At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead daily operations in a fast-growing healthy food manufacturing environment.
- Company: Join a dynamic, family-owned healthy snacking brand with strong growth ambitions.
- Benefits: Opportunity for career progression and influence in a pivotal role.
- Other info: Be part of an entrepreneurial team focused on innovation and excellence.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a respected food manufacturing business.
- Qualifications: Experience in food manufacturing and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
This is not a “steady state” operations role. This is an opportunity to join a fast-growing, privately owned healthy snacking and food brand at a pivotal stage of its journey. Having successfully expanded from one manufacturing site to two, the business is now looking for an ambitious and commercially minded Head of Operations to help lead the next phase of growth. The company has built a strong reputation within the healthy food and snacking sector through quality, innovation, customer partnerships and an entrepreneurial mindset. Still family-owned, the culture is agile, hands‑on and fast paced — offering the opportunity to genuinely influence the future direction of the business.
We are looking for a leader who thrives in a growing SME environment. Someone who can combine strategic operational leadership with a visible, hands‑on presence across production, engineering, warehouse and technical functions.
The Opportunity
Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you will take full operational responsibility across the manufacturing operation, leading teams across production, engineering, warehousing and logistics. This is a key leadership appointment for the business — focused on driving operational excellence, building scalable processes, improving efficiencies, developing teams and supporting continued growth across multiple sites. You will play a central role in shaping the future capability of the operation while maintaining the high standards, agility and culture that have made the business successful.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead all day‑to‑day manufacturing and operational activity across the sites
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives across production, engineering and logistics
- Develop scalable systems, processes and operational KPIs to support future growth
- Lead, motivate and develop operational teams and future leaders
- Ensure exceptional standards across health & safety, quality, compliance and food safety
- Work closely with senior leadership on operational strategy, performance and investment
- Improve efficiencies, reduce waste and maximise productivity across the operation
- Support engineering, maintenance and capex planning to minimise downtime and increase capability
- Oversee warehousing and distribution performance to ensure customer service excellence
- Build a high‑performance culture focused on accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement
About You
We are looking for an ambitious operational leader who wants to grow with the business. You will likely come from a food manufacturing environment and have experience leading fast‑paced production operations with a strong engineering or technical appreciation. You will be:
- A hands‑on leader who enjoys being visible on the factory floor
- Commercially aware with strong operational and financial understanding
- Experienced in driving efficiencies, process improvements and team performance
- Comfortable operating within a growing SME environment where adaptability matters
- Passionate about people leadership, culture and developing teams
- Experienced within food manufacturing, ideally FMCG, snacks or healthy food production
- Knowledgeable in BRC, HACCP and operational compliance standards
- Experience with ERP systems and protein or healthy food manufacturing would be advantageous.
Why Join?
- Join an exciting and growing healthy foods brand at a critical stage of expansion
- Genuine opportunity to shape the future of the operation and business
- Work directly with an entrepreneurial leadership team
- Be part of a values‑driven, family‑owned business with strong growth ambitions
- Opportunity for long‑term progression and career growth as the business continues to scale
For ambitious operational leaders looking for more than just another factory management role, this is a chance to make a real impact within a growing and highly respected food manufacturing business.
Head of Operations in Haverhill employer: Trades Workforce Solutions
Join a dynamic and fast-growing healthy food manufacturing company that values innovation and quality, offering a unique opportunity for ambitious leaders to shape the future of operations. With a family-owned culture that promotes agility and hands-on involvement, employees benefit from a collaborative work environment, strong growth ambitions, and genuine opportunities for career progression. This is not just a job; it's a chance to make a meaningful impact in a respected brand within the healthy snacking sector.
Contact Details:
Trades Workforce Solutions Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Operations in Haverhill
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend relevant events, and engage with professionals on LinkedIn. The more people you know in the healthy food manufacturing sector, the better your chances of landing that Head of Operations role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your hands-on leadership style! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, be ready to share examples of how you've driven operational excellence and built high-performance teams. They want to see your passion for people and culture!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews by diving deep into the company’s values and recent achievements. Tailor your responses to highlight how your experience aligns with their growth ambitions and operational needs. We want to see you shine!
✨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 genuinely interested in joining our family-owned business and contributing to our exciting journey.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Operations in Haverhill
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Head of Operations role. Highlight your achievements in operational leadership, especially in food manufacturing, to show us you’re the right fit for our fast-paced environment.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re passionate about healthy food production and how your hands-on leadership style can drive our operational excellence. Be genuine and let your personality come through!
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, focus on specific examples where you've driven efficiencies or improved processes. We want to see how you’ve made a tangible impact in previous roles, especially in a growing SME setting like ours.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step!
How to prepare for a job interview at Trades Workforce Solutions
✨Know the Company Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into the company's history, values, and recent achievements. Understanding their journey in the healthy food sector will help you align your answers with their mission and demonstrate your genuine interest in being part of their growth.
✨Showcase Your Hands-On Leadership Style
As a Head of Operations, they’ll want to see your hands-on approach. Prepare examples from your past where you’ve led teams on the factory floor or implemented operational changes. Highlight how your leadership has directly contributed to efficiency and team performance.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Think about challenges you've faced in fast-paced environments and how you overcame them. This is your chance to showcase your strategic thinking and adaptability in a growing SME.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
The company values innovation and operational excellence. Be ready to discuss specific continuous improvement initiatives you've led in previous roles. Share metrics or outcomes that illustrate your impact on productivity and quality standards, especially in food manufacturing.
