Head of Operations

About the Company

Our client is scaling a new generation of high performance; home compostable packaging made from agricultural by-products.

This is a unique opportunity for a commercially minded operations leader who is looking to progress into a future Chief Operating Officer (COO) position as the company continues to grow.

The Role

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• We need an ambitious manufacturing leader who can build systems, strengthen management capability, commission automation and create the disciplined operating rhythm required for sustained growth.
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• The Factory / Operations Manager will take full responsibility for the day-to-day management of the manufacturing facility (12,000 sq/ft). Ensuring safe, efficient and cost-effective operations while developing a high-performing team.
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Key Responsibilities

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• Build practical capacity plans across labour, equipment, moulds, racks, growing and drying, then identify and remove the bottlenecks that restrict safety, quality, output, cost or delivery.
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• Maintain a visible safety culture, full audit readiness, robust quality controls, complete traceability and disciplined investigation of incidents, defects and deviations.
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• Implement Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, 5S, standard work, visual management and structured root cause analysis across the production operation.
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• Lead and develop operational managers, engineers, technicians, shift leaders and production teams, setting clear standards for behavior, accountability and performance.
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Essential Experience

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• A Master’s degree, such as an MSc or MEng, in Engineering, Science or a closely related discipline.
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• Substantial and sustained senior leadership experience in technically complex, high volume manufacturing, with a strong record of operational improvement over a number of years.
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• Experience leading sizeable, multi shift manufacturing teams in a high care, high risk or highly controlled food manufacturing environment, complex automated food production or a comparable regulated operation.
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• Practical experience of PLC controlled manufacturing systems, industrial automation and the commissioning or optimisation of production equipment.
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