Operations Manager

Corvin Fox; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough; On-site; GBP 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Wider benefits

Job summary

Corvin Fox is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead a busy fresh produce operation in Ely, Cambridgeshire. You’ll manage five direct reports across the shift, with around 80–100 colleagues plus agency labour, and drive practical improvements in waste, yield, cost and efficiency.

The role focuses on coaching the existing leadership team to take greater ownership of the operation, while providing room to develop towards broader leadership responsibility and to work with senior leaders

Qualifications

• Strong operational leadership experience in manufacturing, preferably food or fresh produce.
• Experience leading and developing Shift Managers/Leaders with a track record of improving performance through people.
• Practical continuous improvement experience across waste, yield, cost, efficiency and standards.
• Demonstrated collaborative style and ability to drive results without heroics.

Responsibilities

• Lead five direct reports across the shift, with around 80-100 people plus agency labour.
• Coach, develop and enable the leadership team to take greater ownership of the operation.
• Identify where improvements can be made and work with people closest to the process to implement them.
• Support the senior leadership agenda and develop towards broader leadership responsibilities.

Skills

Operational leadership

Continuous improvement

People management

Lean

Job description

Salary:Up to £70,000

Location:Ely, Cambridgeshire

Benefits:+ Bonus and Wider Benefits

Lead the Team. Improve the Operation. Build for the Future.

You’ve led teams in fast-paced manufacturing environments. You know how to improve

performance, build accountability and get the best out of experienced people.

Now, you’re looking for a role where you can do more than just keep the day-to-day running.

This is that opportunity.

We’re searching for an Operations Manager to join a growing fresh produce business in Ely

and take responsibility for a sizeable part of its factory operation.

You’ll lead five direct reports across the shift structure, with around 80-100 people plus

agency labour sitting underneath them. Your focus won’t be to become another Shift

Manager. It will be to coach, develop and enable the existing leadership team to take greater

ownership of the operation.

At the same time, you’ll have the space to look beyond today.

Waste. Yield. Cost. Automation. GMP. Standards. Efficiency.

The business wants someone who can identify where improvements can be made and then

work with the people closest to the process to make them happen. They’re far more

interested in practical results than someone arriving with a textbook full of Lean terminology.

This is also a role with genuine headroom.

The position has been created following a review of the operational structure, with

succession planning firmly in mind. Over time, you’ll gain greater exposure to the senior

leadership team, take more ownership of the operational agenda and have the opportunity to

develop towards broader leadership responsibility.

The Operation at a Glance

This is a busy, 24/7 fresh produce operation supplying major UK retailers.

The site processes high volumes across multiple wash and packing lines, with a strong

operational team already in place. The business is stable, growing and increasingly focused

on how it can improve performance, capability and efficiency for the future.

The culture is down-to-earth, collaborative and very people-focused.

There is no room for ego here.

What You’ll Bring

To succeed, you’ll already have strong operational leadership experience within

manufacturing, ideally food or fresh produce.

You’ll have experience leading and developing Shift Managers, Shift Leaders or equivalent,

with a proven track record of improving performance through people.

You’ll also bring practical continuous improvement experience across areas such as waste,

yield, cost, efficiency and standards.

Most importantly, you’ll be measured, collaborative and comfortable in your own skin.

Someone who knows how to get things done without needing to be the hero.

Corvin Fox is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our mission is to welcome everyone and

create inclusive teams. We celebrate difference and encourage candidates from all

backgrounds and walks of life to apply.

Whilst we aim to respond to all applicants, there are times where this is not possible due to

the high number of applicants we receive. If you haven’t heard back from us within 10

working days of your application, you have unfortunately been unsuccessful.