Director, Manufacturing Excellence (EMENA, GB, North America)

G.B.; Scarborough; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A globally recognized food company is seeking a Director of Manufacturing Excellence to lead operational improvements across its manufacturing sites. The role requires over 10 years in manufacturing with a strong focus on continuous improvement methodologies. Candidates should possess exceptional communication skills and the ability to lead large teams in a complex environment. This position offers hybrid work options, emphasizing strategic and tactical initiatives to deliver significant business results.

Benefits

Generous Car Allowance

Short-Term Incentive Plan bonus

Excellent pension plan

Flexible holidays

Private healthcare

Cycle to work scheme

Volunteering Day Off

Qualifications

• 10+ years in manufacturing, ideally in companies known for gold‑standard continuous improvement.
• Proven track record implementing CI programs across multiple sites.
• Global experience across diverse geographies is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the regional MDI program for Global Snacking.
• Enhance program design for central guidance with regional flexibility.
• Coach and mentor leaders to implement MDI effectively.

Skills

Comfortable in ambiguous, fast‑moving environments

Exceptional communication skills

Ability to influence and lead large global teams

Flexible, balancing strategic work with tactical execution

Broad understanding of CI approaches

Job description

Position Title

Director Manufacturing Excellence

Position Type

Regular - Full-Time

Description

We are seeking a senior leader to drive operational excellence across our Global Snacking manufacturing sites in North America, Great Britain, EMENA, and APACSA. Reporting to the VP of Operations & Manufacturing Global Snacking, the Director will shape and deliver the Manufacturing Excellence (McCain Driving Impact / MDI) program, coaching leaders, and achieving breakthrough results through continuous improvement and AI initiatives.

Core Responsibilities & Accountabilities

• Lead the regional MDI program for Global Snacking.
• Enhance program design to balance central guidance with regional flexibility.
• Advance MDI to support future global work systems, including operator ownership, technical skills, and autonomous teams.
• Coach and mentor leaders to implement MDI effectively.
• Develop leaders in a matrixed environment to drive productivity, operational improvements, and loss elimination.
• Garner executive support with strong strategic thinking and communication.
• Implement MDI x AI initiatives.
• Translate programs for the shop floor and clarify the value to operators.
• Deliver significant cost savings through program design and implementation.

What We’re Looking For

Experience & Qualifications

• 10+ years in manufacturing, ideally in companies known for gold‑standard continuous improvement.
• Proven track record implementing CI programs (Lean, IWS, TPM, etc.) across multiple sites and cultures.
• Global experience across diverse geographies is a plus.
• Previous experience as both a practitioner and program leader (e.g., Plant Manager, CI Manager).

Skills & Attributes

• Comfortable in ambiguous, fast‑moving environments.
• Exceptional communication skills, especially with non‑native English speakers.
• Ability to influence and lead large global teams in a complex matrixed organization.
• Systems thinker able to translate vision and strategy into action.
• Flexible, balancing strategic work with tactical execution.
• Self‑motivated, working independently with little coaching.
• Broad understanding of CI approaches, not limited to one methodology.
• Optimistic, solution‑focused, and resilient under pressure.
• Courage to have difficult conversations at all levels.

Location

Global Snacking MDI – sites across North America, GB, EMENA, and APACSA. Preference for candidates based in GB or EMENA. Hybrid and remote options available.

Benefits

• Generous Car Allowance
• Opportunity to earn bonus through Short‑Term Incentive Plan
• Excellent pension – company pays double what employee contributes, up to 12% of pay
• Flexible holidays: buy & sell up to 5 days per year
• Private healthcare for employee and family
• Optional health cash plan
• Cycle to work scheme
• Chips In Volunteering Day Off

Our Leadership Principles

We focus on customer needs, innovation, empowerment, and ownership to clear obstacles and deliver results.

McCain Experience

We are McCain: a culture of authenticity, trust, and collective impact. This role offers learning, growth, and the chance to thrive within a global business.

Equal Opportunity Employment

McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

McCain is an accessible employer. Please let us know if you require any accommodations throughout the recruitment process.

Your privacy is important to us. By submitting personal data you agree that it will be handled in accordance with McCain’s Global Privacy Policy and Global Employee Privacy Policy, and you can understand how your personal information is being handled here.

Job Family

Manufacturing

Division

Global Snacking

Department

Global Snacking MDI

Location(s)

GB - United Kingdom, England: Scarborough

Company

McCain Foods (G.B.) Ltd