Head of Operations | Haverhill

Head of Operations | Sofina Foods UK – Chilled & Cooked Manufacturing

Location: UK (5 days onsite) + regular travel to Malton for SLT meetings
Salary: Competitive + car allowance, bonus, pension, enhanced sick pay, private medical insurance, relocation assistance
Contract Type: Permanent | Full-Time | Senior Leadership
Industry: Food Manufacturing | Chilled & Cooked Meats | Executive

Shape the Future of a Flagship UK Manufacturing Site

Sofina Foods is seeking an experienced Head of Operations to lead one of its largest UK manufacturing facilities — producing high-risk cooked and chilled products, including sliced meats, for major retail customers.

This is a pivotal senior leadership role responsible for delivering operational excellence, driving transformation, and embedding best practice across all site functions. You’ll have the autonomy and influence to make this site Sofina’s UK flagship operation.

The Role

As Head of Operations, you will lead the full site function — delivering efficient, safe, and high-quality production while developing the people, systems, and culture needed for sustainable performance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead all site operations ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant manufacturing of chilled and cooked (RTE) products.

• Achieve KPI targets across yield, labour efficiency, waste reduction, and customer service.

• Build and mentor a high-performing leadership team that promotes accountability and engagement.

• Ensure full compliance with food safety, health & safety, legal, and retailer standards.

• Champion continuous improvement through process optimisation, lean initiatives, and people development.

• Collaborate with Technical, HR, Commercial, and Supply Chain teams to deliver site and group goals.

• Represent the site with customers, auditors, and senior stakeholders with confidence and professionalism.

About You

You’re a visible, hands-on operations leader who brings clarity, direction, and results to complex environments.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

• Proven track record leading large-scale chilled food or protein manufacturing operations.

• Strong knowledge of high-risk (cooked) production and multi-protein processing (pork preferred).

• Experienced in turnaround or performance transformation within FMCG manufacturing.

• Inspirational people leader who develops teams and drives a culture of ownership.

• Excellent communicator capable of influencing across all levels, from shop floor to boardroom.

Why Join Sofina Foods?

Sofina Foods employs over 13,000 people across 40 sites in Canada and Europe, supplying the UK’s major retailers with trusted meat and seafood brands.

This role offers:

• Competitive salary + comprehensive benefits (car allowance, bonus, pension, private medical).

• The opportunity to lead a strategically critical UK site.

• Professional development and internal promotion pathways.

• A values-led culture committed to safety, quality, and sustainability.

Sofina Foods is proud to be an equal opportunities employer, welcoming applicants from all backgrounds.

How to Apply

Apply now to lead, transform, and inspire at Sofina Foods UK.
📩 Send your CV and cover letter to the Sofina Foods recruitment team.
🌐 Learn more: www.sofinafoods.com