Operations Manager; Food Manufacturing

Are you an experienced food manufacturing leader looking for your next challenge?

Our client, a successful and highly respected food manufacturer based in Dorset, is seeking an experienced Operations Manager / Senior Production Manager to lead the business through an exciting period of growth and positive change.

You will take overall responsibility for site operations, be accountable for delivering high-quality products that meet customer demand while operating within budget, maintaining the highest standards of health, safety, food safety, quality, and compliance.

This is an opportunity for a leader who is passionate about developing people, driving operational excellence, and delivering continuous improvement within a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.

• Lead day-to-day manufacturing operations to ensure production targets, quality standards, and customer requirements are consistently achieved.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to increase productivity, efficiency, and operational performance.
• Ensure full compliance with health and safety, food safety, quality, and company standards.
• Manage operational budgets and take full responsibility for P&L performance.
• Monitor and improve KPIs across safety, quality, productivity, cost, delivery, and people development.
• Build and develop a high-performing, engaged workforce through effective leadership, coaching, and mentoring.
• Lead business change initiatives and support the company's continued growth strategy.
• Work collaboratively with the Senior Management Team to deliver business objectives and enhance operational performance.

• Significant senior management experience within a food manufacturing environment.
• A strong, confident, and inspirational leadership style.
• Proven success in leading operational teams to achieve business and commercial objectives.
• Demonstrable experience with full P&L responsibility.
• Strong commercial awareness and business acumen.
• Experience leading organisational change and continuous improvement programmes.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.

• Competitive salary, dependent on experience.
• Attractive benefits package.
• Monday to Friday, site-based role, with flexibility to oversee weekend production when required.
• Excellent opportunities for career development and progression within a growing business.
• Join a company recently recognised with an Employer of the Year award, reflecting its commitment to its people and workplace culture.
• Mach Recruitment is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.