Head of Operations

We're working with a growing, values-led food and beverage business that has built a strong reputation around quality, sustainability and great customer experiences. They're now looking for a Head of Operations to take ownership of their end-to-end operations and help build the infrastructure needed for the next stage of growth. This is a role for someone who enjoys being close to the detail, but who can also step back and think strategically. You'll own:

• Running production operations, ensuring on time production, quality and customer delivery
• Production and capacity planning
• Procurement of packaging and consumables
• S&OP and demand planning
• Inventory and stock management
• Fulfilment and logistics
• Operational budgets and cost management
• Health & Safety, compliance and risk
• Continuous improvement and automation The operation is entering an exciting period of change and growth, so this isn't about simply keeping things ticking over. You'll be expected to look at how things work today, challenge them, and make them better. That could mean introducing more effective planning processes, improving production flow, reducing waste, strengthening supplier relationships, improving data accuracy or identifying opportunities to automate repetitive work. The role will also have a real opportunity to bring AI and automation into the way the operation runs. What will you be doing? You'll lead the Operations and Customer Experience teams, building a high-performing, solutions-focused culture while maintaining a hands-on approach when the operation needs it. A big part of the role will be developing a robust S&OP process, translating demand into practical decisions around packaging, capacity and production. You'll also drive lean manufacturing and continuous improvement, leading change and automation projects from business case through to implementation. Alongside this, you'll own relationships with third-party production and logistics partners, ensuring suppliers deliver against agreed SLAs, quality and service expectations. And while this is a senior leadership role, you won't be someone who manages from a distance. What we're looking for We're looking for an experienced operations leader who has worked in food, beverage or FMCG manufacturing and knows what good looks like in a fast-moving operational environment. You'll ideally bring:
• Strong experience leading manufacturing/operations teams in an SME business
• A willingness to be hands on in the operation
• Experience delivering measurable operational improvements
• Strong understanding of procurement, inventory and production planning
• Excellent commercial and budget management skills
• Experience leading teams through change
• A data-driven approach to decision making The role is based in central London and will require someone happy to be on site more often than working hybrid, due to the nature of the operational team being on site. However, flexibility and hybrid is available!