At a Glance
- Tasks: Gain hands-on experience in food production and operations management while supporting daily facility activities.
- Company: Join a growing food production business focused on developing future operational leaders.
- Benefits: Negotiable salary, structured development, direct exposure to leadership, and long-term career progression.
- Other info: Access to transport required; flexible working hours with opportunities for continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Kickstart your career in operations management with real impact in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading teams, strong communication skills, and a proactive attitude.
The predicted salary is between 27000 - 33000 £ per year.
Vickerstock are partnering an established and growing food production business who are seeking to appoint an ambitious Senior Production Manager/Trainee Operations Manager to join its leadership team. This is an excellent opportunity for an individual looking to develop a long-term career in operations management within a fast-paced food production environment.
Working closely with senior management, you will gain exposure to all aspects of production, packing, quality, compliance and people management, with a structured pathway towards increased operational responsibility. This role has been designed to develop future operational leaders. You will work alongside experienced managers to gain a detailed understanding of production processes, customer requirements and operational excellence while building the leadership skills required to progress within the business.
What's on offer:
- Salary: negotiable depending on experience
- Day shift working pattern, Monday to Friday, 7:00am - 4:30pm, every other Sat 7.00am-11.15am (1/2 day off in lieu)
- A structured development opportunity within a growing business
- Direct exposure to senior leadership and operational decision-making
- Long-term career progression opportunities
- Hands-on experience across production, quality, compliance and people management
- The opportunity to develop into a future operational leadership position
Your day to day:
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of production and packing operations within a fast-paced food manufacturing environment
- Support the day-to-day running of the facility, ensuring production plans are delivered efficiently and effectively
- Monitor operational performance, identifying opportunities to improve productivity, quality and output
- Promote high standards of hygiene, housekeeping and operational best practice across the site
- Assist with workforce planning and resource allocation to meet changing production demands
- Help ensure compliance with food safety, customer, audit and industry standards at all times
- Maintain accurate production, quality and operational records to support compliance and traceability requirements
- Support the safe operation of equipment, reporting maintenance issues and helping minimise downtime
- Work closely with Supervisors, Team Leaders and Management to deliver daily operational objectives
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing efficiency, reducing waste and improving overall site performance
Your essential ingredients:
- Previous experience leading teams within a fast-paced production environment
- Strong organisational, planning and problem-solving abilities
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- A proactive attitude and willingness to learn
- Commercial awareness and an interest in food production, agriculture or manufacturing
- The ability to build positive working relationships across all levels of the business
- Access to your own transport and availability to commence work from 6:30am
And even better if you have (although not a deal breaker):
- Qualification in Agriculture, Food Production, Operations Management or a related discipline
- Level 3 Food Hygiene/Health & Safety qualification
- Forklift licence
- Experience within agricultural operations, farm management or food production environments
- Knowledge of food safety systems, industry accreditation standards including BRC and Red Tractor
Your next step... To find out more about this opportunity and a more detailed job description alongside responsibilities and requirements contact Anna in complete confidence.
If this opportunity doesn't quite hit the mark, let's get a chat and see how I can help grow your career.
PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR A FULL LIST OF OUR CURRENT VACANCIES.
(Trainee) Operations Manager in Newtownards employer: Vickerstock
Join a leading engineering and manufacturing specialist in County Louth, where your role as an HR Business Partner will be pivotal in driving operational growth and fostering a collaborative culture. With a strong commitment to employee development and wellbeing, the company offers excellent career progression opportunities, a supportive team environment, and a range of benefits including a competitive pension scheme and enhanced annual leave. Experience a positive workplace culture that values innovation and teamwork while making a meaningful impact across multiple sites.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land (Trainee) Operations Manager in Newtownards
✨Get Hands-On at Local Events
Dive into food fairs, science expos, and industry conferences in your area. These are great places to meet potential employers face-to-face and get a feel for the latest trends in food science and technology. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Vickerstock!
✨Join Food Technology Communities
Get involved in online forums and local groups focusing on food science. Participating in discussions on platforms like LinkedIn or Reddit can showcase your passion, help you learn, and make useful connections. The more visible you are, the more likely someone from Vickerstock or elsewhere will take notice.
✨Internship-Specific Networking
As a trainee, you should tap into your university's career services and alumni network. They often have partnerships with companies like Vickerstock, and can help you find internship programmes or summer placements that aren’t publicly advertised.
✨Show Off Your Skills Online
Create a blog or social media account where you share insights about food science trends or experiment results. This not only showcases your expertise but also helps you build a personal brand that might catch the eyes of recruiters, including those from Vickerstock. Don’t forget to link back to your application on our website!
We think you need these skills to ace (Trainee) Operations Manager in Newtownards
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Passion for Food Science:When crafting your application, let your enthusiasm for food science and technology shine through! Share any relevant projects or coursework you've undertaken, and don't hesitate to mention your favourite aspects of food innovation in your cover letter. We love to see candidates who are excited about what we do at Vickerstock.
Your CV Should Taste Like Success:For a trainee role in food science, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience, even if it's from coursework or internships. Include any lab work, research projects, or experience with food preparation techniques, as these will show us you're ready to dive into the practical side of things.
Certificates and Awards Matter:If you've earned any certificates related to food safety, quality control, or even relevant courses, don't forget to include them! They’re a great way to showcase your commitment and knowledge in food science and technology, which can set you apart from other applicants.
Tailor Your Motivation:In your cover letter, connect your motivation directly to what Vickerstock does. Discuss how this trainee position aligns with your career goals and what you hope to learn and contribute. We’re looking for a fresh perspective from someone eager to develop their skills in our innovative environment!
How to prepare for a job interview at Vickerstock
✨Know Your Food Science Basics
Brush up on key concepts in food science and technology, like food safety, preservation methods, and nutrition. We want to be able to discuss their applications in a real-world context — show Vickerstock you're not just book-smart but also understand how it relates to their products!
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Expect some practical questions or scenarios during your interview — they might ask how you would handle a specific problem or improve a food process. We should think through potential situations together, so we can showcase your analytical skills and creativity!
✨Show Enthusiasm for Learning
As a trainee, we want to demonstrate our eagerness to learn and grow in the food science field. Maybe mention specific technologies or techniques you're excited to learn about at Vickerstock, and how they fit into your career goals.
✨Highlight Team Collaboration
Food technology often involves teamwork, especially when developing new products or improving processes. We should be ready to share examples of how we've successfully collaborated in the past — even if it's from school projects or relevant experiences!
