Operations Manager - #193737

About Meadow

Meadow collaborates with leading global food manufacturers, addressing their intricate needs and solving complex challenges. From maintaining a secure and stable supply base to producing bespoke ingredients at scale, ensuring supply traceability, and pioneering sustainable futures, we are unwaveringly committed to excellence

We are seeking an experienced and driven Operations Manager to oversee all operational activities at our busy dairy production facility in Peterborough. This senior role is key to ensuring the efficient, safe, and cost-effective production of high-quality dairy products, including milk, cream and custard.

The successful candidate will bring strong leadership experience from a dairy or cultured-products environment and will champion operational excellence, food safety, and a continuous improvement culture across the site.

Working hours for this role are from Monday - Friday 08:00am - 16:30pm with a 30 minute unpaid lunch.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop multi-disciplinary teams across dairy & packing, and logistics.
• Set and review performance targets, ensuring objectives are met or exceeded.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and high-performance culture.

Operational Delivery

• Oversee daily production and packing to meet customer demand.
• Optimise resource allocation, minimise waste, and improve process efficiency.
• Monitor and act on key KPIs including output, downtime, and production efficiency.
• Drive continuous improvement activity using lean principles.

Quality, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with HACCP, BRC, and all relevant regulatory standards.
• Promote a strong health & safety culture and ensure full adherence to HSE regulations.
• Partner with Technical teams to maintain quality standards and address non-conformances through robust root-cause and corrective action processes.

Financial & Strategic Management

• Manage operational budgets, controlling costs across labour, raw materials, and maintenance.
• Support strategic planning including forecasting, capital investment, and site development projects.
• Work with supply chain and procurement teams to maintain a consistent and cost-effective supply of raw materials.

Person Specification

Essential

• Proven experience as an Operations Manager within food manufacturing — dairy experience essential.
• In-depth knowledge of HACCP, BRC, and food safety regulations.
• Track record of leading and developing large operational teams.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and experience driving continuous improvement.
• Excellent communication, coaching, and interpersonal skills.

Desirable

• Degree in Food Science, Engineering, or related discipline.
• Experience with lean manufacturing and/or Six Sigma methodologies.
• Health & Safety qualification (e.g. NEBOSH).

Why Join Us?

• Opportunity to lead a flagship dairy manufacturing operation.
• Key role in shaping the performance and future growth of the site.

This is not a full description for the role. A full job description can be provided upon request during the interview stage. Please note applications are being reviewed while this role is advertised and may close earlier if a high number of applications are received.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Benefits:

• On-site parking

Work Location: In person