Operations Manager

Operations Manager

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Operations Manager

About Us

From our sites in Lincoln, Scotland and the Southwest, we supply some of the largest retail, wholesale and food manufacturing customers in the UK. Our expertise goes much further than just supply and demand. We offer our customers real innovation, whether developing new potato varieties, packaging solutions or cutting-edge processes.

The Role

As the Operations Manager in the Fresh Factory, you will provide frontline leadership across the business in a fast-paced environment. This is a key leadership role responsible for overseeing all site operations, while driving continuous improvement through effective change management, process optimisation, and the full utilisation of departmental resources. You will play a vital role in achieving business objectives by ensuring operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and exceptional customer service.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all site operations, ensuring compliance with Branston Health & Safety and Quality policies.
• Manage production planning and operational flow to meet customer specifications and business requirements.
• Oversee labour planning, agency management, and cost control, ensuring KPI performance against budget and operational standards.
• Manage raw material planning, availability, utilisation, and yield performance.
• Maximise asset utilisation through effective maintenance planning while minimising downtime.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of the site to achieve strategic and operational objectives.
• Lead compliance with industry standards and audit requirements, including FEMAS, BRC, TFMS, CCPs, GMP, customer complaints, non-conformances, and audit readiness.
• Manage customer service levels to agreed business targets while developing positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Plan and coordinate labour, materials, and equipment to maximise productivity and operational efficiency.
• Drive profitability by monitoring operational KPIs, implementing action plans, and reporting performance through daily, weekly, and monthly review processes.
• Identify and deliver continuous improvement opportunities through performance improvement plans (PIPs), operational projects, and capital investment initiatives.
• Lead the development, implementation, and compliance of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), ensuring training requirements are met and building robust cross-functional capability across critical control points and core operational skills.
• Work collaboratively with Fresh, Despatch, Supply Chain, Prepared/B2B, Technical, NPD, Hygiene, Engineering, HR, Finance, suppliers, and contractors to support operational excellence.
• Demonstrate Branston''s-How We Do Business-values and behaviours in all aspects of leadership and decision-making.

Skills & Experience

• Previous experience within a food manufacturing environment.
• Proven leadership experience managing operational teams within a manufacturing environment.
• In-depth understanding of production planning, operational performance, health & safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Financial and budgeting experience, including labour and operational cost management.
• Ability to analyse operational KPIs and implement effective improvement plans.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Excellent communication, organisational, and people management skills.

Benefits

• Company bonus scheme
• Enhanced pension contributions
• Private Health Insurance
• Life Assurance & critical illness cover
• Electric salary sacrifice car scheme
• Refer a friend scheme
• Family fun events

If you are an experience and proactive Operations Manager with a passion for problem solving, continuous improvement, food manufacturing, and developing high-performing teams and who thrives in a fast-paced environment, we''d love to hear from you.