Head of Operations
9 days ago
Derby
Location: East-Midlands Reporting to: CEO Our client is looking to welcome an experienced Head of Operations to take overall responsibility for the operational performance of a fast-growing food manufacturing business. Reporting directly to the CEO and operating as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, this role will have end-to-end accountability across production, warehousing, inventory, dispatch and logistics. This is a pivotal role for an operational leader who can bring the structure, capability, commercial focus and operational discipline required to support significant growth. The successful candidate will ideally have a proven track record of scaling or transforming operations within a fast-paced, entrepreneurial SME environment. • Provide strategic and operational leadership across production, warehousing, inventory, dispatch and logistics., • Develop and implement the operational strategy required to support rapid and sustainable business growth., • Build robust capacity plans covering labour, shifts, equipment, production capability, storage and transport., • Ensure operational performance consistently meets the required standards for safety, quality, service, efficiency, waste and cost., • Lead continuous improvement initiatives across the end-to-end operation., • Establish clear performance measures, KPIs and accountability across operational teams., • Develop and strengthen the management team, creating a high-performing culture with clear ownership and responsibility., • Work closely with the CEO and wider SLT on commercial, financial and strategic decisions., • Support major customer launches, operational change programmes and capital investment projects., • Ensure the operation is appropriately structured, resourced and equipped to support future growth., • Maintain a strong presence on the factory floor, providing hands‑on leadership while operating effectively at strategic and board-level discussions., • Identify operational risks and opportunities proactively, developing practical solutions before issues become critical. The successful candidate will have: • Senior leadership experience within food manufacturing., • Proven accountability extending beyond production into warehousing, inventory, stock control, dispatch and logistics., • Strong experience of capacity planning across labour, shifts, equipment, storage and transport., • A demonstrable track record of successfully scaling, transforming or significantly improving an operation., • Strong operational control across health & safety, quality, customer service, labour efficiency, waste and cost., • Good commercial and financial understanding, with the ability to understand how operational decisions impact profitability and business performance., • Strong people leadership skills, with a track record of developing managers and building capable, accountable teams., • The credibility and practical understanding to lead effectively from the factory floor, combined with the strategic capability to operate as a member of the SLT., • Has worked within a growing, entrepreneurial SME, ideally in a high-paced food manufacturing environment., • Has experience supporting significant customer launches, business growth and/or major capital investment., • Is data-led, proactive and solutions-focused, using information to drive better operational decisions., • Brings structure and discipline without creating unnecessary bureaucracy., • Builds strong management capability rather than relying on constant firefighting., • Is commercially minded and understands the balance between service, growth, quality, people and profitability., • Is comfortable working at both a strategic level and getting directly involved in operational challenges when required., • Has the energy, resilience and leadership style needed to take an operation through a significant period of growth and change. #J-18808-Ljbffr