Head of Operations

Monday to Friday 9am - 5:30pm Based in Farnham We’re recruiting a commercially minded and hands-on Head of Operations to lead the day-to-day running of a growing food and drink manufacturing facility in Farnham. This is a senior leadership position covering the full production operation, from manufacturing and bottling through to warehousing. You’ll combine strategic planning with a visible presence on the factory floor, ensuring products are manufactured safely, efficiently and to the highest standards.

Key Responsibilities Lead daily production operations across all shifts, ensuring labour, equipment and materials are used efficiently Plan production alongside the supply chain team to meet customer demand and manage capacity Lead and develop a large, multi-disciplinary production team Troubleshoot operational issues and lead problem-solving directly on the factory floor Maintain high standards across food safety, quality, HACCP, GMP and health and safety Implement continuous improvement initiatives to reduce waste, improve efficiency and increase output Manage labour efficiency, overtime, production costs and operational budgets Develop and monitor KPIs covering output, waste, downtime and service levels Support recruitment, onboarding and training across the production team Work closely with Planning, Purchasing, Quality and Logistics Support the continued growth and scaling of the manufacturing operation About You Significant experience in a senior production or operations leadership role within food or drink manufacturing Proven experience managing end-to-end manufacturing operations across multiple departments Strong track record of leading and developing large, shift-based teams Experience driving continuous improvement and improving manufacturing efficiency Confident managing production KPIs, labour costs and operational budgets Strong knowledge of HACCP, GMP and food safety legislation Experience supporting customer, regulatory or third-party audits A visible, hands-on leader who is equally comfortable on the factory floor and working with senior leadership Calm under pressure, commercially aware and solutions focused A degree in Business Management, Food Science, Engineering or a related subject is required, alongside a Level 3 or higher HACCP or food safety qualification.

An IOSH Managing Safely qualification or equivalent would be advantageous. A full UK driving licence is also required. This is an excellent opportunity to take ownership of a growing manufacturing operation and play a key role in developing its people, processes and future capabilities.