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- Tasks: Lead a high-volume food manufacturing operation, ensuring quality and compliance.
- Company: Taiko, the UK's leading sushi manufacturer with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, strategic influence, and leadership opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of food manufacturing while driving growth and excellence.
- Qualifications: 15-20 years in food manufacturing with proven leadership and operational expertise.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team committed to quality and continuous improvement.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 150000 ÂŁ per year.
Head Office - Taiko Acton
Contract: Full Time
Salary: Competitive
Contracted Hours: 40
Established in 1997 as the first manufacturer of sushi for the UK supermarket industry, Taiko has evolved into the most innovative manufacturer of Sushi, Food To Go, Prepared Meals and Snacking products in the UK, supplying Waitrose, Tesco and Sainsbury’s to name a few. Over the past 25 years Taiko has launched more first-to-market Sushi and Food to Go products than any other sushi manufacturer in the UK.
Qualifications
- 15–20 years’ experience in a food manufacturing environment
- Proven leadership in a high-care production environment
- Strong operational expertise with Lean Six Sigma, Kaizen, or similar continuous improvement methodologies
- Demonstrable track record of growing and leading profitable businesses supplying major grocery retailers
- Full P&L Ownership Experience (essential)
- Deep understanding of UK food safety standards, HACCP, and HSE compliance
- Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders, boards, and external partners
- Strong leadership experience in building teams and shaping organisational culture
Role Overview
We are seeking an experienced and commercially driven Managing Director to take full P&L accountability for a high-volume chilled food manufacturing operation in the UK. This is a pivotal leadership role responsible for translating commercial retail contracts into operational reality—ensuring every product is manufactured safely, legally, and profitably within a 24/7 “fresh‑to‑order” production environment. You will lead a complex, multi‑site operation supplying major UK grocery retailers, maintaining exceptional service levels (99%+) while balancing the stringent hygiene, compliance, and quality requirements of high‑care food manufacturing. Operating within a matrix structure, this role requires strong cross‑functional collaboration across commercial, operations, engineering, supply chain, and quality teams.
Key Accountabilities
- Develop and execute the UK&I business strategy in collaboration with the leadership team
- Anticipate operational and commercial challenges 6–12 months ahead and proactively implement mitigation and growth strategies
- Lead daily production operations to achieve >99% On‑Time In‑Full (OTIF) delivery in a fast‑paced environment
- Ensure compliance with BRCGS Global Standards, embedding a “Gold Standard” food safety and quality culture
- Manage multimillion‑pound budgets, ensuring COGS, labour, and overheads meet targets while driving continuous improvement
- Oversee production planning and scheduling to maximise throughput and meet demanding delivery windows
- Drive cross‑functional alignment to ensure successful new product development and on‑time launches
- Build and lead a high‑performing engineering function to ensure high uptime
Best Things About the Role
- Strategic influence – Work closely with the CEO and senior leadership team on high‑impact initiatives, leading strategy from concept through to execution.
- People leadership – Shape, develop, and scale high‑performing teams while embedding a strong organisational culture.
- Full accountability – Own the end‑to‑end P&L for a high‑volume, multi‑factory manufacturing business.
Managing Director - Pre Pack in Acton employer: The Wonderfield Group
Contact Detail:
The Wonderfield Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Managing Director - Pre Pack in Acton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the lookout for a Managing Director role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of food safety standards and operational excellence. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with Taiko's commitment to quality and compliance in a high-care production environment.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight your track record in building teams and shaping organisational culture. They’ll want to see how you can lead a high-performing operation.
✨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 and engaged in their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Managing Director - Pre Pack in Acton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Managing Director. Highlight your experience in food manufacturing and leadership, especially any achievements that align with the job description. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've successfully led teams and managed P&L in previous positions. We love a good story!
Showcase Your Leadership Style: In your application, let us know about your leadership approach. How do you build high-performing teams? What strategies do you use to foster a strong organisational culture? We’re keen to understand how you lead and inspire others.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Wonderfield Group
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Managing Director, you'll need to demonstrate your full P&L ownership experience. Brush up on your financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've managed budgets in the past. Be specific about your achievements in driving profitability and reducing costs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role requires strong leadership skills, so think about examples that highlight your ability to build and lead high-performing teams. Prepare stories that illustrate how you've shaped organisational culture and influenced senior stakeholders in previous roles.
✨Understand the Industry Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in food manufacturing, especially in sushi and prepared meals. Be prepared to discuss how you can leverage your operational expertise to tackle challenges and drive growth in a competitive market.
✨Emphasise Compliance Knowledge
Given the importance of food safety standards, make sure you can speak confidently about your understanding of HACCP, BRCGS Global Standards, and HSE compliance. Share examples of how you've implemented these standards in your previous roles to ensure product safety and quality.