Operations Manager - Food Manufacturing

Operations Manager - Food Manufacturing

Are you an experienced Operations Manager with a strong background in manufacturing, production or FMCG? Do you enjoy being hands-on, improving processes and driving operational excellence?

We are seeking a proactive and experienced Operations Manager to join a well-established food manufacturing operation based in Haslemere.

This is an excellent opportunity for a practical, improvement-focused professional to take ownership of health and safety, operational standards, equipment reliability and continuous improvement within a busy production environment.

Working closely with production, procurement and inventory teams, you will play a key role in identifying operational challenges, implementing effective solutions and ensuring the site operates safely, efficiently and to the highest quality standards.

Key Responsibilities

Health & Safety

Take ownership of Health & Safety across the site, ensuring a safe working environment.
Develop, maintain and continuously improve H&S standards and procedures.
Identify and manage operational risks, ensuring appropriate controls are in place.Operational Standards & SOPs

Manage and maintain the site's Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Develop, review and implement procedures to ensure safe, consistent and efficient operations.
Drive compliance with established operational standards across the site.Continuous Improvement

Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, safety, productivity and reliability.
Investigate recurring operational issues, identify root causes and implement sustainable solutions.
Lead continuous improvement initiatives and operational improvement projects.
Work collaboratively with teams to embed and maintain improvements.Maintenance & Equipment Reliability

Oversee planned preventative maintenance (PPM) programmes and equipment reliability.
Manage an Operations Coordinator and external maintenance contractors.
Ensure maintenance activities are effectively planned and completed.
Identify and resolve recurring equipment issues to minimise downtime.Food Safety & Compliance

Maintain high standards of food safety and operational compliance.
Oversee HACCP, GMP and BRCGS compliance requirements.
Ensure operational processes and controls remain effective and audit-ready.Operational Development

Provide technical and operational expertise when introducing new equipment, products and processes.
Support wider operational teams to improve performance and efficiency.
Work closely with the management team to drive operational excellence across the site.

About You

Proven experience within a manufacturing or production environment, ideally within food manufacturing or FMCG.
Strong practical Health & Safety knowledge, supported by an IOSH or NEBOSH qualification.
Experience developing, implementing and managing Standard Operating Procedures.
A proven track record of delivering continuous improvement initiatives and resolving operational challenges.
Experience overseeing maintenance activities and improving equipment reliability.
Knowledge of food safety standards, including HACCP, GMP and BRCGS
Only candidates based in UK and eligible to work in UK are allowed