Operations Manager - Food Manufacturing

The Opportunity

We've partnered with a fast-growing UK food manufacturer in the premium start-up space, already producing for retailers, brands and foodservice customers nationwide. Exciting change has been happening over the last twelve months, with the next twelve expected to be equally as ambitious - including building and launching D2C food brands as well as expanding their manufacturing capabilities.

Right now, they’re small team and need a talented Operations Manager who can build structure and processes into the business so that they can scale rapidly. As the company grows, so will your responsibility. This is a rare opportunity to join a business at an early stage and play a key role in building its operational infrastructure from the ground up.

The Role

This role reports to the Founder, overseeing the in-house manufacturing operations, taking accountability for everything under the Operations umbrella. You will be instrumental in delivering changes within production to optimise product and processes as well as improving cost control. You will manage a very small team whose talents you will nurture and galvanise to ensure operations run smoothly with maximum efficiency. Quality and compliance will be up there on your agenda as you will be championing a culture of safety, best practice and the highest manufacturing standards.

You’ll be naturally curious, constantly looking at ways to improve, rather than just maintaining the status quo. You’ll build operating procedures and KPI’s from the ground up, making them easy to follow and not letting the details slip along the way. You’ll know the difference between a process that looks good on paper and one that survives contact with a real factory floor.

Some exciting projects on your plate will be to help scale the manufacturing site, build teams and facilitate the development and launch of fabulous new products for the company’s new brands.

The Person

We’re looking for a talented Operations professional who thrives in a rapidly changing environment and has the agility to flex from supporting strategic project to being hands on in the factory. You’ll have a real passion for food and whichever category you’re in, you fully immerse yourself in the product and process to truly understand it, along with all the nuances that take a product from being good to absolutely outstanding.

Previous experience of working within food manufacturing where you have helped build and scale processes and procedures would be ideal. This can be from a larger business where you can take your experience into a new setting, or you could already be working for a start-up / challenger brand and know exactly what is needed.

You must relish challenges, are quick to find solutions and be a leader who will get things done. Resourceful, nimble, confident, commercially astute and values driven – these traits are a must for success in this business.

Your contribution will be visible, your learning curve will be steep, and your career progression will be accelerated. There's a genuine path from here to Head of Ops as the business grows. Happy to consider talented candidates at all levels, in any food sector, although bakery / confectionery / snacks would be great to have.

If you’re looking for a role where the systems and processes are already in place, this isn't it. If you want to build them yourself, with real ownership from day one, this could be an exciting career move for you.

If this sounds like your kind of blank page, we'd like to hear from you.

Please apply or call Jessica or Dhrutee on 0345 2600 737 // 07700 137 110 to find out more.

Ref: 6989

---

Thank you for sharing your experience with us. Because of the volume of applications our roles attract, it takes us a little time to review everyone properly and give each person fair consideration. We aim to come back to you within 5 working days, and if you haven't heard from us by then, please take that as meaning your application hasn't gone forward this time.

We want you to bring your genuine self to the process, so if you need any adjustments, physical or otherwise, to help you through the application or interview, just tell us and we'll put them in place.

At Blue Spark Organisation we believe in authenticity, individuality and inclusion. Everyone who applies to us, now or in future, belongs at the table. We're committed to treating people with respect and appreciation, so they can show up as themselves, regardless of background, appearance, sexual orientation or beliefs.

Please note that we can only accept and respond to applications from people with the right to work in the UK, including those holding a valid work visa.