Senior Operations Manager, Butter & Warehouse - Westbury Dairies UK

Arla foods; Westbury; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading dairy company based in the UK seeks a strategic Site Director to lead Butter Operations and manage warehouse teams. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong operational leadership within a manufacturing environment, ensuring safety and quality standards are met while driving continuous improvement initiatives. Degree qualification and experience with Total Performance Management or similar methodologies are required. This is an opportunity to shape the future of dairy in a collaborative culture.

Benefits

Competitive package

Annual Pay review

Employer pension matched up to 6%

X4 annual salary life assurance cover

Flexible benefits package

Subsidized staff canteen

Access to discounted products

Qualifications

• Experience in a fast-paced manufacturing company at senior management level.
• Demonstrated wealth of experience in operational leadership.
• Understanding of Total Performance Management, IL6S, or similar.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Butter Operations and Site Warehouse teams.
• Develop and implement ambitious operational business plans.
• Champion safety and quality standards.
• Ensure departmental activities meet company and legal requirements.
• Develop a 5-year operations strategy and support budget planning.

Skills

Ambitious leadership

Strong operational leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Continuous improvement

Lean manufacturing principles

Culture change

Education

Degree qualified in a relevant discipline

Tools

Digital tools implementation

Job description

Overview

Arla Westbury, BA13 4WD

Mon- Fri Days 37.5 hours per week

Benefits

• Competitive package
• Annual Pay review
• Employer pension matched up to 6% (12% total contributory)
• X4 annual salary life assurance cover
• Flexible Benefits- buy up to 5 days annual leave, reward gateway scheme- discounts with various retailers via my benefit platform.
• Subsidized staff canteen
• Access to discounted Arla products

Responsibilities

• Reporting into the Site Director, you will be a key member of the Site Leadership Team responsible for leading the Butter Operations and Site Warehouse teams. You’ll be responsible for developing and implementing ambitious operational business plans whilst heavily contributing to the wider site business goals.
• Arla is a global business and this is a great opportunity to work closely with peers across the UK and global network to maximise operational performance and share best practice.
• Oversee the butter production department and site warehouse operations including liaison with our external warehouse with approximately 120 direct and indirect reports, ensuring smooth and efficient operations.
• Champion a transformation in safety and quality standards, while actively contributing to broader site culture initiatives.
• Guarantee all departmental activities meet company, customer, and legal requirements.
• Act as a role model by implementing CI tools and best practices, fostering a zero-loss mindset across the team.
• Develop and execute a 5-year operations strategy, support budget planning, and lead CAPEX proposals with clear ROI analysis.

What will you need to succeed?

In order to succeed in this role you will need to be an ambitious, strategic and strong leader who has worked within a fast paced manufacturing company at senior management level. You will be able to demonstrate a wealth of experience in strong operational leadership with a deep understanding of continuous improvement, lean manufacturing principles, culture change and stakeholder engagement.

You will also need;

• Degree qualified or equivalent in a relevant discipline.
• Experience of leading either (Total Performance Management), IL6S (Integrated Lean Six Sigma), IWS (Integrate Works Systems) or similar
• Previous experience of implementing digital tools would be preferred but not essential

Want to apply?

Please apply using the link or reach out to Jessica Thwaite, Talent Partner at Arla Foods [e-mail]

The deadline for applications is 8th December 2025.

Shape the Future of Dairy

Arla is a global leader in the dairy industry, committed to enabling good food choices that make life better, providing people with natural, sustainable nourishment, while taking care at every step to ensure Arla is a choice they can feel good about. If you are looking to shape the future with an ambitious global cooperative that truly cares about your growth, where everyone feels valued and empowered, and collaboration is the core of culture, Arla is a choice you can feel good about.