Head of Operations

The Compleat Food Group; Tees Valley; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company Bonus Scheme

Salary Sacrifice Schemes – EVs, Home &

Cycle to Work

SMART Pension

33 days’ annual leave

Retail discounts online and in-store

Free product handouts across sites

Job summary

The Compleat Food Group is seeking a Head of Operations to lead manufacturing and materials control across the Southbank sites, driving operational excellence and high-performing teams. Reporting to the Site Director, you will own day-to-day performance, deliver productivity gains, and uphold safety, quality and service standards.

You will lead senior teams, manage budgets, and drive continuous improvement through a culture of pace, ownership and collaboration.

Qualifications

• Significant senior manufacturing leadership experience within food manufacturing or a similarly fast-paced environment.
• Proven track record of delivering operational improvements and performance turnaround initiatives.
• Strong leadership capability with the ability to engage, influence and develop teams at all levels.
• Experience managing large operational teams through direct and indirect reports.
• Strong commercial awareness with responsibility for operational budgets and costs.
• A passion for continuous improvement and driving positive change.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A clear commitment to health, safety, quality and customer standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and inspire manufacturing and operational teams across the sites.
• Drive a culture of pace, accountability, engagement and continuous improvement.
• Deliver against key operational KPI's including safety, quality, service, cost and people performance.
• Work closely with the wider Site Leadership Team to align priorities and achieve business objectives.
• Take full ownership of operational performance, costs and resource management.
• Champion Health & Safety, ensuring it remains the number one priority across all areas.
• Support and develop operational leaders through coaching, mentoring and performance management.
• Identify and implement productivity, efficiency and profit improvement initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with all food safety, environmental, legal and company requirements.
• Build positive employee relations and foster a culture of trust, openness and collaboration.
• Lead site-based projects and contribute to wider group initiatives as required.
• Deputise for the Site Director when appropriate.

Skills

Leadership

Operational Excellence

Stakeholder Management

People Management

Budget Management

Continuous Improvement

Health & Safety

Communication

Job description

Lead Operations. Drive Performance. Shape the Future.

At The Compleat Food Group, we're on a mission to create food to feel good. We're now looking for an experienced and ambitious Head of Operations to lead manufacturing and materials control across our Southbank site driving operational excellence, continuous improvement and high-performing teams.

This is a key leadership role reporting directly to the Site Director, with responsibility for the day-to-day operational performance of multiple sites. You'll play a vital role in delivering industry-leading productivity, exceptional customer service, outstanding product quality and a culture where people can thrive.

What You'll Be Doing

As Head of Operations, you'll:

• Lead, motivate and inspire manufacturing and operational teams across the sites.
• Drive a culture of pace, accountability, engagement and continuous improvement.
• Deliver against key operational KPI's including safety, quality, service, cost and people performance.
• Work closely with the wider Site Leadership Team to align priorities and achieve business objectives.
• Take full ownership of operational performance, costs and resource management.
• Champion Health & Safety, ensuring it remains the number one priority across all areas.
• Support and develop operational leaders through coaching, mentoring and performance management.
• Identify and implement productivity, efficiency and profit improvement initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with all food safety, environmental, legal and company requirements.
• Build positive employee relations and foster a culture of trust, openness and collaboration.
• Lead site-based projects and contribute to wider group initiatives as required.
• Deputise for the Site Director when appropriate.

What We're Looking For

We're keen to speak to operational leaders who can demonstrate:

• Significant senior manufacturing leadership experience within food manufacturing or a similarly fast-paced environment.
• A proven track record of delivering operational improvements and performance turnaround initiatives.
• Strong leadership capability with the ability to engage, influence and develop teams at all levels.
• Experience managing large operational teams through direct and indirect reports.
• Strong commercial awareness with responsibility for operational budgets and costs.
• A passion for continuous improvement and driving positive change.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A clear commitment to health, safety, quality and customer standards.

This is a chance to step into a commercially significant role in a business with incredible momentum. You'll be joining a PE-backed group with scale, ambition and pace, where strong commercial talent can make a visible impact. With a diverse multi-site manufacturing footprint, leading chilled food capabilities and a major strategic partnership with Tesco, this is an opportunity to influence growth at the highest level.

You'll be part of a collaborative, passionate and commercially driven team that values pace, ownership and fresh thinking.

BENEFITS:

• Company Bonus Scheme recognising performance and contribution
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes– including Electric Vehicles, Home & Tech, Cycle to Work, and SMART Pension
• 33 days’ annual leave(including bank holidays) with the option to purchase extra
• Access to enhanced retail discounts online and in-store
• Free product handouts across our sites, so you can sample and enjoy our delicious products first hand
• EV charging points– available at selected sites
• 24/7 access to GroceryAid for free financial, emotional, and practical support
• Physical Wellbeing Hub– free on-demand exercise programmes, online classes and multiple gym discounts
• Free diet & nutrition advice with access to thousands of meal plans and healthy recipes
• Online wellbeing support– from mindfulness to lifestyle resources
• Financial wellbeing tools– including mortgage calculators, budgeting tools, and financial aid
• Access to a personalised online learning platform (LMS)
• Formal and informal training opportunities tailored to your role
• Performance Development Plans and regular Career Conversations
• Industry leading company Mentoring Scheme to add depth and really support your career journey
• Recognition through Club Compleat rewards portal

Community & Culture

• 2 paid volunteering days per year to give back to causes that matter to you
• Charity initiatives and fundraising events
• Team socials to connect and celebrate together
• Employee networks & support groups – including Women @ Compleat
• New baby gift for new parents

What You Should Know About How We Recruit

At The Compleat Food Group, we believe great teams are built on difference. We create an inclusive, respectful environment where everyone feels safe, supported, and are able to be themselves at work. We're proud to be an equal opportunities employer and are committed to Fairness, Equity, Inclusivity, and Respect. If you need a reasonable adjustment at any stage of our recruitment process, just let us know, we'll support you — confidentially and with care. We hire the best people for our roles, not the same people. Whoever you are, wherever you're from, we focus on what you do and the impact you could make in our business. Our recruitment process is fair, accessible, and designed to give everyone an equal chance. You'll also find benefits that support people at every life stage, plus active internal networks — including Women @ Compleat, LGBTQIA+, and Neurodiversity

By submitting your CV and personal information, you consent to The Compleat Food Group processing your personal data for the purposes of assessing your application for employment. Your data will be processed in accordance with the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

We will use your personal data solely for recruitment and selection purposes, and it will be securely stored and accessible only to authorized HR and hiring personnel. If your application is unsuccessful, we will retain your details for up to 24 months unless you request earlier deletion.

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