Site Operations Manager

Site Operations Manager

Location: Cumbria
Direct Reports: Production Leadership Teams
 

Overview

Our client is seeking an experienced and commercially minded Site Operations Manager to join the senior leadership team of a complex manufacturing facility in Cumbria.

This is a critical leadership role with full operational responsibility for two major manufacturing areas. The successful candidate will drive safety, performance, customer service, operational excellence and continuous improvement whilst developing leadership capability across the site.

The role requires an individual capable of balancing strategic thinking with hands-on operational leadership, delivering sustainable improvements in productivity, efficiency, quality and employee engagement. The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting the Plant General Manager in achieving business objectives and driving a high-performance culture throughout the operation.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Lead and develop the manufacturing operation to deliver world-class safety, quality, service and cost performance.
• Ensure execution of production plans whilst optimising labour, equipment utilisation and manufacturing capacity.
• Drive operational performance against key business targets including productivity, efficiency, waste reduction and customer service metrics.
• Deliver budget commitments relating to production volumes, operational costs and capital expenditure.
• Ensure organisational structures, shift patterns and resource allocation are aligned to business requirements.

Continuous Improvement & Transformation

• Champion a culture of continuous improvement throughout the manufacturing operation.
• Lead performance improvement initiatives using Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen or equivalent methodologies.
• Identify opportunities to increase operational capability, reduce waste and improve overall equipment effectiveness.
• Support and lead business transformation projects that improve efficiency, service and profitability.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Serve as a visible safety leader, driving a proactive safety culture across all operational areas.
• Ensure compliance with all health, safety, environmental and company standards.
• Support the implementation and maintenance of site safety management systems and procedures.
• Develop employee awareness, engagement and accountability for safe working practices.

Quality & Customer Focus

• Ensure products are manufactured to required quality standards and customer specifications.
• Drive compliance with relevant food safety, hygiene and quality management systems.
• Lead operational responses to customer quality concerns and support continuous improvement of quality performance.
• Maintain strong alignment between operational performance and customer expectations.

People Leadership

• Build, coach and develop a high-performing operations leadership team.
• Create a culture focused on accountability, engagement, development and recognition.
• Support succession planning and talent development to strengthen the future leadership pipeline.
• Foster effective employee relations and maintain productive engagement with union representatives and employee groups.

Candidate Profile

We are seeking an experienced manufacturing leader who combines strong operational expertise with proven people leadership capability.

Essential Experience

• Significant senior operations leadership experience within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Proven track record of delivering operational improvements across safety, quality, cost and productivity.
• Experience leading large teams through change and transformation programmes.
• Strong financial awareness with responsibility for budgets, labour costs and operational expenditure.
• Demonstrated success in developing high-performing teams and leadership capability.

Desirable Experience

• Packaging, printing, converting or broader process manufacturing experience.
• Experience within highly regulated manufacturing environments.
• Working knowledge of SAP or similar ERP systems.
• Experience operating in unionised environments.