Head Of Operations

The Opportunity

Halmer Group is recruiting a Head of Operations for a growing FMCG food and drink manufacturer in Farnham, Surrey.

This is a permanent, senior manufacturing leadership position offering a salary of up to £80,000 per annum, depending on experience. You will take responsibility for safe and efficient end-to-end production, covering processing and bottling through to warehousing.

Combining strategic planning with a visible presence on the factory floor, you will strengthen operational systems, improve performance and develop a high-performing, multidisciplinary team as the business grows.

This opportunity would suit an experienced Head of Operations, Manufacturing Manager, Production Director or senior FMCG operations leader with substantial food or drink manufacturing experience.

The position is based primarily on site in Farnham and includes opportunities for UK and international travel. Some home working may become available over time, subject to successful onboarding and operational requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead daily manufacturing and production operations across all shifts.
• Ensure labour, equipment and materials are used safely and efficiently.
• Own production planning and scheduling in partnership with Supply Chain.
• Ensure production meets customer demand, service levels and capacity requirements.
• Provide visible leadership on the factory floor.
• Troubleshoot production issues and lead practical root-cause investigations.
• Lead, coach and develop a large, multidisciplinary and shift-based workforce.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, training and performance management.
• Maintain compliance with HACCP, GMP, food safety, quality, legal and health and safety requirements.
• Support customer, third-party and regulatory audits.
• Implement operational changes and develop robust, scalable manufacturing processes.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to reduce waste and downtime, improve efficiency and increase output.
• Own operational KPIs covering output, waste, downtime, labour efficiency and service levels.
• Manage labour costs, overtime and operational budgets.
• Contribute operational insight to growth and capital-investment plans.
• Work closely with Planning, Purchasing, Quality and Logistics as part of the senior operations leadership team.

Requirements

Essential

• Proven senior operations or production leadership experience within FMCG food or drink manufacturing.
• Strong experience managing end-to-end manufacturing operations across multiple departments or functions.
• A successful record of leading and developing large, multidisciplinary teams, including shift-based employees.
• HACCP Level 3 or above, or an equivalent Level 3 food safety qualification.
• A degree in Business Management or a closely related discipline, such as Food Science or Engineering.
• Working knowledge of GMP, food safety legislation and manufacturing audit requirements.
• Demonstrable experience delivering continuous improvement, systems implementation, waste reduction and efficiency gains.
• Experience managing manufacturing KPIs, labour costs and operational budgets.
• A full UK driving licence.
• Willingness to travel within the UK and internationally.

Desirable

• A recognised health and safety qualification, such as IOSH Managing Safely or equivalent.
• Technical or engineering experience supporting equipment, process or manufacturing-system improvements.
• Experience scaling production during a period of business growth.
• Knowledge of supply chain and production planning.
• Exposure to capital investment or equipment procurement.

Skills and Qualities

• Practical, credible and visible leadership style.
• Comfortable working on the factory floor and contributing to senior-level discussions.
• Clear and confident communication at every level.
• Strong analytical and data-led decision-making skills.
• Calm and effective under operational pressure.
• High standards of integrity, food safety and people management.
• Commercial awareness and sound budget management.
• Strong problem-solving and root-cause analysis skills.
• Ambition to improve operations and support sustainable business growth.

Working Location and Travel

The position is based in Farnham, Surrey, and requires regular on-site attendance.

The successful candidate must be willing to travel within the UK and internationally. A full UK driving licence is essential.

Some home working may become available in the future once the successful candidate has completed their onboarding and where operational requirements allow. This is primarily a site-led operational role.

What’s On Offer

• Salary of up to £80,000 per annum, depending on experience.
• Permanent, full-time employment.
• 37.5-hour working week.
• Monday-to-Friday working pattern.
• Stated working hours of 9.00am–5.30pm.
• Opportunities for UK and international travel.
• Potential for some home working in the future, subject to onboarding and operational requirements.
• Senior responsibility within a growing FMCG food and drink manufacturer.
• Opportunity to strengthen operations and support the business through its next stage of growth.

Benefits

private health assurance and insurance, performance-based bonus of up to 20% of yearly salary, income protection, enhanced family leave policies, hybrid work for most office roles, on-site gym, health & wellbeing scheme where employees can claim up to £60 a month for anything health-related (i.e. Gym membership, massage), EAP, and free product

How to Apply

This role is being recruited by Halmer Group on behalf of our client.

We would like to hear from experienced Heads of Operations, Manufacturing Managers, Production Directors and senior FMCG operations leaders with substantial food or drink manufacturing expertise.

Please send your CV to halmergroup@halmer.co.uk, outlining your leadership experience, HACCP qualification and examples of operational improvement.

All applications will be treated in strict confidence.