Head of Production in Lincolnshire

Head of Production

Food Manufacturing

Lincolnshire

Growth is exciting, but growth within a premium food business creates a unique challenge.

As customer demand continues to increase, this established and highly respected business is investing in the future of its operations. With ambitious expansion plans already forming, including the long-term development of a standalone facility, they are looking for a talented operational leader to help shape the next chapter of their journey.

This is a business with an excellent reputation for quality, supplying premium products into discerning customer channels where standards matter and compromise isn't an option.

They're now looking for a Head of Production Operations who can lead from the front, develop people, drive performance and prepare the operation for future growth.

The Opportunity

Reporting into the senior leadership team, you'll take ownership of production across both the butchery and prepared vegetable operations, leading performance, productivity, quality, safety and profitability.

Whilst the title is Head of Production Operations, the opportunity extends far beyond the day-to-day management of production.

The successful candidate will play a key role in helping the business navigate future growth, increase operational capability and build the leadership foundations required for expansion. There is a genuine opportunity for this individual to help shape what the operation looks like in the years ahead and potentially lead a dedicated standalone butchery operation as the business continues to evolve.

This is a highly visible role requiring someone who enjoys being on the factory floor, developing teams, solving problems and driving standards rather than leading from behind a desk.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading all production operations across multiple facilities.
• Driving operational performance, productivity, yield and waste reduction.
• Developing supervisors and production teams to build capability for future growth.
• Delivering continuous improvement initiatives that increase efficiency and profitability.
• Ensuring customer orders are delivered on time, in full and to specification.
• Championing food safety, quality and health & safety standards throughout the operation.
• Managing operational budgets and driving commercial performance.
• Supporting investment, capacity expansion and future site development plans.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for a proven food manufacturing leader with a strong background within the meat sector.

This isn't an opportunity for an abattoir specialist. Instead, we're looking for someone who understands premium meat products, delivers exceptional quality standards and knows what good looks like within a high-care food production environment.

You'll likely bring:

• Significant production, operations or business unit leadership experience within the meat industry.
• Strong knowledge of premium cuts, yields, specifications and value optimisation.
• Experience supplying premium retail, foodservice or hospitality customers.
• A track record of developing teams and improving operational performance.
• Experience leading through periods of change, growth and organisational development.
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to balance service, quality, cost and profitability.
• A hands-on leadership style with high visibility across the operation.
• The confidence to challenge, improve and drive accountability throughout the business.

Most importantly, you'll be someone who can bring people with you. Someone who sets clear expectations, develops talent and builds a culture capable of supporting future expansion.

What's On Offer?

• Competitive salary
• 34 days holiday including bank holidays
• Private pension scheme via salary sacrifice
• Death in Service benefit (2x salary)
• Staff discount across the company's product range
• Genuine long-term career progression opportunities

This is an opportunity to join a successful premium food business at an exciting stage of its growth journey. You'll have the platform, autonomy and support to make a lasting impact while helping build an operation ready for its next phase of expansion.

For an ambitious meat industry leader who enjoys developing people, improving performance and driving growth, this is a rare opportunity to be part of something genuinely exciting.

If it sounds like the role for you, click apply or reach out to me directly at (url removed).