HPRExecutive
Director of Manufacturing
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Site Director - Food Manufacturing South Wales – relocation available £100,000–140,000 + car allowance, bonus & benefits
About the Role
A growing, premium food manufacturing business is seeking a Site Director to lead and optimise its end-to-end manufacturing function during a critical period of expansion. Operating within the ambient food category, the company supplies major retail and foodservice customers through both branded and third-party manufacturing goods. Focus is on scaling production capability, improving operational efficiency, and strengthening customer service performance.
This is a pivotal leadership role, offering full accountability for: Manufacturing Engineering Operational delivery
Key Responsibilities
Reporting directly to the CEO, this Senior Operations Leader will support sales growth by ensuring robust manufacturing execution, strong supply chain discipline, and best-in-class service levels.
Core Responsibilities Include:
- Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP)
- Contract manufacturing and co-packer management
- Branded goods
- Supply chain and demand planning
- Procurement and supplier performance
- Warehousing and distribution
- SHEQ and food safety governance
- Process improvement and operational excellence
- Field-based technical & customer support (where required)
Operational Delivery Focus
- Turn commercial opportunity into operational reality by delivering:
- Safe, compliant, high-quality food products on time and in full (OTIF)
- Margin discipline
- Lead all operational matters across food manufacturing and supply chain
- Ensure OTIF performance and service levels align with retailer expectations
- Oversee manufacturing to maintain:
- Food safety, quality, and efficiency
- Drive:
- Continuous improvement in production planning, inventory management & logistics
- Align forecast, capacity, and supply via Sales & Operations Planning
- Own operational budgets, cost control, and working capital performance, including:
- Stock management
- Aged Work-In-Progress (WIP) reduction
- Provide weekly operational & financial forward-looking reporting
- Determine full compliance with food safety, hygiene, and regulatory standards
- Collaborate closely with Technical, NPD, and Commercial teams for seamless product launches
- Lead capital investment planning and operational infrastructure development
- Develop procurement strategy to protect margins and ensure supply continuity
- Recruit, develop, and mentor high-performing operational teams
- Implement lean manufacturing and supply chain best practices
- Resolve complex operational/customer service challenges with speed and accountability
- Create a strong succession plan for all key roles
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Requirements & Qualifications
We are seeking a senior operations leader with:
Essential Experience & Qualifications
- Degree education in engineering, food manufacturing, supply chain, or a related discipline
- 10+ years’ experience in published food manufacturing or FMCG production environments
- Strong understanding of ambient food production and co-manufacturing models
- Proven success revamping operational efficiency and cost improvement
- Experience managing retailer-facing supply chains
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Core Competencies & Mindset
The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
- Strategic oversight with operational precision
- Deep S&OP and demand planning expertise (within food environments)
- Ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams
- Rigour in food safety, compliance, and quality standards
- Speed and influence in scaling businesses
- Strong analytical capability & problem-solving frameworks
- Hands-on leadership with clear accountability
- Advantageous: Experience in branded and private-label food supply
Why This Role?
You’ll thrive in a position with: ✔ Full operational ownership within a scaling food manufacturer ✔ Strong impact on growth trajectory and customer performance ✔ Direct influence within a lean, ambitious leadership team ✔ Pathway for future progression into a growing food group
Ideal for: Commercially astute, operationally disciplined leaders who understand food manufacturing challenges and excel in performance-driven environments.
To apply, email your CV to kate.hamilton@hprtalent.com
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