Operations Manager

Sofina Foods Europe; Little Wratting; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Sofina Foods Europe is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead and develop production teams at its meat production site in Haverhill. You will drive safety, quality, service and cost targets while delivering production plans with efficiency and strong food safety standards.

In this onsite leadership role you will coach shift managers, collaborate with planning and cross-functional teams, and lead continuous improvement initiatives to maximise yield, reduce waste and improve overall

Qualifications

• Significant experience in manufacturing management, ideally within food FMCG.
• Experience leading production teams in a fast-paced operational environment.
• Strong understanding of food safety, quality, hygiene and health & safety standards.
• Experience implementing operational improvements and driving performance against KPIs.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Good IT literacy and experience using production and business systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop production teams to achieve operational and business objectives.
• Deliver production plans safely, efficiently and in line with quality, service and cost targets.
• Drive improvements in yield, labour efficiency, material utilisation and operating performance.
• Work closely with Planning teams to maximise efficiencies and resolve production challenges.
• Lead daily performance reviews, setting clear targets and ensuring effective delivery against KPIs.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing waste, downtime and rework.
• Support the implementation of site projects, operational improvements and business initiatives.
• Build strong relationships across departments to ensure effective collaboration and problem-solving.
• Create an environment where colleagues feel engaged, motivated and accountable for results.
• Develop leaders and teams through coaching, communication, performance management and training.
• Support recruitment, succession planning and workforce development activities.
• Ensure compliance with all food safety, quality, environmental and health & safety standards.
• Provide leadership during operational issues and non-routine situations, ensuring effective decision-making and communication.

Skills

Manufacturing management

People development

Operational excellence

Continuous improvement

Leadership

Food safety

Cross-functional collab

Tools

Production systems

Job description

Lead Manufacturing Performance in a Fast-Paced Food Production Environment

Role Overview

As an Operations Manager, you'll play a key role in leading and developing production teams to deliver outstanding results across safety, quality, service and cost. Reporting to the Head of Operations, you'll be responsible for ensuring production plans are delivered efficiently while maintaining the highest standards of food safety, product quality and operational performance.

This is a highly visible leadership role where you'll work closely with Shift Managers and cross-functional teams to drive continuous improvement, maximise efficiency and create a culture of accountability, engagement and teamwork.

This is an onsite role, based at our meat production site in Haverhill.

Key Duties:

You'll have the opportunity to influence site performance, develop people and lead initiatives that improve productivity, reduce waste and support long-term business success.

You will:

• Lead and develop production teams to achieve operational and business objectives.
• Deliver production plans safely, efficiently and in line with quality, service and cost targets.
• Drive improvements in yield, labour efficiency, material utilisation and operational performance.
• Work closely with Planning teams to maximise efficiencies and resolve production challenges.
• Lead daily performance reviews, setting clear targets and ensuring effective delivery against KPIs.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing waste, downtime and rework.
• Support the implementation of site projects, operational improvements and business initiatives.
• Build strong relationships across departments to ensure effective collaboration and problem-solving.
• Create an environment where colleagues feel engaged, motivated and accountable for results.
• Develop leaders and teams through coaching, communication, performance management and training.
• Support recruitment, succession planning and workforce development activities.
• Ensure compliance with all food safety, quality, environmental and health & safety standards.
• Provide leadership during operational issues and non-routine situations, ensuring effective decision-making and communication.

The Ideal Candidate

We're looking for an experienced manufacturing leader with a passion for people development, operational excellence and continuous improvement.

You will have:

• Significant experience in a manufacturing management role, ideally within food manufacturing or FMCG.
• Experience leading production teams within a fast-paced operational environment.
• A strong understanding of food safety, quality, hygiene and health & safety standards.
• Experience delivering operational improvements and driving performance against key business measures.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, coach and develop high-performing teams.
• Commercial awareness and an understanding of cost control, efficiency and operational performance.
• Experience implementing continuous improvement initiatives and driving positive change.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
• Good IT literacy and experience using production and business systems.
• The resilience and adaptability to manage competing priorities in a dynamic manufacturing environment.

Why Join Sofina Foods?

This is an excellent opportunity to join a leading food manufacturing business where you'll have real influence over operational performance and site success. You'll lead talented teams, drive meaningful improvements and work within a business that values collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.

As part of Sofina Foods, you'll have opportunities to develop your leadership capability, broaden your operational experience and build a rewarding long-term career within a growing international organisation.

About Sofina

Sofina Foods is more than just a food company. It's a place where you can grow your career, learn new skills, and make a positive impact.
With a wide range of meat and seafood products that delight consumers worldwide, Sofina Foods is always looking for talented and passionate people to join its team of over 13,000 employees across 40 sites in Canada and Europe.
At Sofina Foods, you will be part of a culture that values innovation, quality, sustainability, and customer satisfaction. You will work with diverse and delicious products that are sourced responsibly and sustainably from over 50 different protein sources from 5 continents.
Our vision is to be the most successful food company in the world. If you are looking for a rewarding and exciting career in the food sector, Sofina Foods is the place for you.

Equal Opportunities

Sofina Foods is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We're committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences - regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation