Head of Manufacturing

JR United Kingdom; Luton; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food manufacturing company is seeking a Head of Manufacturing to oversee their flagship site in Bedfordshire. The role offers a unique opportunity to drive operational excellence, lead talented teams, and foster a culture of safety and quality. With a clear path to a General Manager position, this is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced leader passionate about food production.

Benefits

Competitive compensation

Autonomy in strategy and team development

Leadership in a quality-driven culture

Opportunities for professional growth

Qualifications

• Experienced manufacturing leader from the food industry.
• Hands-on with KPIs, budgeting, and lean manufacturing.
• Tech-savvy and comfortable with data.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage production and hygiene teams to ensure operational excellence.
• Own safety, quality, efficiency KPIs, and push beyond them.
• Drive continuous improvement, reduce waste, and enhance productivity.

Skills

Operational Excellence

Food Safety

Continuous Improvement

Team Leadership

Data Analysis

Tools

MS Office

SAP

Job description

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Head of Manufacturing, luton, bedfordshire

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Client:

Location:

luton, bedfordshire, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Views:

6

Posted:

06.06.2025

Expiry Date:

21.07.2025

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Job Description:

New Leadership Opportunity - Head of Manufacturing

An exciting opportunity has arisen with one of our exclusive clients, well-established, volume food manufacturing business, who are on the lookout for a visionary Head of Manufacturing to take the reins at their flagship site in Bedfordshire, England. As this is a new position within the business, it offers a unique chance to shape the future of the site, driving operational excellence, prioritising safety, and fostering a high-performance, quality-driven culture within a dynamic, multi-line production environment with a clear step stone to become the General Manager within a few years.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Lead from the front: Inspire and manage passionate production and hygiene teams, setting the tone for excellence, accountability, and team spirit.
• Deliver results that matter: Own KPIs across safety, quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction — and push beyond them.
• Champion food safety & compliance: Ensure top-tier standards and audit-readiness at all times, working closely with technical teams and contributing to the HACCP team.
• Shape the culture: Foster a collaborative, engaged, and high-performing environment that people love being a part of.
• Drive change: Lead continuous improvement initiatives, reduce waste, and boost productivity through innovation and best practice.
• Collaborate for success: Work cross-functionally with planning, engineering, supply chain, and quality to keep the operation moving seamlessly.

What We're Looking For:

• A seasoned manufacturing leader from the food industry – experience in industrial-scale food production is highly desirable.
• Someone who lives and breathes operational excellence, food safety, and continuous improvement.
• A people-first leader who develops talent, builds strong teams, and leads with energy and purpose.
• Hands-on with KPIs, budgeting, and lean manufacturing – and sharp enough to handle high-volume, fast-paced production.
• Comfortable with data, tech-savvy (MS Office, SAP), and driven by results.

What’s In It for You:

• A high-impact leadership role in a business that’s scaling and investing in the future.
• The autonomy to shape your own team, strategy, and ways of working.
• A chance to lead in a people-centred, quality-driven culture with a strong sense of purpose.
• Competitive compensation, benefits, and the opportunity to grow alongside a forward-thinking leadership team.
• Stepping stone into a senior leadership role with a clear runway to General Manager.

If you’re an experienced leader looking for your next big move in food manufacturing, let’s talk!

Apply now or reach out directly for a confidential conversation.