Operations Manager – Pet Nutrition Care & Treats

Mars; West Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A global leader in pet nutrition is seeking an Operations Manager for their Birstall site in the United Kingdom. This pivotal role involves leading a large operations team, ensuring safety and quality standards while driving operational excellence and cultural transformation. The ideal candidate has 2-3 years of experience in high-speed manufacturing and a strong background in team development and strategic planning.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Yearly bonus

Comprehensive benefits package

Mentoring and development support

Equal Parental Leave

Qualifications

• Minimum 2-3 years experience leading complex manufacturing operations.
• Proven track record in talent development and engagement.
• Demonstrated expertise in operational improvements using lean principles.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a large operations team fostering a high-performance culture.
• Ensure delivery of site production targets and optimize resources.
• Champion safety, quality, and compliance standards across the site.

Skills

People Leadership

Manufacturing Operations

Strategic Planning

Lean Principles

Digital Transformation

Education

Degree in a technical or business field

Job description

Job Description

Operations Manager Pet Nutrition Care & Treats Birstall Site

Location: Birstall Site 5 / 2 on site

Reporting to: Senior Site Management Team

A rare and exciting opportunity has arisen at our Pet Nutrition Care & Treats Birstall site for an Operations Manager to join the Site Management Team as a senior leader. This role is pivotal in shaping and delivering the site strategy with a strong emphasis on Safety Quality Cost and People. You will lead a large operations team drive cultural transformation and champion operational excellence through effective leadership strategic vision and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Collaboration: Champion and support the delivery of the site strategy ensuring alignment with Safety Quality and Cost objectives.
• Play a critical role in the Site Leadership Team (SLT) fostering collaboration and strong relationships across all site functions.
• Contribute to long-term strategic planning and decision-making for operational manufacturing excellence.
• People Leadership & Development: Lead mentor and develop a team of 12 direct reports and 250 indirect reports creating a high-performance culture through coaching engagement and continuous development; drive talent management succession planning and organizational development; embed safety and quality mindsets and behaviors; drive a cultural change towards ownership and responsibility on-site.
• Operational Excellence: Accountable for delivering site production targets and optimizing the use of resources; implement and sustain TPM initiatives; lead the OPEX agenda; manage balanced scorecards/KPIs covering safety, quality, efficiency and cost; deliver on production conversion cost targets.
• Safety & Quality Compliance: Ensure delivery of required standards across Safety Quality and Food Safety compliance areas; champion initiatives to maintain the highest standards in food safety and workplace safety for all associates.
• Innovation & Digital Transformation: Leverage automation and digital manufacturing tools; train and support teams in adopting new technologies and driving digital execution and confidence.

Qualifications

• Proven People Leader: Passionate about developing talent and engaging associates; able to motivate and coach teams in a manufacturing setting.
• Operational Expertise: Minimum 2-3 years experience leading complex high-speed manufacturing operations ideally within FMCG.
• Strategic Thinker: Experience with site-level strategic planning; skilled in managing KPIs and balanced scorecards.
• Continuous Improvement Advocate: Demonstrated expertise in lean principles (e.g. Six Sigma), TPM and driving operational improvements.
• Technical Background: Degree or relevant qualification in a technical or business field preferred.
• Tech-Savvy: Experience with automation digital manufacturing tools and the ability to drive technology adoption.
• Growth Potential: Ambition and capability to develop into future business leadership roles (e.g. Plant Manager).

What You Can Expect from Mars

• Consistently ranked among the UK's Top 10 Great Places to Work since 2016.
• Competitive salary, yearly bonus and comprehensive benefits package.
• Equal Parental Leave: 52 weeks off (26 paid at 90% salary) for all new parents.
• Mentoring and development support from day one including access to Mars University.
• Purpose-driven work environment focused on building a better world tomorrow.
• Succession potential for director-level roles through strong performance and personal development.

Mars is committed to providing access equal opportunity and reasonable adjustments for individuals with disabilities, long-term health conditions or neurodiversity during the application and recruitment process. To request reasonable adjustments complete our Reasonable Adjustment Request Form here