Site Director

Site Director – Food manufacturing

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A rare opportunity to lead the transformation, growth and future direction of a strategically important food manufacturing operation.

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There are very few Site Director opportunities that genuinely offer the chance to shape the future of a business both at operational & Board level; this is one of them.

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We are seeking an exceptional manufacturing leader to take responsibility for a profitable, growing food manufacturing operation employing approximately 200 colleagues and supplying major customers.

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The business has ambitious growth plans, significant capital investment committed, a clear long-term strategy and an opportunity to substantially enhance capability, performance and operational excellence over the coming years.

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Reporting directly to the Managing Director and operating as a key member of the senior leadership team (Board), this role combines strategic leadership, operational excellence, organisational development & large-scale transformation.

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The Business

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The site is a well-established food manufacturing operation with a strong reputation, loyal workforce & long-standing customer relationships.

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The business has performed strongly and continues to enjoy significant growth opportunities within the QSR & foodservice sectors.

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Over the next five years the site is expected to play a pivotal role in delivering the organisation's growth ambitions and will benefit from a substantial multi-million-pound investment programme focused on facilities, equipment, infrastructure & operational capability.

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The Challenge

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The successful candidate will inherit a site with significant strengths but also clear opportunities for improvement.

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Whilst commercial performance remains strong, the business recognises the need to further strengthen:

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• Leadership capability.
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• Accountability and ownership.
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• Pace of decision making.
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• Operational discipline.
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• Continuous improvement culture.
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• Engineering effectiveness.
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• Cross-functional collaboration.
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• Adoption of digital operational excellence tools.
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• Future succession capability.
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The site requires a leader who can simultaneously deliver today's operational requirements whilst building the capability required for tomorrow's growth.

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This is a role for someone who enjoys creating clarity, structure and momentum within complex manufacturing environments.

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The Opportunity

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Lead a Significant Growth Agenda

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• Support substantial revenue growth.
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• Expand operational capability.
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• Increase organisational capacity.
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• Ensure the site is equipped to support future customer demand.
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Deliver Major Investment Programmes

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• Play a key leadership role in a significant capital investment programme.
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• Support refurbishment and modernisation projects.
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• Work closely with engineering, projects and supply chain teams.
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• Ensure operational continuity throughout periods of change.
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Build a High-Performing Leadership Team

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• Develop capability across the site leadership team.
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• Strengthen accountability and ownership.
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• Create succession plans for key roles.
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• Raise expectations and standards throughout the operation.
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Drive Operational Excellence

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• Improve performance management disciplines.
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• Increase effectiveness of operational review processes.
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• Enhance utilisation of digital factory systems and tools.
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• Embed continuous improvement methodologies.
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• Improve productivity, engagement and operational performance.
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Shape Culture

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• Create greater pace and energy.
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• Foster collaboration across functions.
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• Build confidence and capability.
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• Develop a culture where individuals take ownership and make decisions.
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• Lead through influence, visibility and credibility.
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What Success Will Look Like

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• Established yourself as a trusted and respected leader.
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• Created a clear vision for the site.
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• Improved leadership capability.
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• Increased accountability at all levels.
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• Enhanced operational discipline and standards.
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• Driven meaningful progress against operational excellence objectives.
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• Supported key investment projects.
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• Positioned the site for sustainable future growth.
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About You

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You are an accomplished manufacturing leader with a proven track record of delivering results through people.

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You understand that transformation is not achieved through process alone, it is achieved through leadership.

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You are likely to bring:

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• Degree educated or equivalent
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• Significant food manufacturing experience.
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• Site Director, Site General Manager, Operations Director or equivalent leadership experience.
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• Experience leading complex manufacturing operations.
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• Strong engineering and operational understanding.
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• Experience delivering change and transformation.
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• A track record of improving standards and performance.
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• Experience developing leadership teams.
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• Strong stakeholder management skills.
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• Experience operating within matrix structures.
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• Customer-facing credibility.
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• Commercial awareness and business acumen.
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Most importantly, you possess the leadership presence, resilience and emotional intelligence required to lead a business through significant growth and change.

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Particularly Relevant Experience Could Include

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• Food manufacturing.
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• Chilled, ambient or ingredients manufacturing.
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• Operational Excellence programmes.
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• Lean manufacturing environments.
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• Continuous Improvement leadership.
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• Redzone or equivalent connected workforce platforms.
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• Major capital investment programmes.
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• Culture change initiatives.
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Leadership Style Required

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• Set high standards.
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• Hold people accountable.
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• Develop capability.
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• Build trust.
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• Influence stakeholders.
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• Challenge constructively.
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• Lead visible change.
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• Bring people with them on the journey.
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Why Consider This Opportunity?

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• Significant strategic influence.
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• Direct exposure to senior leadership and board-level decision making.
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• The opportunity to lead a major transformation agenda.
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• Responsibility for a strategically important manufacturing operation.
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• Substantial investment backing.
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• Long-term career potential.
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• The opportunity to create a lasting legacy.
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Confidential enquiries are welcomed and will be handled with complete discretion.