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Head of Operations

West Midlands Permanent £85,000 - £90,000 per year View Job Description
The Head of Operations is responsible for managing third-party manufacturing and warehousing partners, ensuring strong performance across service, cost, quality, and compliance. The role oversees operational delivery from bulk availability through to finished goods, supports New Product Development, leads the technical and quality agenda, and ensures accurate stock, data, and financial control.
  • Senior ownership of end-to-end operations
  • Real autonomy and influence on strategy and improvement

About Our Client

This is an opportunity to join a global, market‑leading FMCG business with a strong heritage and an even stronger focus on the future. Known for combining scale with innovation, the organisation invests heavily in its people, values long‑term thinking, and encourages collaboration across functions and regions. Employees benefit from genuine ownership, exposure to senior stakeholders, and the chance to make a visible impact in a fast‑moving, high‑quality environment.

Job Description

Strategic & Leadership

  • Contribute to the long-term supply chain vision with clear milestones and delivery plans
  • Actively participate in senior management forums, shaping operational priorities and performance
  • Lead, develop, and manage the operational team, including performance, engagement, and progression
  • Provide cover for senior supply chain leadership where required



Manufacturing & Warehousing Operations

  • Manage and optimise third-party manufacturing and warehousing contracts
  • Lead contract reviews, renegotiation's, and mid-term amendments
  • Drive performance and continuous improvement through reviews, targets, and projects
  • Ensure manufacturing and warehousing capacity aligns with current and future demand
  • Approve bottling and warehousing invoices and manage operational budgets



Quality, Technical & Compliance

  • Own the quality agenda, including technical reviews, complaint investigation, and root cause analysis
  • Support and oversee the technical function to ensure food safety, legal, and ethical compliance
  • Ensure products and packaging meet all regulatory requirements



Supply, Stock & Data Control

  • Ensure accurate reconciliation of physical stock and system records across bulk and warehouse locations
  • Maintain high standards of master data accuracy, bills of materials, and specifications
  • Coordinate bulk availability to minimise supply gaps while maintaining quality and specification targets



Innovation & Value Engineering

  • Ensure innovation and NPD projects are delivered on time and to specification
  • Coordinate operational elements of product rework and promotional activity
  • Identify and deliver value engineering opportunities
  • Lead materials tenders, manage pricing files, and negotiated minimum order quantities



Financial & Performance Management

  • Manage and track departmental KPIs and performance against targets
  • Coordinate operational inputs related to taxes and levies (e.g. packaging-related charges)
  • Support improvements in customer service through operational excellence



The Successful Applicant

  • Ideally degree educated or equivalent
  • Proven experience managing manufacturing and warehousing operations, ideally within FMCG
  • Contract manufacturing experience is highly desirable
  • Regular national UK travel, and some European and International travel expected for this role
  • Ideal home location for the successful applicant is the West Midlands or the North of England

What's on Offer

  • Competitive salary ranging up to £90k per annum.
  • Permanent position in a reputable company within the FMCG sector.
  • Opportunity to lead and shape operations within a thriving organisation.
  • Engaging work environment with a focus on innovation and excellence.



If you are an experienced professional seeking a leadership role in the FMCG industry, we encourage you to apply and take the next step in your career.

Contact
Beth Horsley
Quote job ref
JN-042026-7001431
Phone number
+44 113 243 7721

Job summary

Job function
Engineering & Manufacturing
Subsector
Operations Management
Sector
FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods)
Location
West Midlands
Contract type
Permanent
Consultant name
Beth Horsley
Consultant phone
+44 113 243 7721
Job reference
JN-042026-7001431