Head of Operations

Overview

In this role, you will own the end-to-end operations for a fast-growing food manufacturing business, reporting to the CEO and serving on the Senior Leadership Team. You will shape and execute the operational strategy to enable rapid, sustainable growth across production, warehousing, inventory, dispatch and logistics. You will lead cross-functional improvements, build robust capacity, and maintain high standards for safety, quality and cost. The opportunity combines hands-on leadership on the factory floor with strategic influence at board level to drive scalable performance and transformation.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across production, warehousing, inventory, dispatch and logistics
• Develop and implement the operational strategy to support rapid and sustainable growth
• Build capacity plans for labour, shifts, equipment, production capability, storage and transport
• Ensure performance meets safety, quality, service, efficiency, waste and cost targets
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives across end-to-end operation
• Establish KPIs and accountability across operational teams
• Develop and strengthen the management team with clear ownership
• Collaborate with CEO and SLT on commercial, financial and strategic decisions
• Support major customer launches, change programmes and capital investment projects
• Ensure the operation is structured and resourced for future growth
• Maintain hands-on leadership on the factory floor while engaging in strategic discussions
• Identify operational risks and opportunities and develop practical solutions

Key requirements

• Senior leadership experience within food manufacturing
• Accountability across production, warehousing, inventory, stock control, dispatch and logistics
• Capacity planning experience across labour, shifts, equipment, storage and transport
• Proven track record of scaling, transforming or significantly improving operations
• Strong control of health & safety, quality, customer service, labour efficiency, waste and cost
• Commercial and financial awareness with understanding of profitability impact of operational decisions
• Proven people leadership and development of managers and teams
• Ability to balance hands-on factory floor style with SLT-level strategic input

• data-driven
• proactive
• solutions-focused
• capacity planning
• end-to-end operations management
• health & safety compliance

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