Operations Manager - Food

Handley James Consulting Ltd; Westhoughton; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Handley James Consulting Ltd, on behalf of a specialist North West Food Manufacturer, seeks an Operations Manager to head the Operations team and support growth. You will champion lean principles, oversee Supply Chain, Production, Quality and Safety, and drive continuous improvement across the operation.

The role suits a hands-on, collaborative leader with a track record of improving production processes, leading by example, and delivering measurable KPI improvements.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in fast-paced manufacturing with short lead times.
• Experience in high-volume production environments with varied product mix.
• People-focused leadership with ability to drive change and coaching across teams.
• Hands-on leader who sets example and collaborates across functions.

Responsibilities

• Take responsibility for the full end-to-end Operations management.
• Ensure OTIF to customers, drive CI and efficiency improvements in daily operations.
• Manage and develop the team by setting and sustaining KPIs and SOPs.
• Implement and sustain a culture change programme with a practical CI focus.
• Empower, develop and coach people to create a high-performing team.
• Prioritise quality as a KPI across the business.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Operations management

Team leadership

KPI development

Continuous improvement

Job description

We have been retained by a specialist Food Manufacturer based in the North West to source an Operations Manager to head up their Operations team and support the future growth. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who really wants to develop their career to the next level with a well established and growing SME Manufacturer.

Heading up a multi-disciplined Operational team you will be responsible for championing the lean principles throughout the business and professionalising the manufacturing operation. You will take responsibility for Supply Chain, Production, Quality and Safety.

Reporting to the MD, you will be responsible for:

• Take responsibility for the full end to end Operations management
• Be responsible for OTIF to customer, continuous improvement, efficiency improvements and the day to day operational management
• Manage and develop the team by setting and sustaining KPIs and SOPs across the business
• Implement and sustain a culture change programme with a practical CI focus
• Empower, develop and coach people in order to create a high performing team
• Place quality as paramount from a KPI point of view

Currently in an Operations professional, you will be experienced in working in a fast paced, short lead time manufacturing environment. You will be experienced in working in a high-volume manufacturer with a high level of variables/product mix. You will be people focussed and will facilitate change in a people led way. You will have experience of improving production processes, you will be improvement driven and with a strong coaching and leadership style. Analytical, engaging, proactive and driven will all be part of your behavioural profile. It is important that you are a hands‑on leader, one who leads by example and operates in a collaborative way. Food manufacturing would be a distinct advantage but is in no way essential.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone to join an established, secure and growing manufacturer in order to progress their career. This role offers immediate challenge as well as the opportunity to be involved, and lead, group wide projects. Offering an attractive starting salary of between £60,000 and £70,000 alongside an excellent benefits package