Operations Manager

Reed Specialist Recruitment Ltd.; Retford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension scheme

Full-time working hours

Comprehensive training provided

Job summary

Reed Specialist Recruitment Ltd. is seeking an Operations Manager to drive end-to-end management of a food production facility in Retford. You will optimise factory workflows, manage procurement, and ensure compliance with safety standards while working with the Factory General Manager to achieve operational excellence.

The role emphasizes daily production oversight, process improvement, and supplier management, with a focus on reducing waste and controlling costs in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in factory production and procurement within a food manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of food safety legislation, HACCP principles, and supplier standards.
• Experience leading BRCGS audits and implementing Continuous Improvement methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily production across shifts to meet targets.
• Analyze performance metrics to maximise throughput and yield.
• Lead Lean, 5S and CI initiatives to reduce bottlenecks and downtime.
• Design shift schedules to optimise labour costs and material intake.
• Source and negotiate with vendors for raw ingredients and packaging.
• Manage supplier relationships to control material costs and waste.
• Audit supplier performance and ensure timely delivery of materials.
• Collaborate with warehouse teams to maintain stock levels and minimise waste.
• Lead annual BRCGS audits and maintain compliance ratings.
• Establish traceability protocols for ingredients and finished goods.
• Drive corrective actions for operational or safety issues.
• Enforce health, safety and hygiene policies across teams.

Skills

Factory management

Procurement

Negotiation

Leadership

Communication

Lean manufacturing

Job description

Operations Manager

• Location: Retford, Nottinghamshire
• Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent
• Salary: Competitive

Join our team as an Operations Manager and play a pivotal role in the end-to-end management of our production facility. This position is integral to optimising factory workflows, enhancing material sourcing, and ensuring compliance with food safety standards. You will work closely with the Factory General Manager to achieve operational excellence.

Day-to-Day of the Role

Operational Management & Factory Efficiency

• Production Oversight: Manage daily operations across all production shifts to ensure manufacturing targets are met.
• Efficiency Measures: Monitor and analyse operational performance metrics to maximize throughput and batch yield rates.
• Process Improvement: Implement Lean Manufacturing, 5S, or Continuous Improvement methodologies to reduce production bottlenecks and downtime.
• Resource Optimization: Design shift schedules to control labour costs and align with raw material intake.

Procurement & Supply Chain

• Sourcing & Negotiation: Establish commercial contracts with vendors for raw ingredients and packaging.
• Cost Control: Manage vendor relationships to optimise material costs and control stock expenses.
• Supplier Performance: Audit supplier performance to ensure quality and timely delivery of materials.
• Inventory Control: Collaborate with warehouse teams to manage stock levels and minimise waste.

Compliance, Quality, and Safety

• Audit Leadership: Lead annual BRCGS audits ensuring compliance and quality standards.
• Compliance Maintenance: Maintain the facility's BRCGS compliance rating.
• Traceability Protocols: Ensure traceability of all ingredients and finished goods.
• Corrective Action: Conduct root-cause analysis and implement corrective actions for operational or safety issues.
• Health & Safety: Enforce health, safety, and hygiene policies across production teams.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Experience: Proven management experience in factory production and procurement within a food manufacturing environment. Experience in leading BRCGS audits.
• Technical Skills: Deep knowledge of food safety legislation, HACCP principles, and supplier standards. Proficiency in Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, or 5S frameworks.
• Leadership Competencies: Strong negotiation, contract management, and communication skills. Ability to lead, train, and motivate teams. Analytical and detail-oriented under pressure.

Benefits

• Company pension scheme.
• Full-time working hours, Monday to Friday.
• Comprehensive training provided.