Operations Manager

Role Purpose,

Join Lactalis at our Clayville Team as an Operations Manager, responsible for leading and optimizing the manufacturing operations, ensuring the delivery of safety, quality, service, cost, and people development objectives.

This role provides strategic and operational leadership across production and related functions, driving operational excellence, continuous improvement, and sustainable business performance. The successful candidate will play a key role in strengthening manufacturing capability, developing leadership within the site, and building a high-performing culture.

For individuals demonstrating exceptional performance, leadership capability, and business acumen, this role offers significant long-term growth opportunities within the organisation.

,

Requirements,

• Degree or Diploma in Engineering, Operations Management, Food Technology, or related field.
• Minimum 8-10 years’ FMCG manufacturing experience.
• At least 5 years in a senior operations leadership role.
• Proven experience leading large teams in a complex manufacturing environment.
• Dairy experience advantageous.

,

Duties and Responsibilities,

Operational Leadership

• Lead and manage manufacturing operations to achieve safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity objectives.
• Translate business objectives into operational plans and ensure effective execution across all areas of responsibility.
• Drive operational excellence through continuous improvement, process optimisation, waste reduction, and productivity enhancement initiatives.
• Ensure production plans are executed efficiently while maintaining the highest standards of quality and food safety.
• Monitor operational performance through KPIs and implement corrective actions to address deviations and improve results.
• Ensure optimal utilisation of labour, materials, equipment, and utilities to maximise plant performance.

Financial & Business Performance

• Manage operating costs and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and profitability.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and cost-control activities within the operation.
• Drive initiatives that deliver sustainable savings while maintaining service and quality standards.
• Develop and utilise performance dashboards and management reporting tools to support informed decision-making.

People Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead, coach, and develop a growing management team and workforce to build capability and accountability.
• Foster a culture of ownership, collaboration, engagement, and continuous improvement.
• Drive performance management processes and support succession planning across the operation.
• Identify and develop future leaders within the business through coaching, mentoring, and structured development plans.
• Promote effective communication and strong employee relations throughout the site.

Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with all health, safety, environmental, food safety, and legal requirements.
• Championing a proactive safety culture and ensuring safe work practices are consistently applied.
• Support and maintain quality management systems to ensure compliance with Lactalis and regulatory standards.
• Lead investigations into operational incidents and ensure corrective and preventative actions are implemented effectively.

Competencies

• Strong leadership and people development capability.
• Strategic thinking with a hands-on operational approach.
• Commercial and financial acumen.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills.

What Success Looks Like

• Quickly establish credibility within the operation.
• Deliver measurable improvements in safety, quality, service, cost and people development.
• Demonstrate leadership, capability and results that contribute to the long-term success of the business.