Head of Operations
Leinster | Food Manufacturing | Senior Leadership Opportunity
Our client is a long-established and highly respected food manufacturing business with a strong reputation for quality, innovation, and customer service. Supplying a diverse customer base across retail and foodservice channels, the business continues to invest in its people, processes, and facilities as part of an ambitious growth strategy.
Due to continued expansion, they are seeking an experienced Head of Operations to join their senior leadership team and take full responsibility for operational performance across a large-scale, 24/7 manufacturing site.
The Opportunity
Reporting directly to the CEO, this is a key leadership role responsible for overseeing Production, Dispatch, and Stores operations across a busy manufacturing facility. Leading a workforce of 150+ employees, you will drive operational excellence, continuous improvement, quality standards, and people development while ensuring the business remains customer-focused, efficient, and commercially competitive.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic and operational leadership across Production, Dispatch, and Stores functions, ensuring the delivery of key performance metrics relating to quality, service, efficiency, cost control, and customer satisfaction.
- Drive a culture of operational excellence through continuous improvement, Lean Manufacturing principles, robust performance management, and data-led decision making, identifying opportunities to enhance productivity, reduce waste, and maximise site capacity.
- Champion the highest standards of food safety, quality, health & safety, and regulatory compliance, ensuring the business remains audit-ready and aligned with customer, retailer, and statutory requirements.
- Lead, develop, and inspire a workforce of 150+ employees, fostering a high-performance culture built on accountability, engagement, communication, and continuous development.
- Collaborate closely with senior leadership and support functions to deliver business objectives, support strategic growth initiatives, capital investment projects, and long-term operational planning.
- Ensure operational resources, budgets, equipment, and processes are effectively managed to deliver sustainable performance improvements while maintaining exceptional service levels and operational reliability.
Candidate Profile
We are interested in speaking with experienced operations leaders who have a strong track record within food manufacturing, fresh food time-sensitive environments.
You will have:
- Significant experience in a senior operations, production, manufacturing, or site leadership role
- Proven success managing large teams within a high-volume manufacturing environment.
- Strong experience driving operational performance through Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Excellent knowledge of health & safety, quality systems, and food manufacturing compliance standards.
- Demonstrated ability to lead change, influence stakeholders, and deliver measurable business improvements.
- Strong commercial acumen with experience managing budgets, operational costs, and performance metrics.
- Exceptional leadership, communication, and people management skills.
- A hands-on, results-driven approach with strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
Why Apply?
This is an outstanding opportunity to join a successful and growing food manufacturing business with a proud heritage and ambitious plans for the future. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping operational strategy, leading a significant workforce, and driving performance across a critical area of the business.
Offering genuine influence at senior leadership level, this role provides the opportunity to make a lasting impact within a well-established organisation committed to continuous improvement, investment, and long-term growth.
For a confidential discussion regarding this opportunity, please contact Vickerstock.
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