Site Director - #2102328

Site Director – Food manufacturing

A rare opportunity to lead the transformation, growth and future direction of a strategically important food manufacturing operation.

There are very few Site Director opportunities that genuinely offer the chance to shape the future of a business both at operational & Board level; this is one of them.

We are seeking an exceptional manufacturing leader to take responsibility for a profitable, growing food manufacturing operation employing approximately 200 colleagues and supplying major customers.

The business has ambitious growth plans, significant capital investment committed, a clear long-term strategy and an opportunity to substantially enhance capability, performance and operational excellence over the coming years.

Reporting directly to the Managing Director and operating as a key member of the senior leadership team (Board), this role combines strategic leadership, operational excellence, organisational development & large-scale transformation.

The Business

The site is a well-established food manufacturing operation with a strong reputation, loyal workforce & long-standing customer relationships.

The business has performed strongly and continues to enjoy significant growth opportunities within the QSR & foodservice sectors.

Over the next five years the site is expected to play a pivotal role in delivering the organisation's growth ambitions and will benefit from a substantial multi-million-pound investment programme focused on facilities, equipment, infrastructure & operational capability.

The Challenge

The successful candidate will inherit a site with significant strengths but also clear opportunities for improvement.

Whilst commercial performance remains strong, the business recognises the need to further strengthen:

• Leadership capability.
• Accountability and ownership.
• Pace of decision making.
• Operational discipline.
• Continuous improvement culture.
• Engineering effectiveness.
• Cross-functional collaboration.
• Adoption of digital operational excellence tools.
• Future succession capability.

The site requires a leader who can simultaneously deliver today's operational requirements whilst building the capability required for tomorrow's growth.

This is a role for someone who enjoys creating clarity, structure and momentum within complex manufacturing environments.

The Opportunity

Lead a Significant Growth Agenda

• Support substantial revenue growth.
• Expand operational capability.
• Increase organisational capacity.
• Ensure the site is equipped to support future customer demand.

Deliver Major Investment Programmes

• Play a key leadership role in a significant capital investment programme.
• Support refurbishment and modernisation projects.
• Work closely with engineering, projects and supply chain teams.
• Ensure operational continuity throughout periods of change.

Build a High-Performing Leadership Team

• Develop capability across the site leadership team.
• Strengthen accountability and ownership.
• Create succession plans for key roles.
• Raise expectations and standards throughout the operation.

Drive Operational Excellence

• Improve performance management disciplines.
• Increase effectiveness of operational review processes.
• Enhance utilisation of digital factory systems and tools.
• Embed continuous improvement methodologies.
• Improve productivity, engagement and operational performance.

Shape Culture

• Create greater pace and energy.
• Foster collaboration across functions.
• Build confidence and capability.
• Develop a culture where individuals take ownership and make decisions.
• Lead through influence, visibility and credibility.

What Success Will Look Like

• Established yourself as a trusted and respected leader.
• Created a clear vision for the site.
• Improved leadership capability.
• Increased accountability at all levels.
• Enhanced operational discipline and standards.
• Driven meaningful progress against operational excellence objectives.
• Supported key investment projects.
• Positioned the site for sustainable future growth.

About You

You are an accomplished manufacturing leader with a proven track record of delivering results through people.

You understand that transformation is not achieved through process alone, it is achieved through leadership.

You are likely to bring:

• Degree educated or equivalent
• Significant food manufacturing experience.
• Site Director, Site General Manager, Operations Director or equivalent leadership experience.
• Experience leading complex manufacturing operations.
• Strong engineering and operational understanding.
• Experience delivering change and transformation.
• A track record of improving standards and performance.
• Experience developing leadership teams.
• Strong stakeholder management skills.
• Experience operating within matrix structures.
• Customer-facing credibility.
• Commercial awareness and business acumen.

Most importantly, you possess the leadership presence, resilience and emotional intelligence required to lead a business through significant growth and change.

Particularly Relevant Experience Could Include

• Food manufacturing.
• Chilled, ambient or ingredients manufacturing.
• Operational Excellence programmes.
• Lean manufacturing environments.
• Continuous Improvement leadership.
• Redzone or equivalent connected workforce platforms.
• Major capital investment programmes.
• Culture change initiatives.

Leadership Style Required

• Set high standards.
• Hold people accountable.
• Develop capability.
• Build trust.
• Influence stakeholders.
• Challenge constructively.
• Lead visible change.
• Bring people with them on the journey.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Significant strategic influence.
• Direct exposure to senior leadership and board-level decision making.
• The opportunity to lead a major transformation agenda.
• Responsibility for a strategically important manufacturing operation.
• Substantial investment backing.
• Long-term career potential.
• The opportunity to create a lasting legacy.

Confidential enquiries are welcomed and will be handled with complete discretion.