At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic food production facility and drive operational excellence.
- Company: Rapidly growing FMCG organisation in North West London.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonus, Bupa healthcare, and free food on shift.
- Other info: Join a passionate team focused on quality and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Take ownership of a fast-paced environment and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in food manufacturing and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 60000 £ per year.
Our client, a rapidly growing organisation within the FMCG food manufacturing and distribution sector, is seeking an experienced and commercially driven Operations Manager to lead a large-scale production operation based in North West London. This is an outstanding opportunity for a highly organised operational leader to take ownership of a fast-paced, multi-shift food production facility supplying retail, wholesale, and B2B customers. Offering a salary of circa £60,000 per annum, this role is ideal for an experienced operations professional with a strong background in central production units, food manufacturing, or large-scale production kitchens.
Job Role
Reporting to the Operations Director, the Central Kitchen Operations Manager will take full responsibility for the day-to-day running of a high-volume production facility, overseeing production, dispatch, compliance, team leadership, and continuous improvement activities. Managing a large multi-shift team, you will ensure products are produced safely, efficiently, and to the highest quality standards while maintaining operational performance, food safety compliance, and financial targets.
Responsibilities
- Lead and develop Production Managers, Supervisors, Dispatch teams, and Production Operatives across day and night shifts.
- Oversee all production planning, staffing allocation, and operational workflow activities.
- Ensure products are manufactured to specification, maintaining quality, portion control, packaging, and allergen compliance standards.
- Manage daily dispatch operations, ensuring orders are fulfilled accurately and delivered on time.
- Maintain compliance with SALSA/BRC, HACCP, traceability, and food safety standards at all times.
- Oversee all production records, temperature monitoring, batch traceability, and audit documentation.
- Ensure equipment maintenance, cleaning schedules, and operational standards are consistently maintained.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, waste reduction, and operational performance.
- Take ownership of the operational P&L, managing labour, waste, purchasing, and overhead costs.
- Produce and analyse operational and financial reports to support business performance.
- Manage supplier relationships and challenge performance where necessary.
- Lead operational improvement and infrastructure projects, including automation and process optimisation initiatives.
- Work closely with Supply Chain, Finance, Retail Operations, and Product Development teams to support business growth and operational scalability.
Personal Profile
- Significant experience within a Central Kitchen, CPU, food manufacturing, or large-scale food production environment.
- Previous experience operating at Operations Manager level or similar senior leadership role.
- Strong working knowledge of SALSA/BRC, HACCP, food safety, and traceability systems.
- Proven experience managing large teams across multiple shifts, including night operations.
- Strong financial and commercial awareness with experience managing operational budgets and KPIs.
- Excellent organisational and leadership skills with the ability to drive high performance.
- Experience implementing SOPs, operational workflows, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Calm and solutions-focused approach within fast-paced operational environments.
- Passionate about operational excellence, quality, and team development.
Benefits
- Discretionary performance based bonus
- Bupa healthcare
- Free food and drink on shift
Operations Manager employer: The People Co
Join a dynamic and rapidly growing organisation in the FMCG food manufacturing sector, where you will thrive in a supportive work culture that prioritises operational excellence and team development. With competitive benefits including a discretionary performance-based bonus, Bupa healthcare, and complimentary food and drink on shift, this role offers not only a rewarding salary but also ample opportunities for personal and professional growth in a fast-paced environment. Located in North West London, you will lead a dedicated multi-shift team, ensuring high-quality production while driving continuous improvement initiatives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend local FMCG events. 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 operations. Understand their production processes and compliance standards, so you can showcase your knowledge and how you can contribute to their success.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! Be ready to share examples of how you've led teams, improved processes, and tackled challenges in previous roles. This will help you stand out as a strong candidate for the Operations Manager position.
✨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 are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Operations Manager role. Highlight your experience in food manufacturing and large-scale production kitchens, as well as any relevant leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your background aligns with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about operational excellence and how your skills can contribute to our fast-paced environment. Be sure to mention specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to lead teams and drive improvements.
Showcase Your Compliance Knowledge:Since compliance is key in our industry, make sure to highlight your knowledge of SALSA/BRC, HACCP, and food safety standards in your application. We want to know how you've maintained these standards in previous roles and how you plan to uphold them with us.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you're keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at The People Co
✨Know Your Operations Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of food manufacturing processes and compliance standards like SALSA and HACCP. Being able to discuss specific examples from your past experience will show that you’re not just familiar with the theory, but you’ve actually put it into practice.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare to talk about how you've successfully led large teams in a fast-paced environment. Think of specific challenges you faced and how you motivated your team to overcome them. This will demonstrate your ability to manage multi-shift operations effectively.
✨Be Ready for Financial Discussions
Since the role involves managing operational budgets and KPIs, be prepared to discuss your experience with financial management. Bring examples of how you’ve driven cost efficiencies or improved profitability in previous roles to the table.
✨Highlight Continuous Improvement Initiatives
Think about times when you’ve implemented process improvements or optimised workflows. Be ready to share these stories, as they’ll illustrate your commitment to operational excellence and your proactive approach to problem-solving.
