Senior Operations Manager

Blakeney Point Search & Selection; Hull and East Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Mon-Fri – no weekend shifts

Impact at leading food manufacturer

Culture of continuous improvement and

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Blakeney Point Search & Selection is recruiting an Operations Manager for a leading food manufacturer in the East Yorkshire area. You will drive operational excellence, embed a people-first culture, and lead continuous improvement across a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

You’ll ensure safe, efficient site operations, motivate your team, and deliver KPI performance including plan adherence, GMP, OTIF, and quality systems.

Qualifications

• Food manufacturing background is essential with proven leadership in the sector.
• Able to inspire, coach and build high-performing teams.
• Strong understanding of health & safety standards (IOSH or equivalent desirable).
• Experience applying Lean Manufacturing / Six Sigma (Green Belt or higher) to drive improvements.
• Demonstrated ability in planning, logistics, and operational performance tracking.

Responsibilities

• Lead safety, food safety, and compliance across operations.
• Deliver performance against KPIs including plan adherence, GMP, RFT %, OTIF, and productivity.
• Champion Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma to drive efficiency and waste reduction.
• Own hazard and risk assessments with timely corrective actions.
• Be a hands-on leader on the shop floor, engaging and empowering teams.
• Provide leadership in recruitment, retention, and training compliance.
• Ensure HACCP, allergen management, SOPs, and quality systems are followed and improved.
• Maintain product quality and standards.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to deliver objectives.

Skills

People management

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

HACCP knowledge

Excel reporting

Root Cause Analysis

Health & Safety awareness

Tools

Excel

Job description

We are recruiting for an Operations Manager to join a leading food manufacturer in the East Yorkshire area. This is a fantastic opportunity to play a pivotal role in driving operational excellence, embedding a people-first culture, and leading continuous improvement across a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.

You’ll be responsible for ensuring the safe, efficient, and effective running of site operations while motivating, developing, and empowering your team to deliver outstanding results.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and embed a culture of safety, food safety, and compliance across all operations.
• Deliver operational performance against KPIs including plan adherence, GMP, RFT %, OTIF logistics, and productivity.
• Champion Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies, driving efficiency, waste reduction, and process optimisation.
• Own and deliver hazard assessments, risk assessments, and safety tours, ensuring corrective actions are closed out promptly.
• Be a hands-on leader and visible presence on the shop floor, ensuring teams are engaged, supported, and empowered.
• Provide strong leadership in team development, recruitment, retention, and training compliance.
• Ensure robust HACCP, allergen management, SOPs, and quality systems are followed and continuously improved.
• Maintain technical and customer compliance, ensuring product quality and standards are consistently met.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to deliver business objectives and support strategic initiatives.

Key Skills & Requirements

• Food Manufacturing background is essential - with proven leadership and people management experience in the sector.
• A true people person - able to inspire, coach, and build high-performing, engaged teams.
• Strong understanding of health & safety standards (IOSH or equivalent qualification desirable).
• Experience applying Lean Manufacturing / Six Sigma (Green Belt or higher preferred) to drive operational improvements.
• Demonstrated ability in planning, logistics, and operational performance tracking.
• Skilled in Excel reporting and data-driven decision making.
• Knowledge of RCA (Root Cause Analysis), Hazard Analysis, HACCP, and Food Safety.

What’s on Offer

• Competitive salary package (depending on experience).
• Monday to Friday - no weekend shift pattern.
• Opportunity to make a significant impact within a leading food manufacturer.
• A culture that values continuous improvement, collaboration, and people development.
• Career development and progression opportunities.

Ideally we are looking for people with chilled food manufacturing experience