Operations Director – Food Manufacturing

Our client is a fast-growing food manufacturing SME entering an exciting next phase of scale, and we’re looking for an experienced Operations Director to lead their factory operations and end-to-end supply chain.

This is a senior, hands-on role reporting to the Board with real ownership and influence over how the business scales.

What you’ll do

✔ Lead and optimise factory operations (production, planning, engineering, H&S)

✔ Own the end-to-end food supply chain, from raw materials to customer delivery

✔ Ensure excellence in food safety, quality and compliance (BRCGS / SALSA / HACCP)

✔ Build scalable systems, processes and KPIs to support rapid growth

✔ Drive continuous improvement across cost, quality, service and margin

✔ Lead, develop and inspire high-performing operational teams

What we’re looking for

Proven experience as an Operations Director / Head of Operations in food manufacturing

Strong factory leadership background in a chilled, ambient or frozen environment

Deep understanding of food safety, technical standards and audits

End-to-end supply chain expertise

Comfortable operating in an SME scale-up — pragmatic, commercial and hands-on

Why join?

✨ A pivotal leadership role with real autonomy

✨ Opportunity to shape and scale a growing food business

✨ Collaborative, entrepreneurial culture

✨ Competitive package