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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead daily operations in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.
- Company: Join a successful and growing food manufacturer in Belfast.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible hours, and a supportive leadership team.
- Why this job: Shape operational strategy and foster a high-performance culture while driving innovation.
- Qualifications: Experience in senior operations roles within FMCG; skilled in Lean and Six Sigma.
- Other info: Ideal for resilient leaders ready to thrive in a dynamic environment.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: Belfast
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Schedule: Monday to Friday (day shift), with flexibility required
Are you a hands-on operational leader passionate about driving performance in a fast-paced manufacturing environment? We’re supporting a highly successful and growing food manufacturer in the Belfast area in their search for an ambitious Head of Operations to help take their business to the next level. This is a senior leadership opportunity for someone who thrives on challenge, brings a “can-do” mindset, and has a track record of delivering results across productivity, people, and compliance.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead day-to-day operations across production, planning, and support teams
- Drive operational efficiency using Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies
- Implement systems and processes that enhance capacity, quality, and compliance
- Develop and execute strategic plans to align with wider business objectives
- Create a high-performance culture that empowers and develops the team
- Oversee KPIs, budgets, and cost-control initiatives with a focus on measurable financial impact
- Ensure full compliance with health & safety, food safety, and customer standards
- Collaborate cross-functionally to streamline workflows and reduce waste
- Lead operational readiness for new projects, products, or capacity expansions
Ideal Candidate Profile:
- Proven experience in a senior operations or production leadership role within FMCG or food manufacturing
- Strong leadership and people development skills with a track record of building successful teams
- Skilled in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other CI methodologies (certification desirable)
- Strategic thinker with hands-on experience implementing systems and scalable processes
- Commercially aware, with experience driving financial improvements in operational performance
- Sound understanding of compliance, health & safety, and BRC/retailer standards
- Resilient, adaptable, and able to thrive in a high-growth, fast-moving environment
What’s on Offer:
- Competitive salary and benefits
- Opportunity to shape and lead operational strategy
- Supportive leadership team with a strong performance culture
- A business committed to innovation, quality, and growth
Head Of Operations employer: Protea Recruitment LTD
Contact Detail:
Protea Recruitment LTD Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Of Operations
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the FMCG and food manufacturing sectors. Attend industry events, join relevant LinkedIn groups, and connect with current or former employees of the company to gain insights and potentially get a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with Lean and Six Sigma methodologies if you haven't already. Consider taking a short course or certification to demonstrate your commitment to continuous improvement, which is crucial for this role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've driven operational efficiency and improved team performance in previous roles. Use metrics and KPIs to showcase your impact and align your experiences with the job requirements.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the company's culture and values thoroughly. Be ready to articulate how your leadership style and vision align with their goals, especially regarding innovation, quality, and growth, to make a strong impression during interviews.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Of Operations
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in operations and leadership within the FMCG or food manufacturing sector. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to drive performance and implement systems.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for operational leadership and how your skills align with the company's goals. Mention your experience with Lean and Six Sigma methodologies, and how you've successfully led teams in the past.
Highlight Key Achievements: When detailing your work history, focus on quantifiable achievements. For instance, mention any improvements in productivity, cost savings, or compliance standards you have achieved in previous roles.
Showcase Leadership Skills: Emphasise your leadership style and people development skills. Provide examples of how you've built high-performance teams and fostered a culture of continuous improvement in your previous positions.
How to prepare for a job interview at Protea Recruitment LTD
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
As a Head of Operations, your leadership skills are crucial. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, particularly in FMCG or food manufacturing environments. Highlight your ability to develop and empower team members.
✨Demonstrate Your Knowledge of CI Methodologies
Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies is essential for this role. Be ready to explain how you've applied these principles in previous positions to drive operational efficiency and improve processes.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
The interview will likely involve discussions about strategic planning and aligning operations with business objectives. Think about how you've developed and executed strategic plans in the past, and be ready to share your insights on aligning operational goals with broader company aims.
✨Understand Compliance and Safety Standards
Given the importance of compliance in the food manufacturing sector, ensure you can articulate your understanding of health & safety, food safety, and relevant standards. Prepare to discuss how you've ensured compliance in your previous roles and the impact it had on operations.
