factory General Manager ( Food production ) in Ashford
Premier Foods
Location: Ashford

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