Operations Manager - Food Manufacturing

About the role

We are looking for an experienced Operations Manager to lead health and safety, operational standards, equipment reliability and continuous improvement within our busy food manufacturing site in Haslemere.

Key responsibilities

• Take ownership of health and safety, develop and improve H&S standards and manage operational risks.
• Maintain and enhance site Standard Operating Procedures to ensure safe, consistent and efficient operations.
• Identify and drive continuous improvement initiatives to boost efficiency, safety, productivity and reliability.
• Oversee planned preventative maintenance programmes, manage an Operations Coordinator and external contractors, and resolve recurring equipment issues.
• Maintain high food‑safety standards, overseeing HACCP, GMP and BRCGS compliance and ensuring audit‑ready processes.
• Provide technical expertise for new equipment, products and processes and support wider teams to improve performance.

Required profile

• Proven experience in a manufacturing or production environment, preferably food manufacturing or FMCG.
• Strong practical health‑and‑safety knowledge supported by an IOSH or NEBOSH qualification.
• Experience developing, implementing and managing Standard Operating Procedures.
• Track record of delivering continuous‑improvement projects and solving operational challenges.
• Experience overseeing maintenance activities and improving equipment reliability.
• Knowledge of food‑safety standards including HACCP, GMP and BRCGS.

Required skills

• IOSH qualification
• NEBOSH qualification
• HACCP knowledge
• GMP knowledge
• BRCGS knowledge
• Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) expertise