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- Tasks: Lead operations and drive strategic growth in a top UK food business.
- Company: Join a respected market leader in the food industry.
- Benefits: Highly competitive salary, performance bonus, and comprehensive benefits package.
- Why this job: Make a real impact at board level and shape the future of operations.
- Qualifications: Proven experience as an Operations Director in food manufacturing or complex processing.
- Other info: Opportunity for significant career advancement and to lead change across the organisation.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
This is an exceptional opportunity to join the Executive Team and Board of Directors of a highly respected, market-leading UK food business. We are seeking a visionary and results-oriented Operations Director to lead the entire operational portfolio and drive strategic long-term growth.
Reporting directly to the Managing Director, the Operations Director will represent Operations on the Board and be accountable for the safety, performance, and strategic direction of all operational aspects of the business. The core mandate includes:
- Organising and overseeing the Safety & Performance of Operations.
- Creating and delivering the Operations Long Term Growth plan.
- Ensuring the business meets current and future Commercial ambitions.
- Serving as the Ambassador for Best Available Technology, ensuring both business and people capabilities are future-proofed.
Scope of Accountability
The successful candidate will be accountable for all Operational aspects of the business, including but not limited to:
- Three manufacturing and factory operational sites.
- Health, Safety, Environment (HSE), and Transport.
- Engineering, Maintenance, Capital Projects, Site Facilities, Utilities, and Security.
Core Strategic Focus Areas
- Strategic Leadership & People Development
- Be an ambassador for Company Values, ensuring they are lived daily and embedded throughout Operations.
- Align and lead the Operational team to be engaged and high performing, delivering key KPIs that flow through to bottom line results.
- Ensure operational activities are suitably resourced, and that staff have the required competencies and are coached, mentored, and developed.
- Develop, review, and deliver positive KPI results across Productivity, Quality, Cost, Delivery, Safety, Environmental, and People development.
- Manufacturing Excellence & Continuous Improvement
- Promote manufacturing best practice and performance standards, staying updated with industry trends.
- Define site capabilities using a live capacity model based on OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) and TEEP (Total Effective Equipment Performance).
- Identify improvement areas, research new technology, and maintain a necessary Capex and Opex pipeline of improvements.
- Drive continuous improvement through expertise in methodologies including: OEE, TEEP, Root Cause Analysis, Process Mapping, De-Bottlenecking, SPC, 5S, Kaizen, and Hoshin Kanri.
- Financial & Capital Oversight
- Identify and implement cost efficiencies in conjunction with the Finance Director.
- Set and deliver the Business Unit budget in accordance with the business strategy.
- Develop requirements for Capital funding for asset replacement, production efficiency improvement, new product development, and safety/environmental compliance.
The Ideal Candidate
You are a highly experienced Operations Director (or equivalent) with proven board-level presence, ideally gained within the food manufacturing, high-care, or complex processing industries. You must have a demonstrable passion for operational excellence and a working knowledge of appropriate ISO standards (9001/14001/45001/50001). You thrive on leading change and fostering positive engagement across all functions and stakeholders.
Apply Today
For a confidential discussion about this critical Board position and to receive the full candidate pack, please submit your CV and covering letter, detailing your experience in relation to the key accountabilities, to Scott Woodrow @ Pure Executive.
Operations Director employer: Pure Resourcing Solutions
Contact Detail:
Pure Resourcing Solutions Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Director
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts and attend relevant events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that Operations Director role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their values, recent news, and challenges they face in the food industry. This will help us tailor your responses and show them you’re the perfect fit.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors. We can help you refine your answers and boost your confidence before facing the board.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always on the lookout for passionate candidates like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Operations Director role. Highlight your experience in operational excellence and board-level presence, especially in the food manufacturing sector. We want to see how your skills align with the key accountabilities mentioned in the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how you can drive strategic growth. Be sure to mention specific examples of your achievements that relate to the core strategic focus areas outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Leadership Style: As an Operations Director, your leadership style is crucial. In your application, share how you've engaged and developed teams in the past. We want to know how you align operational teams to deliver key KPIs and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. This way, we can ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to explore more about us and what we stand for!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pure Resourcing Solutions
✨Know Your Operations Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the company's operational structure and recent performance metrics. Familiarise yourself with their manufacturing processes, safety standards, and any recent news or changes in the industry. This will not only show your genuine interest but also allow you to speak confidently about how you can contribute to their operational excellence.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As an Operations Director, your leadership approach is crucial. Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading teams, driving engagement, and achieving KPIs. Be ready to discuss how you've developed talent and fostered a culture of continuous improvement in previous roles, as this aligns perfectly with their focus on people development.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Strategic Vision
The role requires a visionary mindset, so think about how you would create and deliver a long-term growth plan for operations. Prepare to articulate your strategic vision and how it aligns with the company's commercial ambitions. Use specific examples from your past experiences to illustrate your ability to drive strategic initiatives.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Given the emphasis on best available technology and methodologies like OEE and Kaizen, brush up on these concepts. Be prepared to discuss how you've implemented such practices in your previous roles and how they can be applied to enhance operational efficiency in this new position.
