Director of Operations

Blakeney Point Search & Selection; West Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food manufacturing company in the UK is seeking an experienced Operations Director to lead manufacturing operations and drive a culture of excellence. This role requires a strong background in food manufacturing, leadership skills, and a commitment to safety and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of developing teams and achieving operational goals.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of leadership in food manufacturing.
• Hands-on experience improving plant performance.
• Exceptional communication skills at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing operations ensuring efficiency and quality.
• Drive a zero-injury safety mindset and compliance.
• Coach and implement Lean principles to boost performance.

Skills

Leadership in food manufacturing

Team development

Safety leadership

Operational excellence

Process improvement

Analytical skills

Education

Degree or equivalent professional experience

Job description

Operations Director

The Role

We’re looking for a dynamic Operations Director to take the lead in driving excellence across a food manufacturing facility. This is a pivotal role for someone who can combine strategic thinking with a hands‑on approach, inspiring teams to deliver top‑tier performance while building a culture that truly thrives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead all aspects of manufacturing operations, ensuring efficiency, quality, and consistency across the site.
• Champion a culture of teamwork, respect, and professionalism, bringing the company’s values to life every day.
• Drive a zero-injury mindset by embedding safety‑first practices and ensuring full compliance with environmental, health, and safety standards.
• Empower operational teams with the tools, training, and resources they need to excel.
• Coach and embed Lean principles and continuous improvement practices, boosting process capability, discipline, and performance.
• Deliver key operational metrics across safety, quality, service, cost, and reliability, with an unrelenting focus on improvement.
• Build future capability to meet evolving market needs and support the profitable growth of our product portfolio.
• Foster a customer‑centric, flexible, and commercially savvy organisation.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the management team, conducting regular performance reviews and supporting personal growth through tailored training.
• Provide clear strategic leadership that aligns business goals with people strategy, setting the standard for operational excellence.
• Develop and manage annual operating budgets, ensuring delivery against agreed timelines and financial targets.

The Person

Experience & Expertise:

• Degree educated (or equivalent professional experience).
• Proven track record of progressive leadership in food manufacturing,
• Strong background in leading and developing high‑performing teams.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety leadership and operational excellence.
• Hands‑on experience improving plant performance while maintaining day‑to‑day delivery.
• Broad understanding of plant operations including Production, Quality, Technical, Engineering, Supply Chain, NPD, and Process.
• Experienced in building strong management teams and fostering a high‑performance culture.
• Commercially astute, with strong analytical and process improvement skills.
• Exceptional communicator, clear, persuasive, and confident at every level.

Leadership Style

• Inclusive and participative, someone who brings people with them.
• Operates with integrity, professionalism, and sound judgment.
• Naturally respectful, approachable, and grounded.
• A proactive “can‑do” mindset, decisive, energetic, and results‑oriented.
• Strong collaborator, especially with cross‑functional teams like Technical and NPD.
• Strategic thinker with excellent analytical skills and a drive for continuous improvement.