65 Best food production Jobs in Cardiff (July 2026)

Head of Production

6 days ago

Whitchurch

Accredited meat processing background – raw pet food manufacturing At The Nutriment Company we are entrepreneurs, visionaries and doers. We operate in one of the fastest growing segments of FMCG right now - pet food - and we are proud to be Europe's leading company within the natural premium segment. Our headquarters are in Stockholm and Düsseldorf, and we currently have 850+ employees spread across Europe. We generate 250+ million EUR turnover with strong profitability, and we are owned by the Nordic private equity company Axcel. At The Nutriment Company, we have a highly motivated, ambitious, and fun team that aspires to take our company to the next level, as we expand at pace through both organic growth and acquisitions across Europe. We are now looking for a Head of Production to lead operations at our facilities across the UK. Reporting directly to the Vice President of Operations UK, this is a hands‑on leadership role for someone who has come up through the meat processing industry and understands it from the inside – the hygiene disciplines, the quality systems, the pace, and the cost pressures. You genuinely enjoy getting into the detail while also knowing when to zoom out. You will own the full production picture – planning, efficiency, people, and the ambition to become best‑in‑class operations. Think of it as being the engine room of a fast‑moving, quality‑first business that takes great pride in what it makes • Own the full production operation at Laverstoke Park Farm (our leading UK production site), from raw material intake through to despatch – setting throughput targets, managing shift patterns, and ensuring output meets the demands of a fast‑growing business without compromising on product quality., • Lead all food safety and hygiene programmes across the meat processing operation – including HACCP plans, GMP standards, zoning protocols, and pathogen control – Building to full compliance with BRC, SALSA, and ensuring full compliance with relevant APHA/FSA regulatory requirements for approved raw meat handling establishments., • Drive quality management across the production process – from incoming raw material inspection and supplier specification adherence, through in‑process controls (temperature, weight, contamination), to finished goods release. Own non‑conformance investigation and corrective action processes, and build a quality culture where every person on the floor takes ownership, • Own the site cost base for production – labour efficiency, yield management, waste reduction, and packaging costs. Understand the true cost per kg at each stage of the process and drive continuous improvement in conversion efficiency, • Manage and develop the production team, building capability at every level from team leaders to operatives. Set clear expectations, run structured performance conversations, and create an environment where high standards and accountability are the norm, • Set the tone on health & safety – ensuring the site meets all statutory obligations, conducting regular risk assessments and safety audits, and driving a genuine safety‑first culture. In a meat processing environment this is non‑negotiable, • Align production goals with the broader company strategy, working closely with Supply Chain, Commercial, and Finance leadership to translate business ambition into operational reality. You have built your career in meat processing and you are proud of it. You understand the unique demands of running an approved, accredited site, the hygiene disciplines, the regulatory scrutiny, the pressure to hit yield while maintaining quality and you bring that expertise with authority. You lead from the front, you know how to bring a team through change, and you are as comfortable on the cutting floor as you are presenting to senior leadership. • Substantial hands‑on experience in an accredited meat processing or raw protein manufacturing environment – this is essential, not desirable., • Deep knowledge of food safety and hygiene management in a meat processing context – HACCP development and maintenance, prerequisite programmes, GMP enforcement, pest control, and microbiological monitoring. Experience managing BRC or SALSA audits is expected; experience holding or working towards BRC Higher Level is a strong advantage, • A proven track record of driving efficiency and yield improvement in a protein or raw material processing environment – you understand yield loss by cut or process stage, you know how to measure it properly, and you have a track record of improving it., • Strong commercial and cost management capability – you are comfortable owning a production P&L, tracking cost per unit, managing labour budgets, and making the right trade‑offs between throughput, waste, and quality. You can hold your own in a financial conversation with senior leadership., • Strong grip on production planning in a chilled or frozen raw materials environment – scheduling across multiple lines or shifts, managing raw material intake windows, coordinating with purchasing and supply chain to keep waste and stock risk low, • A natural communicator who can align cross‑functional stakeholders and keep things moving, • Comfortable working in a group structure with multiple business units and a fast‑evolving agenda, • A genuinely impactful role – you will shape how our UK operations run today and for the next chapter, • The backing of a well‑resourced, PE‑backed group with real ambition to be the best in class, • Exposure to senior leadership and a seat at the table when it matters, • Competitive salary and benefits package If this sounds like a role for you, please send us your CV already today and no later than Aug 7h. Interviews are ongoing and the position may be filled before the closing date. For questions about the role, please reach out to Head of HR: mette.schneider@nutriment.com #J-18808-Ljbffr

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