Operations Manager (Food Processing)

Promatchconsultancy; Dingwall; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days holiday per year

Pension

Annual bonus scheme

Job summary

Promatchconsultancy is partnering with a well-established producer in the Scottish Highlands to recruit an experienced Operations Manager for a high-volume food processing site. The role leads cross-functional teams and drives cost control, safety, and continuous improvement on a back shift (2pm–10:30pm).

You will oversee day-to-day operations, develop production plans, and ensure compliance with food safety and quality standards while delivering performance targets and staff development.

Qualifications

• Significant, proven experience in an Operations Manager or senior manufacturing/processing leadership role.
• Strong background in food production, technical compliance and engineering processes.
• Proven ability to drive results through data, metrics and people leadership.
• Excellent leadership, communication and team-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations of a high-volume food processing facility, ensuring targets for production output, yield and quality.
• Develop and implement production schedules and resource plans.
• Recruit, lead, train and develop a team of department heads, supervisors and operational staff.
• Ensure compliance with customer standards, food safety, legal, health & safety and environmental policies.
• Lead continuous improvement and cost-reduction initiatives.
• Support capital investment and asset upgrade projects.

Skills

Operations leadership

Food production

Engineering processes

Data-driven decisions

People leadership

Job description

Are you a proven leader in food manufacturing, ready to take on a high-impact operations role in a business that blends heritage with innovation? We are working with a well-established and respected producer in the Scottish Highlands to recruit an experienced Operations Manager to lead their processing facility. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a business known for its premium products, commitment to sustainability and strong investment in people and process excellence.

The Role

As Operations Manager you will have full responsibility for the day-to-day operations and long-term performance of a food processing site. Leading cross-functional teams across production, engineering, technical and compliance, you’ll ensure smooth and efficient operations in line with the highest food safety and quality standards, driving operational excellence, cost control, staff engagement and continuous improvement across all areas of the plant. This role operates a back shift schedule (2pm to 10.30pm).

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee all daily operations of a high-volume food processing facility, ensuring consistent achievement of targets for production output, yield and quality
• Develop and implement production schedules and resource plans
• Recruit, lead, train and develop a team of department heads, supervisors and operational staff - driving a performance culture through KPIs, coaching and structured appraisals
• Ensure compliance with customer standards, food safety, legal, health & safety and environmental policies
• Lead continuous improvement and cost-reduction initiatives
• Support capital investment and asset upgrade projects

About You

• Significant, proven experience in an Operations Manager or senior manufacturing/processing leadership role
• Strong background in food production, technical compliance and engineering processes
• Proven ability to drive results through data, metrics and people leadership
• Excellent leadership, communication and team-building skills
• Self-motivated, hands-on and capable of managing change in a fast-paced environment

What’s on Offer

• Competitive salary, negotiable based on experience
• 30 days holiday per annum, pension and annual company bonus scheme
• A rare chance to join a forward-thinking and supportive leadership team
• Opportunities for development and career progression in a growing business