Talent Guardian
Head of Operations
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We’re recruiting a commercially minded and hands-on Head of Operations to lead the day-to-day running of a growing food and drink manufacturing facility in Farnham.
This is a senior leadership position covering the full production operation, from manufacturing and bottling through to warehousing. You’ll combine strategic planning with a visible presence on the factory floor, ensuring products are manufactured safely, efficiently and to the highest standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead daily production operations across all shifts, ensuring labour, equipment and materials are used efficiently
- Plan production alongside the supply chain team to meet customer demand and manage capacity
- Lead and develop a large, multi-disciplinary production team
- Troubleshoot operational issues and lead problem-solving directly on the factory floor
- Maintain high standards across food safety, quality, HACCP, GMP and health and safety
- Implement continuous improvement initiatives to reduce waste, improve efficiency and increase output
- Manage labour efficiency, overtime, production costs and operational budgets
- Develop and monitor KPIs covering output, waste, downtime and service levels
- Support recruitment, onboarding and training across the production team
- Work closely with Planning, Purchasing, Quality and Logistics
- Support the continued growth and scaling of the manufacturing operation
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About You
- Significant experience in a senior production or operations leadership role within food or drink manufacturing
- Proven experience managing end-to-end manufacturing operations across multiple departments
- Strong track record of leading and developing large, shift-based teams
- Experience driving continuous improvement and improving manufacturing efficiency
- Confident managing production KPIs, labour costs and operational budgets
- Strong knowledge of HACCP, GMP and food safety legislation
- Experience supporting customer, regulatory or third-party audits
- A visible, hands-on leader who is equally comfortable on the factory floor and working with senior leadership
- Calm under pressure, commercially aware and solutions focused
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A degree in Business Management, Food Science, Engineering or a related subject is required, alongside a Level 3 or higher HACCP or food safety qualification. An IOSH Managing Safely qualification or equivalent would be advantageous.
A full UK driving licence is also required.
This is an excellent opportunity to take ownership of a growing manufacturing operation and play a key role in developing its people, processes and future capabilities.
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