HPRExecutive
Site Director - Food
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Operations Director - Food Manufacturing
Location: Dual site - West Country
Salary: £100,000-140,000 + car allowance + bonus + benefits
A growing, premium food manufacturing business is seeking an Operations Director to lead and optimise its end-to-end manufacturing function during an exciting period of expansion.
Operating within the ambient food category and supplying major retail and foodservice customers through branded and third party manufacturing goods, the business is focused on scaling production capability, improving operational efficiency, and strengthening customer service performance.
About the Role
This is a pivotal leadership role with full accountability for manufacturing, engineering, and operational delivery.
Responsibilities
Reporting into the business CEO, you will take ownership of the operational function, ensuring that sales growth is supported by robust manufacturing execution, strong supply chain discipline, and best-in-class service levels. The remit includes:
- 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 and customer support where required
This function is responsible for turning commercial opportunity into operational reality — delivering safe, compliant, high-quality food products on time and in full, while maintaining margin discipline.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
- Lead all operational matters across food manufacturing and supply chain
- Ensure OTIF performance and service levels meet retailer expectations
- Oversee manufacturing to ensure food safety, quality, and efficiency standards are met
- Drive continuous improvement across production planning, inventory management, and logistics
- Lead Sales & Operations Planning processes to align forecast, capacity, and supply
- Own operational budgets, cost control, and working capital performance (including stock and aged WIP)
- Deliver weekly operational and financial forward-looking reporting
- Ensure full compliance with food safety, hygiene, and regulatory standards
- Collaborate closely with Technical, NPD, and Commercial teams to support product launches
- Lead capital investment planning and operational infrastructure development
- Manage procurement strategy to protect margin and ensure supply continuity
- Recruit, develop, and mentor high-performing operational teams
- Implement lean manufacturing and supply chain best practices
- Resolve complex operational or customer service challenges with pace and accountability
- Create a strong succession plan for all key roles
The Person
We are seeking a senior operations leader with deep experience in food manufacturing.
- Degree educated (engineering, food manufacturing, supply chain, or related discipline)
- 10+ years’ experience within food manufacturing or FMCG production environments
- Strong understanding of ambient food production and co-manufacturing models
- Experience managing retailer-facing supply chains
- Demonstrable success delivering operational efficiency and cost improvement
- Strong commercial and financial acumen
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
You will demonstrate:
- Strategic oversight with strong operational detail orientation
- Deep understanding of S&OP and demand planning within food environments
- Experience leading multi-disciplinary operational teams
- High standards around food safety, compliance, and quality
- Ability to operate at pace in a growing business
- Strong analytical capability and structured problem solving
- A hands-on leadership style with clear accountability
Experience within branded and private label food supply would be highly advantageous.
Why Consider This Role?
- Full operational ownership within a scaling food manufacturer
- Opportunity to strengthen manufacturing and supply chain capability
- Direct influence on growth trajectory and customer performance
- High visibility within a lean, ambitious leadership team
- Platform for future progression within a growing food group
This opportunity will suit a commercially astute, operationally disciplined leader who understands the complexities of food manufacturing and thrives on delivering performance in a growth environment.
How to Apply
To apply, please email your CV to kate.hamilton@hprtalent.com
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location