Oils Operations & Process Improvement Lead

Dyson Farming is a family-owned business, with a vision to benefit future generations through a commitment to commercially viable and environmentally sustainable food production at scale.  We strive to be industry leaders in efficient, carbon-neutral, high-technology agriculture, employing highly skilled, pioneering people and supported by research and development in an ever-closer partnership with our sister company, Dyson.  We see the future of agriculture as an exciting opportunity to improve the nation’s food security, health, and economic growth.

This hybrid role bridges innovation and execution, anchoring the operational excellence of the Oils press plant while driving continuous product improvement. The successful candidate will lead plant operations with a sharp focus on safety, efficiency, and quality, while also championing innovation in oil processing and product improvement.

Press Plant Operations

• Lead the daily operation and optimisation of the press plant.
• Manage all aspects of the end-to-end process including; start-up, shutdown, seed intake and cleaning, pressing, filtration, and bottling of oil.
• Monitor key performance metrics (e.g. yield, throughput, downtime) and proactively troubleshoot operational issues.
• Ensure strict compliance with safety protocols, SOPs, and environmental standards.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and improve oil quality.
• Manage warehousing facility including compliant storage of raw materials and finished goods.
• Ensure compliance with BRC standards is consistently maintained throughout all operations and processes

Crop Trials & Innovation

• Oversee trial work with new seed varieties and oil-bearing crops, assessing processing performance and oil characteristics.
• Collaborate closely with Dyson Farming Research and Farm teams to align crop development with plant capabilities.
• Provide operational input into varietal selection to support product quality, taste, nutrition and yield.

Process Support for NPD

• Support New Product Development through small-scale production trials and process validation
• Implement scalable processes for new ingredients and formats, ensuring commercial viability and operational readiness.
• Liaise with internal and external partners to align plant capabilities with product innovation goals.

Packaging & Commercial Integration

• Provide operational support for new packaging opportunities
• Coordinate with suppliers and commercial teams to ensure packaging formats align with plant processes and market requirements.
• Ensure all manufacturing processes and operational data are accurately inputted and tracked through the ERP system Epicor to support real-time monitoring, reporting, and process optimisation.

Strategic & Financial Oversight

• Track operational budgets linked to oils processing and NPD.
• Participate in strategic reviews and contribute to long-term planning.
• Ensure data capture from press plant aligns with commercial reporting needs.

Person Specification

• Proven experience in food manufacturing or agriculture is preferred.
• Operational knowledge of mechanical processes and plant workflows.
• Excellent project management and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Familiarity with ERP systems (e.g. Epicor) and digital transformation initiatives.
• Ability to support innovation and new product development by translating product concepts into scalable, efficient production processes.
• Full Driving License.
• Telehandler/Forklift experience - training can be given
• Health & Safety and HACCP certifications desirable.

• 24 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Life assurance;
• Pension scheme;
• Charitable Giving via payroll (Give as You Earn);
• Cycle to work scheme;
• Free annual flu jab;
• Free eye test;
• Employee Assistant Programme;
• Access to product discounts;
• Organised social events;
• Free parking.