Pilgrim's Europe
Operations Shift Manager, Operations Shift Manager
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Location: Ruskington
Working Hours - Monday to Friday - 14:00 - 23:00 (with flexibility)
Department: Operations
Reports to: Factory Manager
About The Role
We are looking for an experienced and driven Operations Manager to lead our Operational teams at Ruskington.
This is a senior leadership role with responsibility for delivering operational performance, developing high-performing teams, and ensuring the site consistently meets its targets across safety, quality, service, cost, and people. You will play a key role in shaping the future of the operation, driving continuous improvement, and fostering a culture of accountability, engagement, and excellence.
As a visible leader on site, you will champion both Quality and Food Safety, ensuring the highest standards are maintained at all times.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of Managers to build capability and succession.
- Drive performance through clear objectives, regular feedback, and effective people management.
- Foster a positive, high-performance culture focused on engagement, accountability, and teamwork.
- Ensure all employees are trained, developed, and equipped to succeed.
- Deliver site KPIs across safety, quality, cost, delivery, and efficiency.
- Lead resource, capacity, and labour planning to optimise operational performance.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives across all production areas.
- Identify opportunities to improve productivity, reduce waste, and maximise profitability.
- Act as a visible ambassador for Quality and Food Safety.
- Ensure production areas remain audit-ready and compliant at all times.
- Lead investigations into quality and food safety issues using root cause analysis.
- Support customer audits, technical visits, HACCP activities, and continuous improvement programmes.
- Champion a culture where Safety is a Condition.
- Drive improvements in safety performance and environmental awareness.
- Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, standards, and company policies.
- Work closely with teams across Engineering, Technical, HR, Finance, Supply Chain, Sales, and Operations.
- Support customer relationships and site visits, showcasing operational excellence.
- Participate in key site leadership meetings to drive alignment and business results.
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What We're Looking For
- Proven experience in a senior operations or production leadership role within FMCG or food manufacturing
- Strong track record of delivering operational KPIs and driving continuous improvement
- Experience leading and developing large teams in a fast-paced environment
- Strong commercial awareness, including budgeting, labour management, and cost control
- Excellent communication, coaching, and stakeholder management skills
- Experience with lean manufacturing, 5S, and change management programmes
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Desirable Qualifications
- Degree qualified or equivalent
- Food Safety qualification
- IOSH Managing Safely
- HACCP
- TACCP
Why Join Us?
- Take on a highly visible leadership role with real influence over site performance.
- Lead large-scale operational and cultural improvement initiatives.
- Be part of a business committed to quality, food safety, and operational excellence.
- Develop and mentor future leaders while growing your own career.
- Work within a supportive leadership team focused on achieving ambitious goals.
- Join a business where your ideas, expertise, and leadership can make a lasting impact.
Ready to Lead from the Front?
If you're an experienced Operations Manager who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and is passionate about developing people, driving performance, and delivering results, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply now and help shape the future of operations at Ruskington.
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