Head of Operations

Sofina Foods Europe; Tullamore; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Sofina Foods Europe seeks a Head of Operations to lead a large-scale pork manufacturing site in Ireland, driving safety, quality, service and financial performance.

You will shape site strategy, build high-performing teams and spearhead continuous improvement across operations, engineering, planning and supply chain. This senior role requires strong leadership, change management and a track record of delivering productivity gains.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience within FMCG or food manufacturing.
• Experience managing large-scale manufacturing operations with full accountability.
• Experience in fresh meat, pork processing or high-care food manufacturing environments.
• Strong understanding of food safety, HACCP and BRCGS standards.
• Experience leading cross-functional leadership teams across operations, technical, engineering and supply chain.
• Demonstrable experience delivering operational improvement and cost reduction programmes.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen including budget management and P&L.

Responsibilities

• Lead the overall site strategy and translate business objectives into clear operational priorities.
• Drive performance across manufacturing, technical, engineering, planning, people and commercial functions.
• Deliver operational excellence across safety, quality, cost, service and people metrics.
• Champion a culture of food safety, quality and regulatory compliance.
• Lead development and execution of continuous improvement programmes to enhance productivity and reduce waste.
• Oversee site budgets, financial performance and cost improvement initiatives.
• Lead major projects, capital investments and site development initiatives.
• Act as a visible and inspiring leader, creating a culture of accountability and high performance.

Job description

Lead Operational Excellence Across a Major Pork Manufacturing Site

Role Overview

As Head of Operations, you will have overall responsibility for the performance of a large-scale manufacturing operation, leading the site to deliver excellence in safety, quality, service, people and financial performance.

This is a senior leadership role where you will shape site strategy, inspire high-performing teams and drive continuous improvement across all aspects of the operation. Working closely with the wider business leadership team, you will ensure the site is well-positioned to meet current demands while building capability for future growth.

Leading a multi-disciplinary leadership team, you will balance strategic thinking with hands-on operational leadership, creating a culture focused on accountability, engagement and operational excellence.

Key Duties

• Lead the overall site strategy, translating business objectives into clear operational priorities.
• Drive performance across manufacturing, technical, engineering, planning, people and commercial functions.
• Deliver operational excellence across safety, quality, cost, service and people metrics.
• Champion a culture of food safety, quality and compliance throughout the site.
• Lead the development and execution of continuous improvement programmes that enhance productivity, reduce waste and improve efficiencies.
• Ensure manufacturing operations remain agile and responsive to changing business requirements.
• Oversee site budgets, financial performance and cost improvement initiatives.
• Build strong partnerships across the business to support operational delivery and long-term growth.
• Lead major projects, capital investments and site development initiatives.
• Act as a visible and inspiring leader, creating a culture of accountability, engagement and high performance.

The Ideal Candidate

We're looking for an accomplished manufacturing leader with significant experience managing complex food production operations and leading large teams through change, growth and performance improvement.

You will have:

• Extensive senior leadership experience within FMCG or food manufacturing.
• Proven success leading large-scale manufacturing operations with full accountability for operational performance.
• Experience within fresh meat, pork processing or other high-care food manufacturing environments.
• Strong understanding of food safety, quality and regulatory compliance, including HACCP and BRCGS standards.
• Experience leading cross-functional leadership teams across operations, technical, engineering, supply chain and support functions.
• Demonstrable experience delivering operational improvement, productivity gains and cost reduction programmes.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, including budget management and P&L responsibility.
• Experience leading audits, compliance programmes and customer-facing manufacturing operations.
• Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A track record of developing people, building capability and creating high-performing cultures.

Why Join Sofina Foods?

This is an opportunity to take a leading role within one of Europe's largest food manufacturing businesses. You'll have the scope to shape strategy, influence performance and lead a significant operation producing high-quality products for customers.

You'll work alongside experienced leaders in a collaborative environment where continuous improvement, innovation and people development are at the heart of everything we do. In return, you'll have the opportunity to make a lasting impact while continuing to develop your own leadership career within a growing international business.

About Sofina

Sofina Foods is more than just a food company. It's a place where you can grow your career, learn new skills, and make a positive impact.

With a wide range of meat and seafood products that delight consumers worldwide, Sofina Foods is always looking for talented and passionate people to join its team of over 13,000 employees across 40 sites in Canada and Europe.

At Sofina Foods, you will be part of a culture that values innovation, quality, sustainability, and customer satisfaction. You will work with diverse and delicious products that are sourced responsibly and sustainably from over 50 different protein sources from 5 continents.

Our vision is to be the most successful food company in the world. If you are looking for a rewarding and exciting career in the food sector, Sofina Foods is the place for you.

Equal Opportunities

Sofina Foods is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We're committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences - regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation