General Manager

MorePeople; Stockbridge; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading substrate manufacturer is seeking a General Manager for their Tunnel Tech South site in Stockbridge, UK. This key role involves overseeing a high-intensity production environment and leading a team of around 20 colleagues. The ideal candidate will possess significant experience in operations leadership, strong communication skills, and a track record of driving continuous improvement. This opportunity promises exceptional visibility and impact in one of the UK's most advanced substrate operations.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in operations management.
• Ability to motivate multilingual teams.
• Experience managing budgets and key KPIs.

Responsibilities

• Oversee a high-intensity production environment.
• Lead a team of approximately 20 colleagues.
• Drive improvements in productivity, quality, and reliability.

Skills

Leadership in complex production environments

Performance-driven leadership style

Strong commercial acumen

Continuous improvement expertise

Excellent communication skills

Education

Agricultural background or related degree

Job description

General Manager | Tunnel Tech South

Shape the future of a world-leading substrate operation

Monaghan Mushrooms is at the forefront of mushroom production, innovation, and sustainability. At the heart of this success is our advanced substrate manufacturing capability, and our Tunnel Tech South site represents one of the most sophisticated substrate operations in the UK.

Following more than £10m of investment over the past decade, Tunnel Tech South is a state-of-the-art facility located on the John Lewis Leckford Estate. It produces over 1,000 tonnes of high-quality substrate every week, supplying both Monaghan growers and select third-party partners.

We are now seeking a General Manager to lead this flagship operation and drive its next chapter of performance, capability, and growth.

This is not just another operations role. It's a chance to:

• Lead a mission‑critical site – oversee a seven‑day, high‑intensity production environment with 24‑hour monitoring, ensuring the consistent delivery of a world‑class product.
• Build and inspire high‑performing teams – lead c.20 colleagues, including three key managers across each phase of substrate production, developing capability, engagement, and accountability.
• Drive continuous improvement – elevate productivity, quality, and reliability through cultural leadership, data‑driven decision making, and operational excellence.
• Own the full production ecosystem – from raw material management and supplier relationships to environmental compliance, maintenance oversight, and long‑term strategic planning.
• Protect the environment and our community – uphold the highest standards across Health & Safety, environmental permits, and community relations.

We're looking for a proven operations leader with:

• Significant experience running a complex production, farming, agri‑food, composting, or recycling facility.
• A hands‑on, performance‑driven leadership style with the ability to motivate multilingual teams.
• Strong commercial acumen and comfort managing budgets, forecasts, and key operational KPIs.
• A track record of delivering continuous improvement and operational upgrades.
• Excellent communication skills and the confidence to influence across supply chain, procurement, and senior leadership.
• Ideally, an agricultural background or related degree (helpful but not essential).

What you’ll lead:

• Weekly production of 1,000+ tonnes of substrate, aligned to Group schedules and customer demand.
• End‑to‑end site management: H & S, environmental performance, maintenance, security, quality, and staffing.
• Accurate forecasting, supply chain coordination, and raw material optimisation.A culture rooted in safety, high standards, accountability, and improvement.
• Long‑term strategic planning to ensure reliability, efficiency, and future‑fit capability.

The opportunity

You’ll be joining a business with deep agricultural heritage, global scale, and a relentless focus on excellence.

Tunnel Tech South is central to that success, and for the right individual, the visibility, impact, and long‑term career opportunity are exceptional.

This is your chance to shape the future of one of the UK’s most advanced substrate operations, a site with scale, investment, and ambition.

Contact Jack at MorePeople:

[e-mail]
01780 480 530

MorePeople have been exclusively retained on this project. Any CVs will be forwarded to them for consideration.