Head of Operations, Mushrooms Production

Oakland International Limited | B Corp Certified; Redditch; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading agri-tech firm in the United Kingdom seeks a Head of Operations to optimize production and manage daily operations as it expands nationally. The successful applicant will lead teams, manage budgets, and drive operational improvements, fostering a collaborative environment. A Bachelor's degree in a relevant field is preferred, along with strong expertise in operations management and team leadership skills. Experience in food production is advantageous but not required.

Qualifications

• Strong expertise in Operations Management and proficiency in optimizing production processes.
• Excellent Analytical Skills to assess data and identify trends.
• Effective Team Management skills to lead and inspire diverse teams.

Responsibilities

• Leadership of team and operational performance.
• Operations planning and budget management.
• Driving operational improvements and strategic decision-making.

Skills

Operations Management

Analytical Skills

Team Management

Communication Skills

Budgeting

Experience in Food Production

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field

Job description

Company Description

Urban Farm-Produce Ltd is a fast-growing agri-tech venture pioneering large-scale Lion's Mane mushroom cultivation in the UK. Backed by strong industry partner, Oakland International Ltd, and gearing up for multi-farm expansion, we're building the country's leading premium functional fungi brand.

A trusted BRCGS-accredited partner, Oakland collaborates with well-known food and retail brands, delivering to major destinations such as Tesco, Aldi, Lidl, and Sainsbury’s. Oakland is also actively involved in community support through its charity, The Oakland Foundation, promoting education, health, and well-being for underprivileged children.

Role Description

As we scale toward 5 commercial farms and prepare for a significant growth round, we're looking for a Head of Operations to take full ownership of our production, fulfilment and day-to-day operational performance. Effectively the number one lead of this are of operations, this role is pivotal to shaping systems, people and processes as we transition from a single-site to a national production network.

Key responsibilities include team leadership, operations planning, managing budgets, fostering communication across teams, and driving operational improvements. The role requires strategic decision-making to optimize production performance and deliver tangible results aligned with company goals. Experience of mushroom production itself is not essential.

Qualifications

• Strong expertise in Operations Management and proficiency in optimizing production processes
• Excellent Analytical Skills to assess data, identify trends, and drive performance
• Effective Team Management skills to lead and inspire diverse teams
• Strong Communication abilities to foster collaboration and convey information clearly
• Competence in Budgeting and financial planning to ensure effective resource allocation
• Proven experience in the food production or supply chain sector, particularly within temperature-controlled environments, is advantageous
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Operations, Supply Chain Management, or a related field is preferred