Head of Operations

Natures Way Foods; Chichester; On-site; GBP 95,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food manufacturer located in Chichester seeks an experienced Head of Operations to oversee a 24/7 operational environment. This role requires substantial experience in food manufacturing, with a focus on maintaining high standards and accountability for KPIs. The ideal candidate will lead the operational team, ensuring quality and efficiency while fostering strong customer relationships. A competitive salary and benefits, including a car allowance and performance bonus, are offered for this pivotal position.

Benefits

25% Bonus

Car Allowance

Life Assurance

Employer matched pension

Electric Car Scheme

Health cash plan

Cycle to work scheme

Colleague discounts

Star Awards

Flexibility in pay frequency

Access to online GP

Employee assistance programme

Relocation support if needed

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in food manufacturing, preferably fresh produce.
• Experience leading high-volume operations with strong process adherence.
• Ability to develop and manage operational objectives.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational control and standards in a 24/7 food manufacturing environment.
• Ensure daily control and escalation processes are followed consistently.
• Maintain strong customer relationships and understand their strategic aims.

Skills

Experience in food manufacturing

Operational management

KPI accountability

Process adherence

Job description

HEAD OF OPERATIONS - Chichester Food Park

£100,000 p/a salary, plus car allowance & 25% bonus. Relocation support considered for the right candidate!

Natures Way Foods is a leading manufacturer of prepared salads, coleslaw and “food-to-go” for the UK’s leading retailers and Quick Service Restaurants, working closely with farmers across the UK & Europe. However there’s lots more to us than the products we make.

Our culture is inclusive, and our people are diverse spanning many different languages. This year is set to be another exceptional year for our organisation. It’s an exciting time to join Natures Way Foods as we are growing rapidly and there is genuine opportunity to develop and progress within the organisation.

We are currently looking for an experienced Head of Operations to join our rapidly growing business in Chichester, West Sussex. Reporting into the Manufacturing Director, you will lead the site’s operational rhythm, ensuring daily control, clear standards, and consistent delivery of Quality, Service and Value across a 24/7 food manufacturing operation.

Please note that we will only consider candidates with substantial experience in food manufacturing, with multi-component knowledge. While experience in fresh produce is preferred, we are also open to candidates from other sectors within the food manufacturing industry, for example Ready Meals. Experience leading high-volume operations with visible daily routines and strong process adherence is essential.

You will already have experience in:

Business Operations:

• In collaboration with the site leadership team, develop the long and short-range objectives for the manufacturing unit, including full programme management of all operational activity
• Full accountability for the delivery of all KPIs for the site, ensuring daily control, SIC routines and escalation processes are consistently followed
• Continuously evaluating the structural impact of strategic decisions on operational delivery, ensuring all stakeholders are aligned and informed
• Owning the site’s governance rhythm, ensuring standards are followed and issues are closed at pace

Value:

• Accountable for the financial performance of the factory, ensuring the Shift Managers & teams are clear on their targets and expectations
• Optimising of all aspects of production including Direct and Indirect costs, with stable control of labour, waste and yield through daily routines

Quality:

• Ensuring right-first-time quality through strict process adherence, verification and timely escalation, delivering perfect product to customers every day

Customer:

• Maintaining and improving strong customer relationships at all levels of their organisation, taking a humble, authentic and non-hierarchical approach
• Demonstrating a clear understanding of our customers’ strategic aims and ways of working

Leadership:

• Building and maintaining strong relationships across the senior leadership team, creating a culture of cooperation, accountability and continuous improvement
• Ensuring leaders are visible, predictable and disciplined in their routines, and that standards are consistently set, followed and reinforced across the site

What you get from us

• Salary: £95,000-100,000 P/A
• 25% Bonus
• Car Allowance
• Life Assurance
• Employer matched pension
• Electric Car Scheme
• Health cash plan
• Cycle to work scheme
• Colleague discounts, including Gym membership & shopping discounts
• Star Awards
• Flexibility in pay frequency each month
• Access to online GP
• Employee assistance programme
• Relocation support considered for the right candidate

What type of people succeed here?

We look for passionate people, with a can-do attitude and an ambition to succeed. We strive to help our people in channelling that passion into everything they do, because your success is our success! We love people who have high standards & lots of ideas, because we are always striving to improve, and we want you to help us do that. Natures Way is a fun, fast and friendly environment where you will be surrounded by a passionate and dedicated team, who are committed to being the best at fresh.

Apply now & join our family!