Operations Manager

Operations Manager

Reporting To: Directors

Location: Ayrshire, Scotland (Single-Site Production Unit)

The Opportunity

Join a growing family-owned food production group at a pivotal time of significant investment and expansion. This role is based at one of our large, single-site facility specialising in both fresh and frozen food manufacturing.

We are seeking a professional and results-driven Operations Manager to lead our site operations. You will be instrumental in driving business, implementing process excellence and building a high-performing team to maximise productivity and efficiency as we continue to grow.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Excellence

• Customer Service: Maintain a passionate and committed focus on delivering exceptional standards of customer service and quality.
• Own the daily operations of the single-site food production facility, ensuring the efficient and effective manufacture of both fresh and frozen product lines.
• Cost Control and Reduction: Take direct responsibility for the control and reduction of costs across key operational metrics, including processing yields, labour, waste, giveaway, transport, and storage.
• Process Improvement & Problem Solving: Proactively coordinate and lead various process improvement initiatives, utilising structured problem-solving techniques to achieve demonstrable cost savings and operational gains.

Leadership, People Management & Communication

• People Management: Demonstrate a real passion for managing, motivating, and developing multi-disciplinary teams for maximum productivity and engagement. This includes performance reviews, career development, and fostering a positive, safety-first culture.
• Strong Leadership: Possess strong leadership skills and the ability to inspire, influence, and mentor teams across the facility.
• Excellent Communication: Exhibit excellent communication skills—the ability to communicate concisely and articulately at all levels, from the factory floor to senior leadership.
• Collaboration & Alignment: Foster an effective two-way communication flow throughout the facility, aiding collaborative thinking and strong teamwork across all functions and levels.
• Liaison: Report directly to the Directors and serve as the critical operational liaison with Production, Logistics, and Planning functions across the site.

Performance Management & Reporting

• KPI Management: Own the process of identifying, setting, and managing daily/weekly departmental KPI targets to ensure consistent measurement and management of business unit performance.
• Performance Analysis: Oversee and restructure daily operational KPI reporting, emphasising in-depth performance analysis. Use this analysis to clearly identify improvement areas and set robust action plans.
• Team Leadership: Chair and facilitate daily “Management Team Meetings” to effectively measure departmental and business KPIs, ensuring accountability and collaborative problem-solving.

Candidate Profile & Experience

• Good knowledge of manufacturing sector, ideally within food/FMCG
• Proven track record of business turnaround and successful implementation of complex process improvements.
• Demonstrable experience in cost control, waste reduction, and yield optimisation.
• People management and leadership skills with a focus on team motivation and development.
• Communication and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong understanding of operational reporting, performance analysis, and KPI management.
• A natural leader with interpersonal skills and the ability to inspire and develop cross-functional teams.

This is a full-time permanent position with a competitive salary based on experience.

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Prestwick KA9 2NS: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person