Operations Lead

Overview

In this role you drive safe, compliant production and targeted performance improvements at a site level. You align manufacturing with quality, safety and sustainability goals, leading cross-functional teams to deliver on production plans and continuous improvement. You shape a culture of accountability, learning, and high performance while working with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain and other site functions. This is a hands-on leadership role at the heart of site operations with a focus on measurable outcomes and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Improve safety, quality, service, cost, people and sustainability metrics across the site
• Deliver production plans with improved efficiency and reliability
• Develop a pipeline of continuous improvement projects with measurable benefits
• Enhance audit readiness and compliance performance
• Develop and engage a capable manufacturing team
• Foster a culture of accountability, ownership and continuous learning
• Build high-performing, inclusive teams; coach operational leaders and frontline staff
• Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, HR and other site functions
• Lead safety-first culture and proactive risk management; ensure regulatory and standards compliance
• Lead day-to-day operations to meet production and customer service commitments; drive OTIF, OEE, yield, waste and productivity
• Develop and execute a site continuous improvement roadmap; lead Lean initiatives and problem-solving
• Deliver measurable improvements in efficiency, reliability, quality and cost performance
• Lead incident investigations and implement effective corrective actions
• Provide operational insight and strategic input to Site Leadership Team
• Ensure resources, equipment, materials, and people align with business demand

Key requirements

• Degree qualified or equivalent experience in Manufacturing, Engineering, Food Science or related discipline
• Significant leadership experience in food, beverage, pharmaceutical or regulated manufacturing
• Proven track record of operational performance in complex manufacturing
• Strong understanding of health & safety, quality, food safety, and environmental requirements
• Experience leading Lean, Continuous Improvement and transformation initiatives
• Strong analytical and commercial mindset with data-driven decision ability
• Experience managing production planning, resource utilization and performance
• Outstanding people leadership, coaching and stakeholder management
• IOSH or NEBOSH qualification
• HACCP/Food Safety Level 3 certification
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or equivalent
• Experience with SAP or similar ERP systems
• Project leadership with measurable business benefits

• Strong leadership and coaching capabilities
• Stakeholder management and collaboration
• Proactive risk management and safety focus
• Lean, Six Sigma and continuous improvement methodologies
• Operational excellence and problem-solving (structured)
• SAP or ERP systems

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