At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team in transforming food manufacturing operations and driving excellence.
- Company: Valeo Foods UK, home to beloved brands like Kettle and Rowse.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and a vibrant workplace culture.
- Other info: Join us at a pivotal moment for exciting growth and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on iconic brands while shaping the future of food.
- Qualifications: Experience in FMCG operations and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
At Valeo Foods UK we bring together a family of much-loved UK food brands supported by the scale and ambition of a global investment partner. From Kettle’s bold crunch to Rowse’s natural sweetness, through to Matthew Walker and Barratt Sweets, our portfolio blends heritage, craft and category-leading innovation. Alongside our branded portfolio, we are also one of the UK’s largest suppliers of private label products, partnering with major retailers to deliver quality and category expertise that meets the needs of millions of households every week.
As a business, we’re on a journey of transformation. We’re strengthening our operations, driving quality and investing in our people. It’s an exciting, fast-moving environment where heritage meets new thinking, and where every colleague contributes to shaping the future of food across the UK.
Gateshead isn’t just the home of Manomasa tortillas, it’s a flagship Valeo Foods UK site with a deeply engaged workforce, and ambitious plans for future growth and investment. As we enter a pivotal phase of transformation and operational excellence, we’re looking for a Factory General Manager to lead the site with confidence, clarity and commercial strength.
This is a role with real breadth and visibility. As Site Leader, you’ll have full accountability for performance across Safety, Quality, Cost, Service and People, leading a multi-disciplined team spanning Production, Engineering, Technical, HSE and Warehouse. Working closely with central and category teams, you’ll ensure the site delivers today while building capability for the future. Above all, you’ll set the tone, shaping culture, developing leaders and ensuring Gateshead remains a great place to work.
You’ll take ownership of budgets and financial performance, driving cost control, efficiency improvement and loss reduction while maintaining strong, credible relationships with our UK retail and branded customers. Quality and service are non-negotiable: the Manomasa brand is bold, differentiated and loved by consumers, and our customers rely on us for consistency, reliability and innovation. Your leadership will ensure those standards are met every day.
At its heart, this role is about people. Gateshead has a proud, committed workforce, and your leadership will shape their experience. You’ll strengthen engagement and communication across the site, build succession and talent plans, and embed a culture where continuous improvement, ownership and accountability feel natural.
This is a complex, fast-moving FMCG operation, so you’ll be highly comfortable operating at scale within food manufacturing, with strong operational and commercial grounding and the confidence to lead multifunctional teams in a high-performance environment. With further investment on the horizon, you’ll play a key role in leading change ensuring initiatives land well, deliver value and strengthen the long-term capability of the factory.
This is a rare opportunity to lead a high-profile, high-potential site at an exciting point in its journey. If you’re motivated by operational excellence, energised by transformation, and passionate about leading large, diverse teams, Gateshead offers a genuine platform to make a lasting impact within Valeo Foods UK.
Factory General Manager in Gateshead employer: Valeo Foods Group
Valeo Foods UK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Gateshead where innovation meets tradition. With a strong focus on employee development and engagement, we provide ample opportunities for growth while fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. Join us to be part of a transformative journey that not only shapes the future of beloved food brands but also enhances your career in a supportive and ambitious setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Factory General Manager in Gateshead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with current employees at Valeo Foods UK. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Valeo Foods UK and its brands. Understand their values and recent developments. This will help you tailor your answers and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of their transformation journey.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss how you've successfully led teams in the past, especially in fast-paced environments. Use specific examples to demonstrate your ability to drive performance and foster a positive culture.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining Valeo Foods UK and contributing to their exciting future.
We think you need these skills to ace Factory General Manager in Gateshead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the food industry shine through. We want to see how your passion aligns with our mission at Valeo Foods UK and how you can contribute to our exciting journey of transformation.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Factory General Manager role. Highlight your experience in FMCG operations and leadership skills that demonstrate your ability to manage multifunctional teams effectively. We love seeing relevant examples!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description. We appreciate a personal touch!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this fantastic opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Valeo Foods Group
✨Know the Company Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into Valeo Foods UK. Familiarise yourself with their brands, values, and recent news. Understanding their journey of transformation will help you align your answers with their goals and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their future.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Factory General Manager, your leadership approach is crucial. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led diverse teams in the past. Highlight your ability to foster engagement and communication, as well as how you've driven operational excellence in previous roles.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities. Think of specific scenarios where you've improved efficiency or managed change effectively. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses clearly.
✨Emphasise Your Financial Acumen
Since you'll be accountable for budgets and financial performance, be ready to discuss your experience with cost control and efficiency improvements. Bring examples of how you've managed financial metrics in previous roles, demonstrating your commercial grounding and strategic thinking.
