Operations Manager - Food Manufacturing

Operations Manager - Food Manufacturing

Are you an experienced Operations Manager with a strong background in manufacturing, production or FMCG? Do you enjoy being hands-on, improving processes and driving operational excellence?

We are seeking a proactive and experienced Operations Manager to join a well-established food manufacturing operation based in Haslemere.

This is an excellent opportunity for a practical, improvement-focused professional to take ownership of health and safety, operational standards, equipment reliability and continuous improvement within a busy production environment.

Working closely with production, procurement and inventory teams, you will play a key role in identifying operational challenges, implementing effective solutions and ensuring the site operates safely, efficiently and to the highest quality standards.

Health & Safety

• Take ownership of Health & Safety across the site, ensuring a safe working environment.
• Develop, maintain and continuously improve H&S standards and procedures.
• Identify and manage operational risks, ensuring appropriate controls are in place.

Operational Standards & SOPs

• Manage and maintain the site''s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Develop, review and implement procedures to ensure safe, consistent and efficient operations.
• Drive compliance with established operational standards across the site.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, safety, productivity and reliability.
• Investigate recurring operational issues, identify root causes and implement sustainable solutions.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives and operational improvement projects.
• Work collaboratively with teams to embed and maintain improvements.

Maintenance & Equipment Reliability

• Oversee planned preventative maintenance (PPM) programmes and equipment reliability.
• Manage an Operations Coordinator and external maintenance contractors.
• Ensure maintenance activities are effectively planned and completed.
• Identify and resolve recurring equipment issues to minimise downtime.

Food Safety & Compliance

• Maintain high standards of food safety and operational compliance.
• Oversee HACCP, GMP and BRCGS compliance requirements.
• Ensure operational processes and controls remain effective and audit-ready.

Operational Development

• Provide technical and operational expertise when introducing new equipment, products and processes.
• Support wider operational teams to improve performance and efficiency.
• Work closely with the management team to drive operational excellence across the site.

• Proven experience within a manufacturing or production environment, ideally within food manufacturing or FMCG.
• Strong practical Health & Safety knowledge, supported by an IOSH or NEBOSH qualification.
• Experience developing, implementing and managing Standard Operating Procedures.
• A proven track record of delivering continuous improvement initiatives and resolving operational challenges.
• Experience overseeing maintenance activities and improving equipment reliability.
• Knowledge of food safety standards, including HACCP, GMP and BRCGS.