Manufacturing Director (Multi-Site)

A major UK food manufacturing group is seeking an experienced Manufacturing Director to lead operational performance, leadership capability and strategic manufacturing execution across a multi-site manufacturing network.

This is a high-impact leadership role within a large-scale, fast-paced 24/7 manufacturing environment, offering the opportunity to influence operational strategy, shape future manufacturing capability and play a key role in the long-term leadership succession of the group.

The business is looking for a commercially minded manufacturing leader who can combine operational grip, cultural leadership and strategic thinking across multiple sites and senior leadership teams.

Reporting into the Group Operations Director, you will lead a team of Site Directors across several UK manufacturing facilities, driving consistency, accountability and operational excellence across safety, quality, service, cost and people performance.

This role is far more than site leadership.

You will be expected to:

• Drive operational and financial performance across a complex manufacturing network
• Build stronger leadership capability and succession across operations
• Improve consistency, best practice and performance standards across sites
• Support long-term manufacturing strategy, investment and footprint planning
• Lead cultural and behavioural alignment across manufacturing operations
• Partner cross-functionally across Engineering, Supply Chain, HR, Technical and Commercial teams
• Contribute to transformation and continuous improvement initiatives across the group

The position requires a visible, engaging and highly credible operational leader capable of balancing strategic direction with hands-on leadership support across manufacturing operations.

We are interested in speaking with senior manufacturing leaders who can demonstrate:

• Significant leadership experience within UK food manufacturing
• Proven multi-site operational leadership capability
• Strong experience within high-volume, fast-paced 24/7 manufacturing environments
• A track record of improving operational performance, efficiency and leadership capability
• Experience developing Site Directors and senior operational leadership teams
• Strong commercial and financial awareness alongside operational delivery
• The ability to influence at executive and operational level alike

Exposure to beverages, dairy, chilled, FMCG or process-led manufacturing environments would be advantageous.

The successful individual will be:

• Pragmatic and resilient
• Commercially aware and data-driven
• Calm under pressure
• Values-led and people-focused
• Strategic but delivery-oriented
• Visible, engaging and capable of building trust quickly

This is an opportunity to join a well-established and respected manufacturing business at a critical stage of operational and strategic development.

The platform, investment and ambition are already in place.

The next step is strengthening operational alignment, leadership capability and manufacturing performance across the group.

For the right individual, this role offers genuine long-term progression potential within a large-scale manufacturing environment.

For a confidential discussion, please contact: Carl Walker

Given the sensitivity of this appointment, all approaches and discussions will remain strictly confidential. Further detail will be shared under NDA.