Operations Director

Operations Director (Packaging)

• Location: Newcastle (with travel)
• Salary: £75,000 - £85,000 + Benefits

Reed Food & FMCG is excited to partner with a market-leading packaging business in search of an experienced Operations Director. This pivotal leadership role involves overseeing and enhancing operations across manufacturing, supply chain, logistics, quality, and health & safety. Your strategic insight and operational acumen will be crucial in refining processes, enhancing efficiency, and driving sustainable, profitable growth. This role offers a unique chance to significantly shape the future of our operations while closely aligning with the company’s long-term objectives.

Day-to-Day of the Role:

Strategic Management:

• Design and implement long-term operational strategies that align with overarching business objectives to drive sustainable growth.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives to increase productivity and reduce operational costs throughout the organisation.
• Establish and monitor KPIs to gauge productivity, quality, and customer satisfaction, ensuring ongoing enhancement.

Leadership:

• Propel strategic initiatives that boost growth, profitability, and long-term operational resilience.
• Oversee daily operations across multiple production sites, ensuring optimal performance, efficiency, and output.
• Manage capital expenditure (CAPEX) projects, ensuring timely delivery within budget and strategic alignment.
• Provide KPI insights to the Board to support informed, strategic decision-making.

Financial Oversight:

• Analyse cost structures and pinpoint opportunities for cost savings and operational efficiencies.
• Develop, manage, and optimise the operational budget to ensure alignment with strategic goals and financial targets.

Manufacturing Oversight:

• Streamline plant operations by optimising scheduling, maintenance, and resource allocation to maximise uptime and throughput.
• Supervise key manufacturing processes, ensuring efficiency and quality across all production lines.

Quality Assurance:

• Lead quality and sustainability initiatives to improve product consistency, reduce waste, and foster continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with ISO standards, environmental regulations, BRC requirements, and health & safety protocols across all operations.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in a senior leadership role, ideally within the packaging/FMCG industry or a closely related manufacturing sector.
• Strong expertise in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma methodologies, and ERP systems to drive operational excellence.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and analytical problem-solving skills, with a proven track record of leading high-performing teams.
• Experience managing multi-site operations, ensuring consistency, efficiency, and strategic alignment across locations.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary package
• Opportunity to lead and shape key operations within a leading company
• Involvement in strategic decision-making processes
• Comprehensive benefits package

FMCG | Packaging | Food Packaging | BRC | Operations Director | Newcastle