Operations Manager

Zertus UK & Ireland; Navan; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A premium chocolate company in Navan seeks an Operations Manager to lead transformative change and enhance operational efficiency. This role involves collaborating across teams, managing key metrics, and driving innovation. Ideal for candidates with a background in operations leadership and a passion for meaningful change. Competitive benefits include an annual bonus and generous leave policy.

Benefits

Annual bonus plan up to 10%

24 days of annual leave

Employee Assistance Programme

Death In Service Benefit

Company Pension Plan

Training and Development Opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven experience in operations leadership role with focus on transformation.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and managing complex projects.
• Track record of delivering measurable improvements.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage direct labour and materials usage.
• Collaborate with department heads to identify inefficiencies.
• Monitor and report on key KPIs for continuous improvement.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Data-driven mindset

Excellent communication

Change management

Team leadership

Job description

Overview

Lir Chocolates, Navan, County Meath, Ireland

Are you ready to lead real change? We’re seeking a results-driven and process orientated Operations Manager to play a pivotal role in transforming our business for the future. We’re on a mission to reimagine how we work, and we need someone who thrives in dynamic, fast-paced environments and is passionate about driving meaningful change. As our Operations Manager, you’ll be at the heart of a critical transformation journey. Reporting to the Site Director you’ll take the lead in establishing robust processes, improving operational efficiency, and embedding a performance-driven culture across the business. You’ll work cross-functionally at site and with the UK Team to identify opportunities, implement solutions, and deliver measurable results.

Position type Full time, permanent

Hours 40 hours per week

Shift Pattern Monday - Friday

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage Direct labour and Materials Usage.
• Collaborate with department heads to identify inefficiencies and implement processes to standardise working practices
• Introduce and embed new systems, technologies, and performance metrics
• Monitor and report on key KPIs to ensure continuous improvement
• Build and lead high-performing teams with a focus on accountability and innovation
• Build a culture of agility, responsiveness, and data-driven decision-making
• Proven experience in an operations leadership role, ideally with a focus on transformation or change management
• Strong strategic thinking with hands-on execution capabilities
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and managing complex projects
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Data-driven mindset with a track record of delivering measurable improvements
• Comfortable challenging the status quo and driving innovation

Qualifications & Experience

• Demonstrated experience in an operations leadership role with transformation or change management focus
• Strong strategic thinking paired with hands-on execution
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and managing complex projects
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Data-driven mindset with a track record of delivering measurable improvements

What We Offer

• Annual bonus plan up to 10% of salary per year (subject to meeting criteria).
• Begin with 24 days of annual leave, progressively increasing by an extra day each year until you reach 25 days, in addition to public holidays.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Death In Service Benefit.
• Company Pension Plan at 1.5%
• Family friendly policies, such as 12 weeks of paid maternity leave after one year of service.
• Annual engagement calendar, volunteering days and wellbeing events.
• Monthly employee recognition scheme via the ‘Zertus Values Awards’
• Recruitment Refer a Friend rewards.
• Training and Development Opportunities (Leadership courses, External qualifications, Professional memberships).

At Lir Chocolates, we craft premium, hand-finished chocolates for some of the world’s most iconic brands, including Baileys, Guinness, and The Famous Grouse. From our two state-of-the-art facilities in Navan, County Meath, we blend traditional recipes with bold innovation to create award-winning chocolates enjoyed by retailers and consumers globally. We’re part of the Zertus Group, a European network headquartered in Hamburg, with over 2,000 colleagues across the continent. Within our division, we operate under Zertus UK & Ireland, partnering with Kinnerton Confectionery and Humdinger Ltd - the masterminds behind other famous brands like Kinnerton Kids, NOMO, Sun Valley Nuts, and The Fruit Factory.

Lir Chocolates are an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

To apply, please submit your CV and complete our short application questions. If shortlisted, you will be contacted by a member of our Talent Team for an initial phone call. Successful candidates will then progress to a two-stage interview process, which will include a site tour.