Plant Director

McCormick & Company; England; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global flavour company in England seeks a Site Operations Director to lead the plant and develop operations teams. The role encompasses health & safety, production, material/inventory control, and project leadership. Candidates should have extensive food manufacturing experience, strong leadership capabilities, and the ability to drive continuous improvement initiatives. Join a culture promoting safety, quality, and employee engagement within a globally recognized employer.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in food manufacturing operations in FMCG environments.
• Strong background in TPM and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience leading major transformation projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Haddenham Site Operations teams to deliver business goals.
• Develop and implement a three-year strategic plan.
• Ensure compliance with global quality and safety standards.
• Promote a positive safety and quality culture.

Skills

Leadership

Continuous Improvement

Food Technology

Project Management

Strategic Thinking

Communication

Financial Acumen

Cultural Awareness

Education

Graduate in Food Technology, Engineering, Science, or Supply Chain Logistics

Job description

Reporting to the Director EMEA Flavour Solutions Operations & Supply Chain, the role will be responsible for Leading and Developing the plant. Scope of responsibility within manufacturing includes health & safety, production, material/inventory control planning & scheduling, engineering and leadership of major projects, with around 120 employees overall.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead and develop the Haddenham Site Operations teams to deliver business goals from a Safety, Quality, People, Service and Cost perspective.
• Continue to develop a positive, empowered Safety and Quality Culture on Site
• Lead the Journey To Excellence Programme to develop a Continuous Improvement Culture
• Develop and implement a three-year strategic plan, mobilizing resources to translate vision into action.
• Build strong relationships with Marketing, Engineering, Commercial, and R&D teams to understand business challenges and align operations with cost and efficiency objectives.
• Participate actively in the S&OP process to deliver superior cost, efficiency, and service performance.
• Manage working capital levels in line with business needs and commitments.
• Support commercial units through transformation, innovation, and service improvement initiatives.
• Lead a behavioural safety culture and, in collaboration with the EMEA HSE Manager, develop and deliver a three-year safety roadmap for the site.
• Ensure compliance with global and regional quality and food safety standards (AIB, BRC, EFSIS, ISO14001, etc.).
• Develop and deliver operational budget performance and COGS ownership, reporting results through agreed business KPIs.
• Identify and execute capital expenditure and cost optimization projects.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives, including lean manufacturing, TPM, and CCI programs aligned with EMEA and Global strategies.
• Identify and implement cost improvement projects across manufacturing and distribution.
• Lead talent development, succession planning, and performance management in partnership with HR Business Partners.
• Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion and foster a culture of high employee engagement.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

• Graduate in Food Technology, Engineering, Science, or Supply Chain Logistics.
• Extensive experience in food manufacturing operations within international FMCG environments.
• Experience working within a range of business cultures; international assignment is a plus.
• Previous multi-country operating experience is a plus.
• Inspiring leader able to motivate, develop, and engage diverse teams.
• At ease to navigate in matrix organization and customer visits
• Experience leading major transformation projects (e.g. plant construction, SAP implementation, acquisitions) is a plus.
• Strong background in TPM and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience working with Unions or Works Councils on significant organizational changes is a plus.
• Strategic thinker with strong business and financial acumen.
• Results-driven and self-managed, with a hands‑on approach.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to influence at all levels.
• Flexible and adaptable, capable of balancing strategic and operational priorities.
• Commercially focused, with proven ability to deliver performance through collaboration and innovation.
• Strong cultural awareness and ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment.

#LI-DNI

COMPANY

At McCormick, we bring our passion for flavor to work each day. We encourage growth, respect everyone's contributions and do what's right for our business, our people, our communities and our planet. Join us on our quest to make every meal and moment better.

Founded in Baltimore, MD in 1889 in a room and a cellar by 25-year-old Willoughby McCormick with three employees, McCormick is a global leader in flavour. With over 14,000 employees around the world and more than $6 Billion in annual sales., the Company manufactures, markets and distributes spices, seasoning mixes, condiments and other flavourful products to the entire food industry, retail outlets, food manufactures, food service businesses and consumers.

While our global headquarters are in the Baltimore, Maryland, USA area, McCormick operates and serves customers from nearly 50 locations in 27 countries and 135 markets in Asia-Pacific, China, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and the Americas, including North, South and Central America with recognized brands including Schwartz.

At McCormick, we have over a 100‑year legacy based on our “Power of People” principle. This principle fosters an unusually dedicated workforce requiring a culture of respect, recognition, inclusion and collaboration based on the highest ethical values.

Agencies: McCormick as needed will work with external recruitment vendors through our Agency Portal. Unless previously contacted, McCormick does not accept unsolicited resumes from external recruiting agencies.

McCormick & Company is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, colour, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies.

WHY WORK AT MCCORMICK?

United by flavor. Driven by results.

As a McCormick employee you’ll be empowered to focus on more than your individual responsibilities. You’ll have the opportunity to be part of something bigger than yourself—to have a say in where the company is going and how it’s growing.

Between our passion for flavor, our 130-year history of leadership and integrity, the competitive and comprehensive benefits we offer, and our culture, which is built on respect and opportunities for growth, there are many reasons to join us at McCormick.