Site Manager

NWF Group; Umberleigh; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK agricultural company seeks a senior operations leader for its Devon mill. You will be responsible for overseeing safe and efficient production while driving continuous improvements and managing a strong site leadership team. Ideal candidates will have significant leadership experience in the manufacturing industry, preferably food or feed, and a strong ability to foster a positive workplace culture. This role offers a competitive salary up to £80,000 along with various perks and progression opportunities.

Benefits

Up to £80,000 dependent on experience

Car allowance

20% bonus

33 days holiday including bank holidays

Extensive training opportunities

Discounts across shopping and dining

Company pension, life assurance and other benefits

Qualifications

• Proven experience in site leadership or senior operations roles within manufacturing.
• Knowledge of feed manufacturing processes and regulatory requirements.
• Ability to deliver performance improvement and cultural change.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all operations at the Devon mill and ensure safe and efficient production.
• Drive delivery of budgeted performance across production output and waste reduction.
• Lead and develop the site leadership team including the Operations Manager.

Skills

Proven experience in site leadership

Performance improvement

Effective people leader

Strong problem-solving skills

Team-building and communication skills

Education

Experience in manufacturing - feed or food industry

IOSH or NEBOSH certification

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Job Advert

Responsible for overseeing all operations at our Devon mill, ensuring safe, efficient, and high‑quality production. Reporting to the Operations Director and overseeing the Operations Manager this role is essential in stabilizing the site, improving governance, and unlocking long‑term value. The successful candidate will provide strategic oversight and accountability, aligning the structure with our other remote sites in Longtown and Aspatria.

Why NWF Agriculture?

• Up to £80,000 dependant on experience
• Car allowance
• 20% bonus
• Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm
• 33 days holiday including bank holidays with the option to buy more
• Extensive progression opportunities across the wider group that has 2 other businesses
• Extensive training opportunities with funded accredited courses
• Discounts across shopping, groceries, travel, entertainment, dining, days out, health & beauty and much more!
• Medicash
• Long service awards
• The usual: company pension, life assurance, cycle to work scheme, employee assistance programme, free refreshments, free on‑site parking

Day to Day

Leadership & Governance

• Act as the senior leader at Wixland Mill, responsible for site performance and culture.
• Lead and develop the site leadership team including the Operations Manager and functional leads.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement, teamwork, and professional development.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Own site H&S strategy and compliance. Ensure all statutory and company standards are met or exceeded.
• Provide visible leadership on safety, embedding a culture of continuous improvement and risk awareness.
• Ensure full compliance with UFAS, Trading Standards, EA and internal audit requirements.

Operational Performance

• Drive delivery of budgeted performance across production output, OEE, energy use, cost control, and waste reduction.
• Oversee short‑ and long‑term production planning and ensure the site is resourced effectively.
• Monitor and improve site KPIs, including safety, quality, service, and cost.

People & Culture

• Create a supportive, high‑performing environment through strong leadership presence, open communication, and employee engagement.
• Oversee the application of HR policies on site including grievance, disciplinary, performance management, and development.
• Support succession planning and skills development across the site.

Capital & Projects

• Lead site investment projects, including capex planning, business cases, and implementation.
• Collaborate with the Group Engineering Manager to deliver site infrastructure improvements.

What will you bring?

• Proven experience in site leadership or senior operations roles within manufacturing– feed or food industry would be advantageous.
• Proven experience of delivering performance improvement and cultural change.
• Knowledge of feed manufacturing processes, quality systems, and regulatory requirements.
• Effective people leader, with strong team‑building, communication and decision‑making skills.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills, able to think on feet and be proactive in managing issues that arise.
• IOSH or NEBOSH would be advantageous.
• Computer literate including Microsoft Office Suite.

Who are NWF Agriculture?

NWF Group comprises of 3 key businesses: NWF Fuels, NWF Agriculture & Boughey Distribution. Employing over 1,400 colleagues across the group, we encourage and empower our people to progress and move fluidly through the group, meaning the sky really is the limit when you join us!

What makes NWF Agriculture different?

We go beyond feeds – offering a wide range of technical services, including our unique laboratory service, enabling us to develop the correct nutrition for individual flocks and herds. We manufacture the highest quality dairy, beef and sheep feeds to over 4,750 farmers feeding one in six dairy cows across the nation! NWF Agriculture has grown organically to be the second biggest ruminant feed manufacturer in the UK and we want you to be part of it!

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.