General Manager

Kersia, inventing a food safe world; Lockerbie; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Kersia, inventing a food safe world, seeks a senior operations leader to drive site performance in a manufacturing setting. You will oversee safety, quality and productivity, delivering strategic improvements across the site while managing capital projects and cross-functional teams.

Reporting to the Operations Director, you will prepare monthly KPI reports, monitor budgets, and ensure optimal use of ERP systems and data insights to boost profitability and efficiency.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing large-scale capital investment projects.
• Experience leading engineering-related projects and initiatives.
• Previous experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Analytical and solution-focused approach to problem solving.
• Experience managing and developing multi-disciplinary operational teams.
• Ability to travel to other UK and European sites as required.

Responsibilities

• Lead all site operations and ensure SHEQ-compliant practices.
• Drive OTIF, quality, productivity and cost targets.
• Identify initiatives to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
• Provide strategic recommendations for continuous improvement and growth.
• Prepare and present monthly operational KPI reports.
• Develop operational budgets with the Operations Director and monitor performance.
• Maximise ROI from capital expenditure, plant, and equipment.
• Collaborate across functions to deliver improvement projects.
• Lead major capital investment projects across the site.
• Manage contractor and supplier relationships including engineering activities.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Analytical thinking

Team development

Willingness to travel

Education

Degree or equivalent professional experience

Project Management qualification

Tools

ERP systems

Advanced Excel

Office 365

Power BI

Job description

Mission

• Lead all site operations, ensuring compliance with Health & Safety, Environmental and Quality (SHEQ) standards and company policies.
• Drive operational performance to achieve OTIF (On Time In Full), quality, productivity and cost targets.
• Identify and implement initiatives to improve efficiency, reduce costs and increase profitability.
• Provide strategic recommendations to support continuous improvement and business growth.
• Prepare and present monthly operational KPI and performance reports.
• Partner with the Operations Director to develop operational budgets and monitor financial performance against targets.
• Ensure maximum return on investment from capital expenditure, plant and equipment.
• Champion cross-functional collaboration to deliver operational and business improvement projects.
• Lead significant operational and capital investment projects across the site.
• Manage contractor and supplier relationships, including engineering and construction activities.
• Deputise for the Operations Director as required, representing Operations at both local and global levels.
• Act as the escalation point for operational managers on employee relations and people management matters.
• Lead, coach and develop managers and team members, fostering a high-performance culture.
• Conduct performance reviews, appraisals and development planning activities.
• Ensure ERP system compliance, data accuracy and operational efficiency.
• Oversee inventory management, stock control and cost optimisation activities.

Essential

• Proven experience managing large-scale capital investment projects.
• Experience leading engineering-related projects and initiatives.
• Previous experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Analytical and solution-focused approach to problem solving.
• Experience managing and developing multi-disciplinary operational teams.
• Ability to travel to other UK and European sites as required.

Desirable

• IOSH or NEBOSH Health & Safety qualification.
• Project Management qualification.
• Degree educated or equivalent professional experience.

IT Skills

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office 365 (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams).
• Familiarity with ERP systems.
• Power BI knowledge would be advantageous.
• Experience producing KPI reports, operational dashboards and performance analysis.